Noah is a kind person. He always helps those in need. He takes care of me. He loves me. How could Mia say otherwise?
I was still lost in those thoughts when Mia suddenly started a video call with our friends. Seriously? We were in the middle of a serious discussion, and she's calling friends? Are they more important than my life right now?
"Mia, what is this? Just moments ago you were burning with anger about Noah, and now you're calling friends to chat? Is this some kind of prank? Whatever it is—it's disgusting!" I snapped.
The faces on the screen stared at me as if they'd never seen me before.
"Mily, listen to me…" Mia's voice trembled. "I know I introduced you to Noah, but I didn't know him well at that time. And… I kept a secret from you."
My stomach dropped. Today was already unbearable—first Noah disappearing and not answering my calls, then Mia accusing him, and now she herself admitting she hid something from me. My head spun.
"What secret?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
"You remember the day you argued with Noah about marriage? You called me crying, told me everything?"
I nodded slowly.
"I told you I spoke to him, and we sorted it out. But Mily… I lied. We never talked. He told me that he didn't love you, that he was only pretending… to make me jealous."
My heart stuttered. "Jealous? Why would he want to make you jealous?"
Mia's eyes filled with guilt. "Because he said he loved me first. But I only ever saw him as a friend. To make me jealous, he started dating you. And while you truly loved him, he never stopped thinking of me. He even tried to get closer, but I rejected him."
Her words stabbed at my chest. I couldn't even process. "Maybe he really loved you then… be with him, keep him happy," I whispered, numb.
Mia slammed her hand against the table. "Emily! Are you out of your mind? Why would I want someone who cheated on my best friend?"
One of our friends interrupted, her voice shaky. "Emily… two days ago, Noah misbehaved with me. I managed to escape, but I couldn't stop thinking about you. I didn't know how to tell you, so I told Mia instead. She confronted Noah about your relationship… do you know what he said?"
My heart was pounding in my ears.
"He said, 'We're no longer in a relationship.' But wasn't he with you yesterday, telling you he'd marry you?"
The ground beneath me felt like it was crumbling.
Mia continued, "After that, I got close to one of Noah's friends just to learn the truth. During an argument, he shouted at me in anger: 'I'm not Noah, using girls for his desires and money. I truly loved you, Mia.'" She held up her phone. "If you don't believe me, I have his chats."
Tears blurred my vision. No… my Noah isn't like that. He told me he loved me.
The world around me shattered. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe. But I had to stay strong—my family couldn't see me broken. Wiping my tears, I forced myself to stand.
"I need time to think. Please, Mia… just go. I have to get ready for the party. Leave me alone for now."
I slammed the door before she could say another word.
Collapsing to the floor, I cried until my chest ached. I had no idea how long I stayed there, drowning in grief. Then, through my sobs, a single thought lit up in my mind:
The party.
"Yes," I whispered to myself. "I have to attend the party. I need to escape this misery, even for a while."
I pulled myself up, wiped the last of my tears, and began preparing. The mask of strength would have to hide my broken heart tonight.