The Garden Betrayal

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1

It was my birthday, and my best friend was throwing me a party.

Halfway through, I caught her and my boyfriend sneaking around in the garden.

Seraphina was sitting on Caleb's lap, her voice dripping with mock concern. You aren't actually going to marry Summer, are you?

Caleb let out a scoff of pure disdain. "Marry her? Not a chance in hell."

The absurdity of it hit me like a physical blow.

The man who had just promised to spend his life with me had been hooking up with my best friend behind my back.

I didn't look back when I walked away from them.

Later, Caleb would end up on his knees, begging for my forgiveness.

...

Today was my twenty-sixth birthday.

Seraphina Lyne, my ride-or-die since middle school, had organized a huge bash and invited all our friends.

My boyfriend, Caleb Evans, was supposed to be away on a business trip, but he'd flown back early just to be here.

He told me he couldn't imagine missing such an important day for his girl.

During the party, Seraphina claimed she was a bit tipsy and needed some fresh air.

I knew her tolerance was better than two glasses of wine, but her face was flushed, so I didn't question it.

I asked if she needed me to go with her, but she insisted on going alone.

A few minutes later, Caleb excused himself too, saying he had an urgent work call to take.

Our friends were still in high spirits, but we ran out of drinks. "Hey Summer, we're out of booze!" someone shouted.

I flashed a smile. "No worries, I've got more in the cellar. I'll go grab some."

To get to the cellar, I had to pass by the back garden.

Before I even reached the gate, I heard the heavy breathing and those unmistakable, filthy sounds.

My heart skipped a beat, and I froze in my tracks.

All our friends were inside the house, so who could possibly be out here?

"Oh, Caleb... harder..."

I heard a voice I recognized instantly.

It was Seraphina, the same girl who just claimed she was feeling unwell, and she was moaning my boyfriend's name.

They had always acted like they couldn't stand each other, bickering every time they met.

I never imagined they would ever use such intimate tones.

I crept closer, peeking through the rose bushes to see them locked in a heated embrace on a stone bench.

Seraphina was straddling him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

The moonlight caught their expressionsDthey were both lost in pure bliss.

There was no mistake; it was Seraphina and Caleb.

My legs went weak, and I stumbled back, covering my mouth to keep from screaming.

When they finally broke the kiss, Seraphina leaned against his chest, tracing circles on his skin. "Caleb, who do you love more? Me or Summer?"

Caleb chuckled, pinching her cheek. "You, obviously. Summer doesn't even come close."

Seraphina giggled, though her voice had a sharp edge. "Then what was all that talk about marrying her earlier? You're not serious, right?"

During the party, we'd played a game of Truth or Dare, and someone asked Caleb when he was going to propose.

He had actually pulled a custom diamond ring from his pocket, dropped to one knee, and looked me in the eye.

"Summer, I had this made just for you. Will you marry me?" he had asked.

Everyone had cheered, except for Seraphina, who looked like she'd swallowed a lemon.

At the time, I thought she just hated Caleb because she was looking out for me.

She had spent our entire relationship talking trash about him, acting like she wanted us to break up.

Now I realized she wasn't protective; she was jealous.

Caleb gave a cold laugh. "Marry her? Please. That's never happening."

Tears began to stream down my face, hot and bitter.

We had been together for seven years, and I truly believed he was the one.

The fact that he'd been sleeping with my best friend was a joke I wasn't in on.

Seraphina playfully punched his shoulder. "Then why the big proposal?"

Caleb pulled her closer. "Because the company needs her family's capital. Summer is boring as hell, but at least she's loaded."

I clutched my chest, feeling my world crumble.

So, he was only with me for my family's status and my bank account.

All these years, I was just a tool to be used.

Trembling, I pulled out my phone and dialed Caleb's number.

I watched him check the caller ID with a look of pure annoyance before hitting the green button.

When he spoke, his voice was suddenly filled with fake tenderness. "Hey, Summer? What's up, babe?"

Watching the mask slide on so easily made my blood run cold.

I wondered how many times he'd looked at me with that same disgust while acting like he loved me.

"I just... wanted to know if you made it back to the office yet," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady.

Caleb continued to flirt with Seraphina with his free hand while he lied to me. "Not yet, honey. Why do you ask?"

"Are you coming home tonight?" I asked.

I regretted the question as soon as it left my lips, wanting to hang up and stay in the dark.

Caleb planted a kiss on Seraphina's neck. "I don't think so. It's going to be a long night at work."

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood, trying to suppress a sob.

Caleb seemed impatient when I didn't respond. "Summer? You still there? I really gotta go, this project is urgent."

He hung up and immediately went back to kissing Seraphina.

"Are we going back to our place tonight?" Seraphina whispered.

Caleb smirked. "You already know the answer to that."

I stood there, paralyzed by the realization.

