I didn't want to ruin the mood. Even though Isaac seemed nice, he gave me a strange feeling, but I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Isaac clearly panicked when he heard me. He quickly put his phone back in his pocket.
Frank: "Uh… nothing, I was just checking T*****r."
Liliana: "Isaac, don't stay glued to your phone while we're eating. We haven't seen each other in so long. Don't you want to spend more time with me today?"
Liliana looked at Isaac. She pouted unhappily, and he tensed up a little.
My instincts told me he was hiding something from Liliana. However, with Liliana's carefree personality, she certainly wouldn't suspect Isaac of anything. I didn't want to doubt him either, but I couldn't bear the idea of Liliana suffering a betrayal like I had. I didn't want my best friend to experience that kind of heartbreak. Yet Isaac kept checking his phone, sending messages on W******p from time to time, while Liliana congratulated me on my new job.
At one point, Isaac excused himself to go to the bathroom and left with his phone. He walked toward the restroom in a hurry.
I saw how anxious and uneasy he looked. That raised my suspicions: he definitely wasn't as honest as he appeared at first glance. Liliana was joyfully devouring her meal, completely unaware of Isaac's strange behavior.
Me: "Liliana, how does he treat you? What do you know about him?"
I looked at Liliana as she picked up her dish and asked quietly.
Liliana: "Isaac is an office worker, just like me. We work at the same company, but we're in different departments."
Liliana mumbled carelessly when I asked her about Isaac.
Me: "Does he treat you well? Do you meet often?"
I kept questioning her discreetly.
Liliana: "Irene, since when are you this curious? You weren't that curious about him before! Do you also think Isaac isn't a good guy?"
She was surprised — I had never shown interest before.
Me: "No, I'm just asking randomly."
I lowered my head, answered casually, then stopped talking. Isaac still hadn't returned to his seat after a long time. That only strengthened my suspicions. Even if he had gone to the bathroom, he should have been back by now.
Me: "Liliana, I need to go to the restroom too. Wait for me here."
I grabbed my phone and headed to the bathroom with a quick excuse. Before I even reached the restroom, I heard Isaac talking on the phone around the corner of the hallway.
Isaac: "Baby, it's true, I'm really working right now. I'll call you later, okay?"
I approached the hallway just as I heard him. Instantly, I hid behind the corner and stopped to listen.
Isaac: "How am I lying to you? Since when have I lied to you? I'll come to your place after work, alright?"
He was speaking softly. Even an idiot would know he was talking to another woman.
At that moment, I was filled with anger. He only looked reliable on the surface. I never expected him to be such a dishonest man.
How dare he flirt with another woman on the phone while being out with Liliana? Isaac hung up. I saw him walking toward me, but I didn't avoid him. I stood there and waited. Liliana was the only one who treated me sincerely. I would not let her suffer betrayal like I had.
Isaac looked more relaxed after hanging up. But his smile froze when he saw me.
Frank: "Irene, why are you here?"
He looked a bit embarrassed, avoiding my gaze.
Me: "I heard what you just said on the phone."
I said it directly. I had no positive feelings toward him anymore — I was convinced he wasn't a good man. His expression immediately turned guilty.
Frank: "Irene, I…"
He was anxious and tried to explain, but I cut him off before he could start.
Me: "Frank, let's talk over there. There are too many people around, you don't want anyone overhearing, right?"
I pointed toward a spot by the window at the end of the hallway. His expression stiffened, but he followed me — guilt was written all over him.
Me: "You were just on the phone with another woman, and you're in a romantic relationship with her. Am I right?"
I questioned him coldly. Thinking about how he was secretly cheating on Liliana made me furious. She was my best friend — I didn't want her to get hurt.
Frank: "Yes…"
He knew I had heard everything, so he didn't bother denying it.
Frank: "Irene, please don't tell Liliana."
He looked at me anxiously, almost begging.
Me: "Tell me the truth. Who do you love: Liliana or the woman on the phone? You'd better not lie to me if you don't love Liliana."
I had no trust in unfaithful men like him. He was just like Perry. So I asked bluntly, not caring about ruining the mood. What mattered was protecting Liliana from betrayal.
Frank: "Of course I love Liliana. The woman on the phone is just a friend. She keeps bothering me, so I had no choice but to talk to her. Everything I said was true: Liliana is the only one I love."
