Chapter 3: The Gift That Shattered Me

I wandered home in a daze. The apartment was quiet, the kind of quiet that presses in on you. Our wedding photo sat on the mantel, smiling faces frozen in time. I stared at it, remembering the vows I made, the promises I thought we'd keep. It all felt like a cruel joke now.

Who would've thought she'd be the one to wreck my arm herself? I flexed my fingers, feeling the ache in my old injury. I learned to fight for her, but she was the one who broke me. The irony stung.

Thinking of that, I collapsed on the floor, feeling like I was being torn apart. I dropped to my knees, sobbing into my hands. The pain was overwhelming, raw and jagged. I didn't care if the neighbors heard. I just wanted it to stop.

Emily called me, sounding way too cheerful. Her voice was bright, almost sing-song. It felt like a slap. I wiped my face, trying to sound normal.

"Honey! We're at the Silver Pines Hotel! Come quick! I have a surprise for you!"

She sounded so happy, like nothing was wrong. The disconnect made my skin crawl. I forced a laugh, my voice cracking.

"Hey, man, it's your birthday and you still show up late, making us all wait for you. Must be nice!"

A friend shouted in the background, laughter spilling through the phone. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice.

Everyone laughed. I opened my mouth, my voice hoarse. For a second, I couldn't speak. I just stood there, gripping the phone.

"Alright, I'll be right there."

I forced the words out, each one heavier than the last. My hands shook as I hung up. I stared at the phone for a long moment before grabbing my jacket and heading out the door.

When I got to the hotel, I realized Emily had booked the entire place just for my birthday. Everyone stared, whispering behind their hands. The lobby was decked out in blue and gold, streamers everywhere. Balloons spelled out my name above the bar. The manager shook my hand, grinning like I was some kind of celebrity. It was all too much.

"That's Mrs. Cole's husband, right? Lucky guy. She rented the whole hotel and decorated it just to make him happy."

A waitress whispered to another, eyes wide. I could feel everyone watching me, measuring my reaction. My face burned. I forced a smile, but inside I felt empty.

Everyone looked at me with admiration, but I ignored them. Their compliments bounced off me. I couldn't meet anyone's eyes. I just wanted to disappear.

Back then, I would've teared up, thinking Emily was the best thing that ever happened to me. I would've hugged her, thanked her, maybe even cried in front of everyone. I used to think I was the luckiest guy in the world. Now, all I wanted was to get away.

But now, all I felt was fear. My heart pounded, sweat prickling at my neck. I scanned the room for exits, desperate for a way out.

As soon as she saw me, Emily gave me a big hug. She was holding a bouquet. Her eyes were full of love and tenderness. She wrapped her arms around me, pressing her cheek to mine. Her perfume was sweet, cloying.

But I caught a faint whiff of men's cologne on her. It hit me hard, made me want to gag. I pulled back, forcing a smile as cameras flashed. Did anyone else notice?

"Happy birthday, honey. I've spent every birthday with you, no matter what."

She said it softly, her eyes shining. The words felt rehearsed, practiced. I nodded, unable to speak.

She kissed my cheek and handed me a gift box. The box was wrapped in silver paper, a big bow on top. My hands shook as I took it from her.

"I know you've always wanted this watch, so I had someone get it for you. Hope you like it."

She watched me open it, her smile bright and expectant. The watch was expensive, the kind I'd pointed out in shop windows but never dared buy. I should've been touched, but all I felt was dread.

Her eyes sparkled. Everyone cheered around us. The room erupted in applause, people whistling and clapping. I tried to look happy, but my face felt stiff, frozen.

"Not bad, Mason. You're lucky to have such a great wife. We're all jealous."

Someone slapped me on the back, laughter filling the air. I forced a laugh, but it sounded hollow.

Everyone clapped. Emily even blushed as she said,

"Mason deserves it."

She looked at me with adoration, but I saw the flicker of something else in her eyes. I wondered how many times she'd practiced that line in the mirror. My stomach tightened.

That line drew even more cheers, but I looked at Emily and couldn't say a word. My throat closed up. There was nothing left to say.

What was there to say? She'd been lying to me for so long, pretending to love me all this time. It couldn't have been easy. I wondered if she ever felt guilty, or if it was all just a game. I felt sick, trapped in a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.

"Happy birthday, Mason. I still remember three years ago today—you lost to me."

A deep voice rang out with applause. I looked over. It was Carter Miles, who'd just won the championship belt today.

He strode in, grinning, the belt slung over his shoulder. The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Even Emily stiffened beside me.

In that instant, even Emily's face turned pale. I saw the tension in her eyes. She shot me a nervous glance, her smile faltering. I could see the fear behind her eyes, the panic she tried to hide.

