Her Mistakes

that made people stay indoors, curled up with loved ones or wrapped in the comfort of knowing someone was thinking of them. But Lisa had neither of

ay, that was all she asked for. And yet, from the moment she arrived, he was nowhere to be found. No text, n

g about assignments and weekend plans. She sighed, sinking deeper into the couch, wrap

ys jingling in his hand. His expression was unreadable, casually in

ng at her briefly. "Apologies for

was his excuse? She had crossed cities to

aid, too tired to

ng feeling in her stomach, a quiet voice whispering that m

with one of them, and they were there to celebrate. Lisa tried to play the good girlfriend, smiling through the introductions, sipping on whatever was ha

r, half-tipsy, watching the chaos unfold. Her red satin nightie peeked out beneath her robe, and her legs, bare and smooth, glistened under the

istant. He crossed the room slowly, crouched

asked, his voice low

in her throat. She was vulnerable, soft

re if it was the alcohol or

ile truth on the bed. The doors locked. The curtains closed. What happened next was all heat and rhythm and breath. No wo

. The air felt different cooler, clearer, almost sterile. She reac

sheets are cold. The

Her suitcase had been packed. Her things

fore had evaporated. In its

he door, dressed and clean,

eady now?"

ed hard. "Ye

, he walked her to the car and waved once before disappearing back into the house. As the driver pulled away, Li

ay? But then, why did it feel like the night they shared meant nothing to him? Johnson called later that evening, his voice casual, avoiding any mention of wha

ions, texted back with emojis and affection, but ther

t felt like old times. They laughed about silly things, gossiped about friends, and teased eac

ng the back of his neck,

ur

ted. "Be

s hung in the air, s

. I love you, Lisa. I didn't want to admit it before. My past... I've seen

ng. She had imagined him saying them in a thousand better ways, in

pered. "Yes, I'

ange silences and emotional distance, vanis

sn't always

ping every time she saw him. But slowly, something shifted. Johnson began to change. He was s

her, sending pictures of himself in bed, or watching TV. But when she came to see him, that's when the erra

uch. Maybe it was a coincidence. But as it kept happening, vis

oned his shirt to go meet a fr

me with you today? I g

just guys. And honestly... I don't like mixing my g

e," Lisa pushed gently. "

it that way. I don't want them talking about yo

I can

bbing his keys. "I

he anonymous messages she'd once received, warning her about him. She'd deleted them, bloc

now she was

rom his friends? Or hid

carelessly on the table. Her hear

nd nothing?

lked over, and picked

urse

the suspicion remained.

ven hersel

ove with someone sh

at first, then furious, as if echoing

, she didn't know if t

nning of he