They didn't just have an affair; they had a whole life together.

And here I was, spending my weeks decorating the new home I thought we were going to share.

I was such a fool.

I first met Seraphina in middle school.

She was brilliant but came from a struggling family, and her looks made her a target for bullies.

A lot of guys tried to force her into being their girlfriend back then.

Seraphina had too much pride to give in, which only made things worse for her.

One day, I heard a commotion in an alleyway on my way home and saw her cornered by a group of guys.

I've always been a bit of a hothead, and I hated the guys picking on her, so I stepped in.

They knew my family and didn't want any trouble with me, so they scrambled.

I reached out and helped her up.

From that day on, we were inseparable.

As long as she was with me, nobody dared to touch her.

We went to the same college, and Seraphina grew into a stunning woman who was popular with everyone.

I was genuinely happy for her success.

Then I met Caleb at the freshman orientation where he was the keynote speaker. It was love at first sight.

I joined the student council just to be near him, even though I was just another face in the crowd.

He was the Golden Boy of the campus, always surrounded by girls.

I didn't even get to speak to him until our junior year during the winter gala.

The lead girl for his performance had an emergency, and since I was a drama major, he asked me to fill in.

We spent every waking hour rehearsing together.

That was the first time I really got to know the man behind the reputation.

But because of the long hours, I started neglecting Seraphina.

She got jealous and picked fights with Caleb every time they were in the same room.

After the performance was a hit, Caleb and I stayed close and started dating.

I confessed my feelings while I was a little tipsy one night, and to my shock, he said he felt the same.

Seraphina was furious when she found out and didn't speak to me for weeks until I practically begged for her forgiveness.

Since then, she acted like she hated his guts.

I spent years trying to balance my relationship with both of them, keeping them apart to avoid conflict.

I never suspected that they had been playing me for years.

I was nothing but a clown in their twisted little show.

2

I stumbled back into the party, feeling like a ghost in my own home.

My friends noticed I looked pale, so I made the excuse that I was coming down with something and ended the night early.

Once everyone was gone, I took a freezing cold shower and lay in bed.

I scrolled through seven years of photos and messages, crying until I could barely breathe.

It was humiliating to realize our entire history was based on his manipulation.

I couldn't stop my mind from spiraling into dark places.

Finally, I took a double dose of melatonin just to force myself into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning, I heard movement in the kitchen.

I walked out to find Caleb wearing an apron, humming while he cooked.

He flashed me a bright smile. "Morning, Summer! You're just in time. I made breakfast."

I looked at the oatmeal he'd prepared and noticed a thermal lunch box on the counter.

A wave of nausea hit me instantly.

Caleb saw where I was looking and quickly moved the box behind him.

"Who's the extra breakfast for?" I asked, my voice flat.

Caleb's expression shifted, his smile faltering. "Work is crazy today. I was just going to pack some to eat at the office."

I forced a small, cold smile. "Busy, huh? Maybe I should come by the office and help out."

Caleb's tone sharpened with sudden irritation. "Summer, you've been out of the loop for a while. It wouldn't make sense for you to just show up."

We had started this company together right after graduation using my family's seed money.

But once he felt my influence was overshadowing his, he convinced me to take a backseat.

I was so blinded by love that I actually agreed to it.

Now I saw that he just wanted to kick me out once he had everything he needed.

"What are you so nervous about, Caleb?" I pressed.

He looked at me with pure annoyance. "Stop being so dramatic, Summer. You're overthinking things."

I stared at him, feeling a strange sense of detachment.

Was it possible that seven years of love meant nothing to him?

Maybe this was just a seven-year itch, and he wanted the thrill of someone he wasn't supposed to have.

Part of me wondered if I should give him a chance if he confessed and ended things with Seraphina.

I looked him in the eye. "You proposed yesterday. When are we going to the courthouse? How about tomorrow?"

I saw a flash of disgust in his eyes before he smoothed it over with a fake smile. "Babe, the company is about to go public. Let's wait until after the IPO, okay?"

I knew the truth now. Once he used my family's connections to go public, he would discard me for good.

I decided to give him one last test. "Caleb, where were you last night?"

If he told the truth, maybe there was a shred of hope left for us.

But he didn't hesitate. "I was at the office all night. Why are you acting like this?"

I looked down, the last bit of hope dying inside me.

Caleb, sensing my mood, brought a bowl of oatmeal over to me. "Come on, let's just eat, okay?"

He sat down and pulled his bowl close, but his phone rang before he could take a bite.

He glanced at the screen, gave me a shifty look, and told me it was his assistant.

He answered with a professional tone, but his face was tense. "I'll be right there," he said.

He hung up, grabbed his jacket, and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Sorry, babe. Duty calls. Eat your breakfast."

He practically ran out the door.

I grabbed a napkin and rubbed my cheek until the skin was raw, then threw the paper in the trash.

