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A flash. Then another. I keep going.

My voice doesn’t waver. My hands don't shake as I grip the product tube again, smile for the lens, and keep talking about formulas and texture. I speak with the clarity of someone who has nothing to prove because I don’t. Not anymore.

My mind is still on the shoot when my phone rings.

“Hey. I was planning on dropping by your place later today,” I say as I answer Jen’s call.

There’s a pause. Then a shaky inhale.

Her breath catches and she sniffs.

“Jen?” I straighten in my seat. “What happened?”

Her voice is small, so unlike the cheerful woman I know.

“I stopped by your office. Are you around?”

“Yes,” I say, already rising. “I’m coming there now.”

I wrap up at the studio and return to my office.

Jen is sitting on the edge of my couch, arms wrapped around herself, eyes red and swollen. My heart cracks.

“Oh, honey.”

She stands the moment she sees me and I catch her in my arms. She clings to me like she’s drowning, and I hold her tighter.

“I can’t believe this,” she whispers into my shoulder. “I feel so foolish, Wren.”

“You’re not. You’re not foolish. Talk to me. What happened?”

She pulls back enough to look at me. Her lips tremble.

“I thought he was going to propose. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. How he’s been acting kind of different, like a brand new person. I thought… I thought it was nerves. Surprise. Like, ring-shopping nerves.”

She lets out a bitter laugh and wipes under her eyes.

“But it wasn’t that. He was hiding something. A woman sent me photos last night. Of her and Derek. Together. I confronted him, and he didn’t even deny it.”

I press a hand over my mouth, fury already lighting up my spine.

“He said… God, Wren, he said he knew he messed up, but he’s in love with me. That he bought a ring and he still wants to marry me. As if that fixes anything.”

Tears spill again, fresh and fast.

“I’m so sad,” she chokes out. “I’m so hurt. I don’t understand it. I don't understand why he would do that to me. To us.”

I guide her back to the couch, keeping my arms around her as she sinks into me, sobbing, and her body trembling.

“You didn’t deserve this. No one does.” I murmur. “You’re the most loyal, loving person I know. If he couldn’t see that, if he could hurt you like this then he doesn’t deserve to be in the same room as you, let alone marry you.”

She nods into my shoulder.

“I walked out. Left everything in his place, the key, the photos, the stupid half-finished takeout he ordered this morninglike he hasn't been cheating on me until the previous week. I came straight here.”

“I’m so glad you did.” I squeeze her. “You’re not alone. You have me. Always.”

She pulls away with a shaky breath, her blue eyes shining with resolve.