"Why are you here? Even if that incident was never cleared up, you think we don't know what you did? You definitely set up Mason!"

One of my friends shouted, stepping forward. The crowd murmured in agreement, the tension thick in the air.

My friends shouted, and Emily's face darkened from anxiety to disgust. She really was a good actress. She glared at Carter, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her performance was flawless—if I didn't know better, I would've believed her outrage. My chest tightened with betrayal.

If I didn't know the truth, I would have believed her. Emily's voice was icy. She spoke with conviction, her voice cold and sharp. It was almost impressive, how easily she slipped into the role.

"Carter, you're not welcome here. Get out."

She pointed to the door, her voice shaking with anger. The room watched, holding its breath.

Carter just raised his eyebrows and kept quiet.

"No need to get worked up, Reporter Cole. I came to give Mason a gift for his birthday."

He winked at Emily, his tone mocking. The crowd shifted uncomfortably, unsure how to react.

Carter's smile was hard to read. Emily panicked, wanting to say something, but I stopped her. I put a hand on her arm, shaking my head. She looked at me, her eyes wide with fear. I forced a calm I didn't feel.

"It's fine. He's a guest."

My voice was steady, but inside I was trembling. I took a deep breath and opened the box. My hands shook.

I lifted the lid, and my blood ran cold.

It was the championship belt he won today. The leather was still warm, the gold gleaming under the lights. It felt heavy in my hands, heavier than I'd imagined.

"Mason, I know you've always wanted this. I brought it just for you. So, aren't you going to thank me?"

Carter shrugged and grinned. His words dripped with sarcasm, his eyes dancing with amusement. I clenched my jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

"Get out! Get out of here!"

Emily's face twisted in rage as she yelled at Carter. Her voice cracked, raw with emotion. She stepped between us, her hands shaking. I could see the desperation in her eyes.

"Don't show up in front of us again. I don't want to see you."

She spat the words, her anger barely contained. The room was silent, everyone watching the drama unfold.

Carter left with a laugh. He tipped an imaginary hat, grinning as he sauntered out. The door swung shut behind him, the sound echoing in the silence. I felt a cold chill run down my spine.

"Honey, I'll go kick him out myself. Wait here for me."

Emily looked at me with fake concern, then hurried after him. She squeezed my hand, her eyes wide with worry. "Just a minute," she whispered, then slipped away. I watched her go, my heart pounding.

"That guy's awful. He definitely tampered with things back then, and now he wants to ruin the party. He'll get what's coming to him."

A friend muttered, shaking his head. The others nodded, their sympathy genuine. I felt like an imposter among them.

"Good thing Mason still has Emily. Otherwise, after what happened before, he would've never made it."

Their words stung. I forced a smile, nodding along. If only they knew the truth.

Hearing my friends' sympathy, I mumbled something and walked out. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed air, needed space. I slipped out the side door, my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.

For some reason, a voice inside pushed me. I couldn't ignore it. I had to know.

Follow them. See what they're up to. I moved quickly, hugging the shadows. My heart hammered in my chest. I told myself I was crazy, but I kept going.

When I got outside, I didn't see them, but I did see a car shaking back and forth. It was parked under a flickering streetlight. The windows were fogged up. My stomach dropped. I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself. I took a shaky breath, then walked over.

Each step felt heavier than the last. My breath came in short, sharp bursts. I told myself I was imagining things, but deep down I knew.

"This is the medicine I prepared just for your husband. Slip him some, and it'll ruin him for good."

Carter's voice floated through the cracked window. I froze, every muscle tensed. My mind raced, piecing together the truth.

I heard Carter's wicked laugh. It was cold, triumphant. I felt bile rise in my throat. I pressed closer, straining to hear every word.

"You really played the part just now. I almost believed you really wanted to protect him."

He sounded impressed, almost admiring. Emily laughed, her voice low and dangerous. I felt sick.

"If I didn't act, how could I earn their trust? I gave him the watch you didn't want—you should've seen how happy he was."

She sounded proud, almost giddy. I wanted to scream, to smash the window, but I just stood there, paralyzed.

Hearing that, a wave of disgust washed over me. My skin crawled. I couldn't believe I'd fallen for it. I felt dirty, used.

I walked away and tossed the watch Emily had just given me into the trash. I didn't even look back. The watch landed with a clatter, buried under empty wrappers and old newspapers. It felt good, in a twisted way, to get rid of it. My chest heaved.

Too filthy. All of this was just too filthy. I wiped my hands on my jeans, as if I could scrub away the betrayal. But the feeling lingered, heavy and inescapable.