I had heard Seraphina's voice on the other end of that call.

He was still lying to my face.

Not long after he left, I called a mutual friend of mine and Seraphina's.

She was Seraphina's old college roommate and now worked at our company.

She was the one who had told me to go get the wine last night.

I wasn't sure if it was a coincidence or if she did it on purpose, but I had to know.

I asked her point-blank about what was going on.

There was a long silence on the other end. "Summer, if I tell you, you have to promise not to tell Seraphina it came from me."

I gave her my word.

She sent me a link to a private social media handle and told me to look for myself.

When I searched for the account, I realized I had been blocked.

I had to create a burner account to see the content.

It was Seraphina's secret page, labeled as a couple's blog.

My hands shook as I clicked on the pinned video at the top.

"Today is our first official anniversary! Yesterday was graduation, and he finally confessed. Here's to our future together!"

The man in the video never showed his face, but I knew that voice anywhere.

It was Caleb.

I clicked on the second video, dated only yesterday.

"Caleb took me to pick out rings today! He said he's designing a one-of-a-kind piece just for me. He spoils me so much, I can't live without him."

The video showed them at a high-end jeweler, discussing custom designs.

Seraphina was beautiful, and the posts made Caleb look like a wealthy, doting prince.

The comments were filled with people envious of their perfect love.

If Caleb was buying her a custom masterpiece, then the ring he gave me was just some off-the-shelf junk.

The difference between love and utility was blindingly clear.

Tears blurred my vision, splashing onto my phone screen.

But I couldn't stop myself from scrolling further into the past.

"Finally on our dream trip to Bora Bora! He's so busy but he made time for me. He even bought me a villa here so I can relax whenever I want."

That video was from two weeks ago.

Seraphina had told me she was going back to her hometown because her mother was sick.

I had even wired her money to help with the medical bills.

Caleb had told me he was on a business trip at the same time.

I had never put the two things together.

They were vacationing on my dime while I was worrying about them.

Caleb knew Bora Bora was my dream destination, yet he took her instead.

"I was feeling sick today, and Caleb drove all night just to be by my side. I love him!"

The date of that post was the same night I had a dangerously high fever.

There was a bad flu going around, and I'd caught it after a day out with Seraphina.

I had called Caleb that night, begging him to come home because I was scared.

He told me his work was too important and refused.

But at that very moment, he was playing nurse to Seraphina.

It was a sick joke.

I wasn't worth his time, but she was.

"I've had no appetite lately, so Caleb cooked my favorite meal. He's the best chef!"

The video showed Caleb making BBQ ribs, Seraphina's favorite.

Caleb had always told me he didn't know how to cook.

He'd recently started making me oatmeal, claiming he was learning just for me.

I had been so touched by such a small gesture.

Now I realized I was just getting his leftovers.

I slammed my phone shut and buried my face in the blankets.

The betrayal had been going on for five years.

Five years of being played for a fool by the two people I trusted most.

I took another cold shower to numb my mind, then dressed and headed to the office.

As soon as I walked in, the receptionist looked like she'd seen a ghost. "Miss Sterling! What are you doing here?"

She had been with us since the beginning and was one of the few veterans left.

Her panicked reaction told me everything I needed to know.

I held up a folder. "Caleb left some papers at home. I'm just dropping them off."

She reached for the phone. "Let me just check if he's available..."

I didn't wait for her to finish. I slipped into the elevator and headed straight for the top floor.

The executive level was eerily quiet.

As I approached Caleb's office, my heart hammered against my ribs.

Then I heard the giggling.

My entire body tensed up.

It was Seraphina and Caleb.

"Oh Caleb, you're so bad..."

The sounds of their shameless flirting made my skin crawl.

They were doing it right here, in the office I helped build, in broad daylight.

The receptionist wasn't being polite; she was being a lookout.

Everyone knew except for me.

The double betrayal was a crushing weight.

My knees gave out, and I sank to the floor against the wall, tears stinging my eyes.

Suddenly, the noise inside stopped.

The receptionist must have buzzed him.

I didn't want to see the filth with my own eyes. I turned around and walked out.

I was barely out of the building when Caleb called.

I answered, hearing the forced calm in his voice. "Hey Summer, the front desk said you were here? I didn't see you come in."

"I grabbed the wrong folder," I lied. "I'm already on my way back."

There was a pause. "Oh, okay. By the way, I've got to work late tonight, so I can't make it to dinner with your parents. Tell them I'm sorry."

I hung up without a word.

He was too distracted to notice my tone.

I pulled my car over a block away and watched as Caleb's car exited the parking garage.

I could see a woman in the passenger seat. Even from a distance, I knew it was Seraphina.

I followed them.

They didn't go to a restaurant or a hotel; they went to the hospital.

They walked straight into the OB-GYN wing.

