His Secret Son, My Broken Heart

rom our embrace, his jaw tightening as he glanced at the screen. He mumbled an apology and stepped away, h

it's all cleared up now. Why don't we all go grab some dinner? Celebrate this... wonderful e

my public outburst, Ashton' s "rehearsal" explanation. I was mortified. I didn'

a immediately launched into a theatrical complaint about "some people" being late fo

y bite-sized, while I had to saw through my own. He even pushed the extra, crispy fries from his plate onto hers,

him, her fingers brushing his arm. "You got me that tiny macaron tower,

ly surfaced with me anymore. "Angela always kno

is with Angela. He' d told me he only went to Paris

o inject some levity, "you never get me

r tastes are so particular. I wouldn't want to get you

dinner. Ashton remembered every detail of Angela' s preferences, her quirky habits, her pet peeves. Yet, when I' d ordered my meal, he' d almost ordered me shrimp, kno

ew book is doing wonderfully! Such a talent. Ashton always said you were a 'hard worker.' He's always so proud of

on's subtle dismissal of my creative passion, a constant undercurrent

nsed my withdrawal because he turned to me, his hand briefly co

out Ashton's "business trip," was among them, along with a few others I vaguely

eyes landed on me, and his smile

se!" Ashton said, his voic

to meet you here for a celebration, man! Said you were finally making things official with Ange

for me. Then I looked at Angela's hand, where the exact same ring, still clearly too big, sat. My heart sa

u and Angela first dated. You guys were inseparable! Ev

r eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Th

looked at me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes, and quickly changed the subject, turning on

ttle, fake smile that felt like it would shatter any moment. I felt Ashton' s hand on my t

ard silences. On the drive home, Ashton acted as if nothing had h

e barely above a whisper.

eyes were closed. His breathing was

still lying. The man I was engaged to, the man who was supposed to be my partner, was a coward and