The first time I saw Leo's name light up Ava's phone, I tried to ignore it.
I told myself it was harmless.
Family business.
Company matters.
Her "helping me."
But lies taste bitter—even when you're the one swallowing them.
It started small.
A message at 9 p.m.
Another at 10.
Ava smiling faintly as she typed back.
Then midnight.
Then 2 a.m.
And eventually—
Every time her phone buzzed, I felt my heart tighten.
Not because of Leo.
But because she never smiled like that at me anymore.
One evening, as I reheated leftover mac-and-cheese, Ava sat on the balcony with her phone.
She thought I was asleep.
But the glass door reflected everything.
Her face lit by the screen.
Her lips curled in a soft smile.
Her fingers tapping quickly, eagerly.
My chest tightened.
I stepped closer to the door, slow and silent.
Her voice drifted in—soft, affectionate.
"Don't worry, Leo… I'll help you tomorrow. Yes… of course. I won't let you down."
I won't let you down.
She'd said that to me once.
On our wedding day.
Now she was saying it to another man.
And that man was supposed to be my brother.
When she came back inside, she startled when she saw me awake.
"Oh—Ethan. You're still up?"
I eyed her phone.
The screen was still glowing.
"Who were you talking to?" I asked quietly.
She hesitated.
Just one heartbeat—
but enough to cut me.
Then she forced a smile.
"Leo. He's struggling with a project. The poor guy doesn't have much support."
Poor guy.
Support.
Ava's heart wasn't breaking for me when I worked 14-hour days.
Her heart was breaking for him.
My throat tightened.
"Ava… it's late. Couldn't it wait until tomorrow?"
She blinked, as if confused why I even cared.
"This is important, Ethan. Your family is important."
Your family.
Not our family.
Not my family.
And certainly not her family—
not yet.
But she wanted it.
Desperately.
More than she wanted me.
The next day, a message popped up while she was showering.
I didn't mean to look.
I tried not to.
But my eyes betrayed me.
Leo:
Sleep well? Thank you again for tonight.
My chest twisted painfully.
Tonight?
What did she do tonight?
Was it just talking?
Comforting him?
Helping him?
Or something more?
I didn't want to think about it.
But the thought sank its claws into my mind anyway.
Ava came out of the bathroom, towel in her hair, humming softly.
I held her phone out to her.
"A message came through."
She froze for half a breath.
Then took the phone carefully, almost protectively.
Her lashes trembled.
"Oh… yeah. That's just Leo. Nothing important."
Nothing important.
Funny how all the "nothing importants" were starting to look like everything.
That night, I lay awake long after Ava fell asleep.
Her back was turned to me.
I stared at the ceiling and realized—
I wasn't losing her.
I had already lost her.
I just didn't want to admit it yet.