SHE BETRAYED ME

thouse apartment, gazing out at the breathtaking view of the city skyline. T

d from the kitchen, where his girlfriend, Sarah, was busy preparing dinner. The

s his life now – one of opulence and refinement. He had worked tire

h, and his expression softened. She was the perfect complement

ing upward in a seductive curve. "Dinner's alm

r. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. "

l felt a sense of contentment wash over him. This was his

was about to crack, and his world w

d introduced Sarah as his girlfriend. The chapter ends with a

of the dining room. She was a vision of loveliness, with her raven-black hair cascading down her back l

nd he reached out to take her hand. "You look stunni

. "Thank you, darling," she replie

n his business, and Sarah shared stories about her work as a freelance writer. The conversati

. She was quieter than usual, and her responses to his questions seemed a little more

oom and poured himself a glass of scotch. He settled onto the couch, feeling the s

, turning to her with a concerned expres

him. "I'm fine, darling," she said.

as they sat there in comfortable silence, he c

hat made his heart skip a beat. He was walking past Sarah's desk when he noticed a piece of paper

e usual place

wash over him. Who was J, and what was Sarah's c

ing paranoid. But the seed of doubt had been planted, and Michael c

nsion and suspense, and raised some ques

he conti

He felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead as he tried to process wha

s overreacting. But the seed of doubt had been planted, an

rushing her hair. She looked up at him with

something?" he said, h

he replied, her eyes sp

phrase the question. But something a

is eyes locked on hers. "It said 'Meet

licker of something in her eyes. It was gone in an instan

asked, his voice

y sound that sent a shi

is just an old friend. We've

n eyebrow, his s

he repeated. "The

r shoulders barely

e said, her voice dripping with innocence. "

possibilities. He didn't believe Sarah's story

y, his voice neutral.

and leaned in

" she said. "Don'

hing was off. He lay awake long after Sarah had f

ir connection to Sarah? And

uldn't quite put his finger on what it was. All he knew was that