Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English
Synopsis
My husband and I had booked a luxury resort for our honeymoon.
The day before our flight, the hotel called to confirm the cancellation.
I froze. "I never cancelled anything."
The receptionist checked the system and said,
"A Ms. Hailey Miller called with your confirmation number and full name. She canceled the reservation, then immediately rebooked the exact same suite under her name and the same gentleman."
Ms. Miller... Hailey? Ethan’s so-called "platonic" best friend?
She booked our honeymoon suite with my husband?
Did Ethan know about this?
Before I could even ask, the line went dead.
The front door clicked open. Ethan was home.
He slipped off his shoes and let out a heavy sigh, his face full of disappointment.
"Babe, bad news. Someone outbid us for the honeymoon suite. The front desk said they’re completely sold out. Looks like we’ll have to reschedule our trip."
"Outbid us? How could someone just take our room?"
Ethan set his keys on the entryway console, his brow furrowing.
"The hotel said someone offered a much higher rate. Honeymoon suites are high in demand. Obviously, management took the extra cash."
He said it so casually, as if none of it was his fault.
"That makes no sense. The reservation was under my name. How could anyone just snatch it?"
I pulled out my phone, pretending to dial.
"Let me call the resort right now. Maybe there's a misunderstanding."
Ethan hurried over and clamped his hand over mine.
"Don't bother. I already looked into it. That’s just how it is."
"Besides, my boss just assigned me a last-minute business trip tomorrow. Mandatory. I can't back out."
"Even if they had a room, we couldn't go anyway."
I stared at him.
The last shred of hope in my chest crumbled to dust.
He was really going with Hailey.
"How long will you be away?"
"Three days."
He turned his back to me, his voice drifting from the closet.
"As soon as I'm back, I'll plan something even better. I promise I’ll make up your honeymoon."
"Fine."
I lowered my phone.
Ethan let out an audible breath of relief.
"Are you hungry? I’ll make dinner."
"Sure."
He headed into the kitchen, leaving the door cracked open. Soon, the rhythmic sound of chopping filled the air.
I redialed the resort's front desk.
"Hi, I was wondering if you have any rooms available starting tomorrow?"
"My suite was cancelled and rebooked by someone else. I’d like the room right next to it."
The clerk tapped on her keyboard for a moment.
"Yes, ma'am. We have a deluxe king room available on the same floor. Would you like to reserve it?"
"Yes, please. Tomorrow for three nights."
"All set. Your booking is confirmed."
I hung up and placed my phone face down on the coffee table.
Sinking into the sofa, I stared up at the blank ceiling.
The whole thing with Ethan and Hailey started two years ago.
When Ethan and I first began dating, Hailey’s name came up constantly.
"She’s my college buddy. We’re basically bros," he used to tell me, his voice completely nonchalant.
And Hailey played the part well.
The first time we met, she offered me a warm handshake and a bright smile. "Ethan talks about you nonstop. He kept saying you’re gorgeous, and wow, he wasn't lying."
She was open, outgoing, never clingy, and never overstepped.
She never showed up on our dates, and Ethan never went out of his way to text her in front of me.
At least, not where I could see.
Back then, I genuinely believed a man and a woman could share a purely platonic friendship.
Ethan never crossed the line with her, and Hailey never acted flirtatious.
I even considered myself lucky to have a drama-free husband and a mature, respectful friend like her.
Now I realize it was all an act put on for my benefit.
The real intimacy, the secret connection—it all happened behind my back.
Then why did Ethan marry me?
If his heart belonged to Hailey, why didn't he just be with her?
I was never the clingy, desperate type. If he wanted his dream girl, he could have walked away anytime.
Yet he chose me. He proposed, had a big wedding, and posted all over social media.
Was it because Hailey wouldn't commit to him?
Or did he just think I made a more convenient wife?
Either way, it made me sick to my stomach.
If it were just a hunch, I wouldn't rush into anything rash.
But this was different.
He canceled our honeymoon suite and put Hailey’s name on it.
This wasn't a suspicion. It was a cold, hard fact.
We were married, and now that I had uncovered the truth, I wasn't about to let it slide.The front door lock clicked again.
It swung open, and in walked Hailey.
She carried a bag of fresh fruit, slipping off her sneakers with practiced familiarity.
"Chloe, you're home!"
"Yeah, just got back."
My tone was flat.
She didn't pick up on the chill. She carried the bag straight into the kitchen.
"Ethan, the mangoes you bought aren't ripe yet. I picked up some sweet ones for you guys."
Ethan’s voice floated from inside. "Just leave them on the counter. I’ll slice them later."
Their banter was so effortless, so natural, like two people sharing an apartment.