My heart turned to ice.

The sight of those letters made my breath hitch.

I leaned against a pillar, gasping for air as memories flooded back.

Two years ago, I had been pregnant with Caleb's child.

But because of Seraphina, that baby was gone...

3

Two years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, Caleb acted thrilled.

I hadn't been sure about having kids so soon, but his excitement convinced me.

We had even started planning our wedding then.

But one day, while shopping for baby clothes with Seraphina, she tripped and grabbed my arm, pulling me down with her.

I hit the ground hard, and I could feel the life draining out of me right there on the sidewalk.

I had always been physically delicate, and the doctors had warned me to be extra careful during the first trimester.

I was only eight weeks along. I lost the baby.

The doctors told me the complications from that loss would make it nearly impossible for me to conceive again.

Caleb used a business crisis as an excuse to postpone the wedding after that.

Seraphina had gotten on her knees, sobbing and begging for my forgiveness, swearing it was an accident.

Despite the pain, I couldn't bring myself to hate her back then.

I avoided her for six months, but when her mother passed away, I stepped in to help her arrange the funeral.

My soft heart led me right back into her trap.

Now, I wondered if she had tripped on purpose just to kill my child.

If she was pregnant now, it was the ultimate insult.

I hid behind a pillar and watched them exit the exam room, glowing with happiness.

Seraphina was clutching a sonogram photo. "Caleb, tell me I'm not dreaming. We're finally having a baby."

Caleb wrapped his arms around her. "You aren't dreaming. I'm finally going to be a father."

I leaned back and let out a silent, bitter laugh.

They were having a child while I was left with nothing but scars.

What was I to him all these years? Just a placeholder?

Seraphina's expression turned worried. "Caleb, how are you going to tell Summer? I don't want our baby to be a secret."

Caleb soothed her. "I'm not going to let that happen. Once the company goes public, I'll get her to sign over her shares, and then I'm done with her. We'll be a real family."

Seraphina leaned into him. "You better not be lying."

"I would never lie to you," he promised.

I felt a surge of pure disgust. They were monsters.

As they walked away, I ran to a nearby trash can and retched until there was nothing left in my stomach.

I felt weak, like my soul was leaving my body.

The world went black.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed.

A young nurse was changing my IV drip. She noticed I was awake and asked, "How are you feeling? Do you need the doctor?"

I shook my head.

Physically, I was fine. Mentally, I was in pieces.

She checked my vitals and then said, "The man who brought you in is waiting outside. He seems to know you. Should I let him in?"

I sat up, confused.

A tall, handsome man with a kind face walked into the room.

He looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place him.

He saw my puzzled expression and chuckled, pointing to himself. "Summer, don't tell me you forgot about me already? Take a good look."

It took a moment, but then it clicked.

"Xander Reed! What are you doing here?!"

Xander had been my neighbor growing up until his family moved away in elementary school. We hadn't seen each other in over a decade.

He smiled and patted my hand. "I'm back in town for work. I didn't expect to run into you like this."

I remembered I had fainted near the OB-GYN clinic. "Wait... were you at the women's clinic?"

Xander explained, "I just got back from my residency abroad and I'm starting as a surgeon here next week. I was just dropping off some paperwork for a colleague."

So little Xander grew up to be a doctor. He used to be such a troublemaker.

Xander saw the look on my face and smirked. "Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm actually pretty good at my job."

"I believe you," I joked weakly.

He crossed his arms. "So, care to explain why you collapsed in the hallway? The doctors said it's just a touch of the flu and exhaustion, but you look like you've seen a ghost."

The memories of Seraphina and Caleb flashed through my mind, making me shiver.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Caleb.

I put it to my ear, hearing his fake concern. "Summer, I heard you were at the hospital. What happened? Why were you there?"

I almost laughed. He wasn't worried about me; he was worried I'd seen him.

"I felt sick and passed out as soon as I got here," I said coldly.

He sounded relieved. "Are you okay?"

"Are you coming to see me?" I asked.

There was a long pause. "I'll try to make it later, babe. Things are just crazy at the office."

I hung up before he could say another word.

I couldn't dump him until the business matters were settled, but I couldn't stand the sound of his voice.

Xander was about to say something when my phone pinged again.

It was a notification from Seraphina's secret account.

I opened it and saw her latest post.

"Great news, everyone! I'm pregnant! Caleb says this is the best gift ever. I can't wait to meet our little one."

The video showed them shopping for baby gear together.

Caleb had never once gone shopping for our baby.

I stared at the screen, my heart hardening into stone.

He was playing house with his mistress while his girlfriend was in a hospital bed.

Seven years. It was all a lie.

My father sent me a text right then, saying he had finished the paperwork to pull our funding from Caleb's company.

I didn't hesitate. I sent Caleb a five-word text.

DD "We are over. It's finished."