Chapter 8 - THE PHOTOGRAPH NOBODY WAS SUPPOSED TO SEE
The photograph arrived anonymously.
An email.
No subject.
One attachment.
I almost deleted it.
Then I opened it.
The image showed Everett and Camille standing outside a restaurant.
The date stamp was eight months before our wedding.
Everett's hand rested against Camille's waist.
Her face was tilted toward his.
They were kissing.
I stared.
Eight months.
Not a sudden emotional breakdown.
Not an unexpected moment at the altar.
Eight months.
I forwarded the photograph to Rebecca.
Then called Kelsey.
She answered immediately.
“Maddie?”
I swallowed.
“Everett was cheating.”
Silence.
Then Kelsey whispered:
“What?”
I told her.
She swore.
Loudly.
Repeatedly.
That evening, Everett called from an unfamiliar number.
I answered.
“Madison.”
I closed my eyes.
“What?”
He sounded nervous.
“Did you get an email?”
I went still.
“How do you know?”
Silence.
Then he whispered:
“Camille says someone sent photographs.”
I laughed bitterly.
“So it's real.”
Everett exhaled.
“Maddie—”
“How long?”
He hesitated.
“Please—”
“How long?”
Silence.
Then:
“Almost a year.”
I closed my eyes.
A year.
While we'd been planning our wedding.
Choosing flowers.
Booking vendors.
Saving for a house.
He'd been sleeping with Camille.
I sat down.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Everett continued.
“It wasn't supposed to happen.”
I laughed.
“Then why did it keep happening?”
He said nothing.
I took a breath.
“Goodbye, Everett.”
Then I ended the call.
That night, Nathaniel came over.
He found me sitting on the kitchen floor.
I looked up.
“I'm sorry.”
He frowned.
“For what?”
“For being a mess.”
Nathaniel sat beside me.
“You don't have to apologize.”
I began crying.
He didn't try to fix it.
Didn't tell me Everett was worthless.
Didn't make the moment about himself.
May you like
He simply sat beside me.
And when I reached for his hand, he held it.