If it were me, I would never want a man like Isaac. He wanted to have it both ways.
I could tell Liliana truly loved him. If she learned about this today, she would be heartbroken.
Me: "Alright, I won't tell Liliana what happened today, but I have one condition."
I decided to give him a chance. After all, he wasn't as terrible as Perry, who had cheated on his fiancée with her best friend.
Isaac: "Tell me. As long as you stay quiet, I'll accept anything."
He looked impatient, agreeing before even hearing the condition.
Me: "Since you love Liliana, cut ties with the other women from now on and treat her sincerely."
I stated my condition firmly. His eyes lit up, and he agreed without hesitation.
Isaac: "Of course, I will. I'll be faithful only to Liliana, and I won't flirt with other women anymore."
I shot him a cold look.
Me: "I hope you remember what you said today. If you cheat on her again in the future, I won't let you off easily."
I stepped closer to him and delivered the warning, then turned and walked away.
Back home
Me: "Let me tell you this: watch Isaac carefully and pay more attention to him. Don't let your feelings blind you."
I couldn't help reminding Liliana, afraid she might get too emotionally invested. I didn't want her heart shattered if Isaac didn't truly change.
Liliana: "Irene, what do you mean? You don't think Isaac loves me? Are you still traumatized because of what happened with Perry?"
Liliana looked at me playfully, not taking my words seriously. In her mind, she was convinced Isaac loved her and that they would be happy together. I wanted to continue, but seeing her lukewarm reaction, I realized she wouldn't take it seriously even if I warned her. So I kept my thoughts to myself.
Me: "Maybe… Anyway, I just hope you won't get hurt. It's late, go sleep. You have work tomorrow."
Thinking about Perry made me feel more disgusted than sad. Liliana seemed to realize she had accidentally hurt me with her careless words. She wanted to say more, but I went straight to my room, giving her no chance to continue. I had made up my mind: I would never be upset over Perry again — he wasn't worth it.
What mattered now was working hard so I could give my parents a better life back in the village. I came from the countryside. My parents had worked so hard to support me through university. My father had aged a lot over the years, and his heart was weak; he had to take many medications. My only goal now was to work hard and earn more money to support them.
Since I started working at Hayseed Inc, I had been busy and life was peaceful. But the good days didn't last long. My father's health worsened when he found out my engagement had been broken off. He needed more medicine than before, and the doctor said the only solution was to place a stent in his heart. However, the cost of a stent was high: at least 200,000 dollars. There were also hospital fees. My family simply couldn't afford it.
I knew my father didn't tell me how bad things were because he didn't want me to worry. But I found out his heart condition had worsened and the medication was no longer effective. A heart stent was the only way to keep him alive. My parents had raised me all these years; I couldn't just stand by and wait for him to die. So I decided to take out loans for his surgery. But God didn't give me much time.
That day, my mother called me while I was at work. She was crying and told me my father's condition had worsened. He needed surgery within the next few days. If we waited any longer, his life would be in danger.
I was terrified, and my hands were trembling when I heard the news. My mind went blank, and I felt disconnected from reality at such a critical moment. I didn't know what to do. It took me a long time to force myself to calm down.
I called Liliana and told her about my father's condition. She immediately transferred 50,000 dollars and took time off work so we could think of a solution together at home. I was deeply moved by everything she did. I was truly lucky to have such a loyal friend in my life.
Me: "Tell me, Liliana! What am I supposed to do now? I still need more than 100,000. Where am I going to find that kind of money in just a few days? If I don't, my father's life will be in danger."
I looked at Liliana and spoke with sadness. I couldn't help but sob. I felt sick with worry every time I thought about my father's condition.
Liliana: "Irene, stop crying. We'll find a solution. Besides, doctors like to exaggerate patients' conditions. Your father's situation may not be as bad as they describe. Calm down, and we'll figure this out together."
Liliana hugged me and gently patted my back to comfort me. I knew she was only saying that because she didn't want me to fall into despair. My father needed the surgery to stay alive, but I couldn't afford it. How could I just sit there and watch my father die?
Liliana: "Irene, I remember you know Nathan, right? He's the richest man in Milshire. He must have enough money to help you."