She Said She’d Watch My Man. Then She Stole Him Chapter 01

She Said She’d Watch My Man. Then She Stole Him Chapter 01

My best friend Sera went through a rough breakup seven years ago.

After that, she decided all men were trash.

When I introduced my boyfriend Dorian to her, she crossed her arms and scoffed.

“Men are all actors. He’ll betray you sooner or later.”

Dorian let out a soft laugh and took my hand slowly.

“Sera, watch closely. See if I ever betray Mira.”

“Fine.” She slammed the table, like a knight guarding me, “I’ll be watching you.”

She meant it.

For seven years, whenever I wasn’t around, she’d send me updates on Dorian.

For seven years.

Every year, she found nothing wrong with him.

In the seventh year, Dorian proposed.

I said yes.

That night, I stumbled across a post online.

[I slept with my best friend’s boyfriend. What do I do?]

The comments were brutal.

She replied, crying:

[I’ve been watching him for seven years. Watching him love my best friend.]

[Tonight he proposed to her. And I slept with him.]

My fingers froze on the screen.

This coincidence gave me a bad feeling.

—

I scrolled back up. I called Dorian.

He answered, voice hoarse, “What’s wrong?”

I held my voice steady, “What are you doing?”

He let out a low laugh, “Busy. I’ll be back soon. Get some sleep.”

I said “Okay” and hung up.

I refreshed the post.

[She called. He’s going back now.]

[His voice was so gentle. Why is he so cold with me?]

I bit my lip so hard it hurt. My fingers turned white.

It was really Sera.

[He’s actually quite devoted. I’ve been hurt by men before, but he moved me.]

[He remembered every one of her periods. For seven years.]

[Once, she came back from a trip. It was pouring rain.]

[He had a fever and still drove to the airport to pick her up.]

I remembered that night.

I hadn’t called him.

But he was standing at the exit when I walked out.

No umbrella. Shirt soaked. Hair dripping.

He saw me and smiled before he walked over.

I touched his cheek. It was burning.

“Why are you so hot?”

He took my bag, voice rough, “Missed you.”

At home, his temperature was 103.

I was getting a towel.

He grabbed my wrist, eyes half closed, “Don’t bother.”

“I’ll get you medicine.”

He laughed softly, breath warm. “I’m not dying.”

The post kept updating.

[The next day, his fever wouldn’t break. He passed out at work.]

[I brought him to the hospital. He was burning up.]

[Still held my hand and said, ‘Go to the airport. Pick up my friend.’]

[His grip hurt. I went cold.]

[He was that sick, and he still wanted to pick her up.]

[I slapped his hand and said, ‘Are you crazy?’]

[He looked at me. Took a moment to recognize who I was.]

[Then he said, almost pleading, ‘Don’t tell her.’]

[I nodded.]

[Only then did he let go and close his eyes.]

My hand was shaking.

I could barely hold my phone.

I never knew he was in the hospital.

I only remembered him calling me and saying, “Baby, I’m away on a work trip.”

“Don’t miss me too much.”

I didn’t even think to question it.

Sera kept writing.

[I took care of him the whole time he was in the hospital.]

[He’s always put-together in front of Sera. Calm. Capable. Perfect.]

[But he’s actually difficult.]

[He hates IVs. Kept pulling them out. The nurses couldn’t stop him.]

[Only I could. He’d frown but lie back down when I got stern.]

[The nurse said I was special to him. They couldn’t get him to listen all morning.]

[But the second I came in, he stopped fighting.]

[I didn’t know if I should be happy or scared.]

I blinked. My stomach twisted.

That week, I’d asked Sera to hang out.

She stuck out her tongue, “Sorry, Mira. I’m taking care of a difficult patient.”

I teased her, “You sound happy. Is it someone special?”

She paused. Then laughed, “No.”

I thought she was finally moving on.

I thought I’d be her maid of honor someday.

[Tonight, he proposed to her. She got him to drink.]

[He’s allergic to alcohol. He still drank it all, smiling.]

[He wanted to give her that moment.]

[He said he was going back to the office. I followed.]

[I knew he’d be hurting.]

[I followed him in. He turned and told me to leave.]

[I stayed. I watched him try to loosen his tie.]

[His fingers were white. The knot only got tighter.]

[He never looks like this in front of her. With her, he’s always calm. Put-together. In control.]

[I walked over and helped him undo it.]

[He went still.]

[I asked him, ‘Aren’t you tired?’]

[His eyes shifted. He was quiet for a long time. Then he turned back to me.]

[He looked at me so long I thought he’d push me away.]

[Then he closed his eyes.]

[I stood on my toes.Kiss him.]

[He didn’t move.]

[He was still wearing the ring on his left hand. But my marks were on his back.]

[I don’t know what came over me. I never meant for this to happen.]

[I’m sorry, my friend. I lost myself.]