The Truth That Broke Us

eir tenth anniversary candles lit, wine chilling, chocolate mousse waiting in the fridge. She wiped her hands, clicked on the link her cousin Mia sent, and watched Instagram load. There it was. A ph

e of memories anniversaries, IVF treatments, therapy, Ethan's endless "late meetings." Had it all been a lie? The doorbell rang. She flinched, nearly dropping her phone. Ava opened the door, expecting Ethan. It wasn't. It was Talia. Wearing the same navy blue sweater from the photo. Her hair was longer now, lips glossy, eyes calm. She looked like she belonged. "Ava," she said quietly. "We need to talk." Ava didn't move. Talia glanced past her into the house, saw the wine, the empty table. "Tonight was your anniversary, wasn't it?" Ava swallowed hard. "You have five seconds to talk before I scream." Talia sighed, like Ava was the problem. "Ethan was supposed to tell you. Weeks ago." "Tell me what?" Ava snapped. "That you're screwing my husband? Playing happy family with my son?" Talia's smile faded. "He never stopped loving me, Ava. You always knew that." Ava's ears rang. "I'm the one who married him. I raised our son. Where have you even been?" "Wa