And I was just a guest in my own home.
"Dinner's ready," Ethan announced, bringing out the plates while Hailey followed with the silverware.
The three of us sat down, just like any other day.
Hailey picked up her fork, taking a bite before asking casually, "So, did you guys finalize where you're going for your honeymoon?"
Ethan glanced at me.
"We had a suite booked, but someone offered more money and took it. We have to postpone."
He sounded helpless, layered with just the right amount of regret.
Hailey gasped softly, her expression turning into immediate sympathy.
"Ugh, that sucks. I heard that resort is nearly impossible to book."
She frowned, acting as if she felt our pain.
"Tell me about it," I chimed in, chewing a piece of meat.
"I wonder what kind of selfish scumbag steals someone else's honeymoon suite."
I chewed slowly, keeping my voice light.
"Outbidding people for their own room... how completely shameless do you have to be? Ruining a newlywed couple's trip like that."
Ethan’s fork paused midair.
Hailey looked down, sipping her soup in silence.
"Where do people get the nerve? Can't they book their own vacation instead of stealing someone else's?" I added.
The dining table fell dead silent for two full seconds.
Ethan forced an awkward laugh. "Yeah... totally messed up."
Hailey nodded without saying a word, her lips pressed into a tight, thin line.
Watching them squirm, my chest turned as cold as ice.
"By the way, Hailey," I said with a warm smile, "I have time off starting tomorrow since our trip was canceled. Are you free? Want to hang out or go shopping?"
She froze for a second, then immediately shook her head.
"Oh, I wish! But I have to work tomorrow. Things are insane at the office right now."
She waved her hands dismissively.
"Our boss just launched two new accounts, and I’m in charge of monitoring them. I even have to pull overtime this weekend."
She rattled off every little detail, sounding entirely convincing.
"What a shame," I sighed, leaning back against my chair.
"I took so much time off, so excited for our honeymoon, and now it's all down the drain."
Ethan quickly chimed in, "Why don't you visit your parents for a few days? You’ve got the free time anyway."
Hailey jumped right on it. "Yeah, that's a great idea! Spending time with your family would be so nice."
They played off each other like a rehearsed duet.
"Yeah, I was actually thinking the same thing," I nodded.
"I think I'll go stay with my parents for a few days."
Ethan and Hailey both let out an almost synchronized sigh of relief.
"Have a safe trip, babe," Ethan said.
"Yeah, don't forget to bring back some local pastries!" Hailey added with a giggle.I smiled, saying nothing.
After dinner, Ethan got up to do the dishes.
Hailey and I sat on the couch watching TV.
She curled up on the corner cushion, completely relaxed, as if this were her own living room.
Glancing down, my eyes landed on her wrist.
She was wearing a delicate silver moon bracelet.
On my right wrist was an identical one.
Ethan had given it to me the night he confessed his feelings.
He told me he spent weeks searching for it, that it matched my vibe perfectly.
He swore it was a custom limited edition—only one was made, just for me.
I had been so touched that I hadn't taken it off since.
And now, sitting right next to me, another woman was wearing the exact same piece.
"Hailey, that bracelet is gorgeous."
I lifted my wrist, placing it right beside hers.
"Look, we match."
Hailey looked down. Her expression froze for a fraction of a second.
Then her mask slid back on.
"Wow, what a coincidence." She laughed awkwardly, pulling her hand away.
"Ethan told me this was a custom piece, one of a kind, bought exclusively for me," I said, locking eyes with her.
"Seems like my husband is exceptionally generous to you."
Hailey’s smile strained at the edges.
"Chloe, please don't overthink it. Ethan and I are purely friends."
She sat up straight, her voice dripping with earnestness.
"If my presence makes you feel insecure, I can stop hanging out with him altogether."
Every single time.
Whenever I showed the slightest hint of discomfort, she pulled this exact card.
*If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll cut him off.*
She always sounded so generous, so considerate.
Yet the calls and hangouts never stopped.
And every time she said it, she made me feel petty and neurotic for even bringing it up.
"Don't worry about it," I said, pulling my arm back with a light chuckle.
"It's totally normal for close friends to exchange gifts."
Hailey didn't reply. She just picked up her water glass and took a sip.
The faucet in the kitchen stopped running. Ethan walked out, drying his hands with a towel.
"Hailey, let me drive you home. It's getting late."
Hailey instinctively looked at me.
"No need, Chloe might get jealous," she joked casually.
"Not at all. Let him give you a ride," I replied with a smile.
Ethan grabbed his car keys. As he reached the front door, he suddenly turned back to me.
"Did you say something weird to her again?"
