My Power Showed Me His Cheating An Hour Earlier Chapter 02

My Power Showed Me His Cheating An Hour Earlier Chapter 02

Celine froze. Her eyes instantly went red and glassy.

Like she never in a million years expected me to say something like that.

Garrett stepped in front of her almost immediately.

“Mia, Celine lived abroad for years. She’s just used to dressing like this.”

“She’s not as complicated as you’re making her out to be.”

I watched him shield Celine with his body, and suddenly the whole thing felt absurd.

Of course I knew Celine had lived abroad.

Because the person who sent her there was me.

The year she couldn’t scrape together her first year’s tuition, I paid it with money I’d saved for two years.

The day we said goodbye at the airport, Celine clung to me and cried so hard she could barely stand.

“Mia, you’re the best friend I’ll ever have.”

“When I come back, I’ll be your maid of honor for sure.”

Later, Garrett started flying overseas for business regularly.

I actually sat him down and asked him a favor.

“Celine’s all alone over there. She doesn’t know anyone.”

“If you get the chance, look out for her a little for me.”

Garrett had ruffled my hair and laughed, calling me too softhearted.

I’d laughed too.

I thought the only reason they even knew each other was because of me.

After that, every time Garrett flew to that city, he’d swing by to see Celine.

At first, he’d send me photos to keep me in the loop.

“The stores near Celine’s campus close early, so I brought her some stuff.”

“Celine’s been stressed about her thesis, so I took her out for a meal.”

Then, gradually, Garrett started showing up all over Celine’s social media. He was hauling her luggage, taking her to the doctor. On her graduation day, the person standing next to her in the photos was Garrett.

It’s not like I never felt uncomfortable.

But every single time, I told myself the same thing.

Celine is my best friend. Garrett only looks after her because of me.

It took until now for me to understand.

Some lines don’t get crossed all at once.

Celine was still standing in the front hallway, eyes rimmed red.

“Mia, if it bothers you, I’ll leave right now.”

Her mouth said she’d leave. Her feet didn’t move.

Garrett frowned.

“It’s late, and your shower’s broken. Where else are you going to go?”

“Just go ahead and useours.”

I didn’t say another word.

But my gaze drifted to Celine’s neck.

She was wearing a diamond necklace.

A few days ago, I’d seen the receipt in Garrett’s study.

The price was at least ten times what my engagement ring cost.

At the time, I’d assumed it was a wedding gift Garrett was getting for me.

I’d been secretly looking forward to it for days. I’d even imagined the moment he’d clasp it around my neck on our wedding day. I was sure I’d cry.

But now that necklace was hanging around Celine’s neck.

I looked down at the engagement ring on my hand.

Simple. Plain. Cheap.

When Garrett had slipped it on my finger, he’d said, “A ring doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s the thought that counts.”

I’d been genuinely moved by that for a long time.

I thought he wasn’t incapable of romance. He just cared more about meaning than money.

Now I understood.

Turns out “the thought” depends on who it’s for.

Celine walked past me into the living room, head slightly lowered.

As she passed, I caught the same perfume scent I had noticed on Garrett earlier.

My fingertips curled tighter, one knuckle at a time.

She acted like nothing had happened, navigating the apartment like she’d been there a hundred times, heading straight for the bathroom.

Garrett pulled a fresh towel from the cabinet and handed it to her.

It was one of the matching towels I’d bought for our married life together. Cream-colored. A set of two.

I’d planned to save them for the night after the wedding, so we could use them for the first time together.

Celine took it without a second thought.

“You’re always so thoughtful. Mia’s trained you well.”

Garrett’s voice was gentle as he murmured to her, “Careful, the floor’s slippery.”

After the bathroom door closed, the sound of running water started almost immediately.

I stood in the middle of the living room and suddenly felt like a guest in my own home.

This was supposed to be mine and Garrett’s place.

But Celine knew the door code. She walked in wearing a nightgown. She was using my new towels. She was wearing the wedding gift I thought was meant for me.

And Garrett didn’t see a single thing wrong with any of it.

He even walked over to me, like he’d finally found a spare moment to calm me down.

“Mia, don’t overthink this.”

“You and Celine are so close. I only look after her because of you.”

I didn’t look up.

After a long silence, I let out a quiet “Mm.”

Garrett seemed to relax, like a weight had been lifted.

He probably figured I’d been soothed again.

The water was still running in the bathroom.

I went back to the bedroom and closed the door.

On my phone, a new message from the wedding planner glowed on the screen.

[Ms. Sutton, the wedding poster needs final approval tonight.]

I looked down and typed.

[Change the name.]

The planner replied quickly: [Ms. Sutton, do you mean the bride’s name on the poster?]

I tugged at the corner of my mouth and typed back, one word at a time.

[Yes.]

[Change the bride to Celine Marsh.]