He frowned, a touch of annoyance in his voice.
"Stop being paranoid, Chloe. She just came over for dinner."
"I didn't say anything," I lifted my wrist, the silver charm catching the light.
"I just noticed her bracelet matched mine and mentioned how wild the coincidence was."
Ethan’s face went rigid.
He opened his mouth, stammered for a beat, and finally said, "I bought that for her birthday a while back. I didn't know what to get, so I picked up the same one."
He fired off the excuse rapidly, as if he had rehearsed it beforehand.
"Anyway, I'm taking her downstairs."
He opened the door and walked out. Hailey followed, turning around to wave at me.
"Bye, Chloe!"
The door shut.
I picked up my phone and opened the flight app.
The earliest flight out tomorrow morning was at 6:15 AM.About forty minutes later, the front door clicked open.
Ethan changed into his loungewear and slipped into bed beside me. After a few quiet minutes, he spoke.
"My work trip might take three or four days."
"You know how corporate is. I couldn't say no."
"Yeah, I get it," I said, rolling over to face him.
In the dark, his features were obscured by shadows.
"When I get back, I’ll take you somewhere amazing. I'll make up for the honeymoon."
He reached out, draping an arm over my shoulder.
"Sounds good."
"I booked an early flight to see my parents tomorrow. Leaving around six in the morning."
"Do you want me to drop you off? It's tough to get an Uber that early."
"No need. I already scheduled a ride. You focus on your own flight."
"Alright."
He gave my shoulder a squeeze.
"Get some sleep."
He turned his back to me, and within minutes, his breathing slowed into a steady rhythm.
I lay awake in the dark, staring into the ceiling without closing my eyes once.
When my alarm went off, Ethan was still sound asleep.
I turned it off instantly, crept out of bed, and got ready in silence.
Before leaving, I looked back at the bedroom. He was sleeping deeply.
I pulled the front door shut with a gentle click, wheeling my suitcase into the elevator.
The early morning air was brisk. The Uber driver yawned as he asked, "Where to?"
"The airport."
"Catching an early one, huh?"
"Yeah."
I leaned against the back seat, watching the streetlights blur past in the dawn.
My phone vibrated with a flight notification.
Departure at 6:15 AM, landing at 8:00 AM.
Their flight wasn't until 10:00 AM. That gave me more than enough time.
At 8:10 AM, my plane touched down.
I grabbed a cab and went straight to the resort.
I walked right up to the reception desk.
"Hi, I have a reservation for a deluxe king room today under the name Chloe Taylor."
The receptionist verified my ID and offered a polite smile.
"Welcome, Ms. Taylor. Your room is ready. Here is your keycard."
I took the card, lingering for a moment.
"Quick question—are there any other vacancies on this floor?"
She glanced at the system.
"Yes, quite a few. Occupancy is relatively low on this floor today."
Plenty of rooms.
Ethan’s claim that the resort was completely booked was a blatant lie.
"Thank you."
I took the elevator up to my floor.
I unlocked my room, set down my suitcase, and checked the time.
Pulling out my phone, I shot Ethan a text.
*Babe, did you land yet?*
Three minutes later, he replied.
*Just touched down. Waiting for baggage claim. The weather is great here. Miss you.*
*Miss you.*
I stared at those two words, a wave of disgust washing over me.
He was on his way to a luxury resort with another woman, yet he could type out "miss you" without flinching.
*Miss you too. Good luck with work,* I replied, then opened Instagram.
Hailey had just posted a new Story.
It was a photo of an office desk, multiple spreadsheets open on two monitors, and an iced latte next to the keyboard.
Caption: *Rise and grind! Smiling through the weekend overtime.*
Geotag: our hometown.
Looking at the post, my lips curled into a cold, mocking smirk.
Flawless execution.
She was sitting on a plane heading out of town, yet her social media showed her chained to her desk back home.
A calculated alibi.
If I hadn't received that phone call from the resort, if I hadn't flown out here myself, I would have bought her little sob story hook, line, and sinker.
Seeing that it was almost time, I pulled a chair over and sat right behind my room's door.
A few minutes later, the elevator chime echoed from the end of the hallway.
I held my breath and pressed my eye to the peephole.
The elevator doors slid open. First came a charcoal gray suitcase.
Then Ethan stepped out.
Right behind him was Hailey.
She wore a breezy white sundress, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, laughing playfully as she talked to him.
Ethan slowed down to wait for her, and they walked down the hall side by side.
Right outside the honeymoon suite door, Ethan pulled out the keycard.
I hit "Record" on my phone, took a deep breath, and stepped out into the hall.
Chapters (4)
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Watch & Promotions
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