I was planning a surprise trip to Alaska for my girlfriend, Nadia. I’d bought the tickets, imagining her face lighting up when I told her we’d finally see the Northern Lights together. But then, I opened a drawer I usually ignored. Inside were photos, Nadia, naked, lying in bed with her best friend, Kieran. And that wasn’t the worst part. There were lab reports too. Fertility tests. The date? The same day I was in surgery for stomach cancer. While I was fighting for my life, she was busy “helping” her best friend check if he could have kids. When I confronted her, she didn’t even bother pretending to feel bad. “Nash, we were just lying there,” she snapped, crossing her arms like I was the problem. “Nothing happened.” “Lying there? Naked?” I said, my voice colder than I thought possible. “It was medical. Purely medical.” She rolled her eyes. “Why do you have to make everything so dirty?” I didn’t reply. My phone buzzed, and a video came through. I opened it, and there it was. Her and Kieran, caught in 4K. My chest felt hollow. No anger, no sadness, just... nothing. Like my heart had finally given up. After a long moment, I made a call. “Mom, Dad,” I said quietly. “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll come back and take over the family business.” Before they could respond, I hung up. That’s when the pounding on the door started. “Nash! Open the door!” It was Nadia. Her voice used to feel like home. Now, it was just noise. I stayed where I was, staring at the floor. When I didn’t answer, she had someone break down the door. She stormed in, her heels clicking against the floor like gunshots. The moment she reached me, she slapped me across the face. “What is wrong with you?” she screamed. “Why would you attack Kieran? You know his health is fragile!” I touched my cheek, the sting dull compared to the ache in my chest. “Say something!” she yelled, her voice cracking. “What, cat got your tongue? Or are you just too much of a coward to admit it?” I let out a low, bitter laugh and reached into my pocket. Without a word, I tossed the photos at her feet. Her bravado faltered. She bent down, picked up the photos, and for a split second, guilt flashed across her face. “What… what is this?” “You tell me.” Her hands clenched, the photos crumpling in her grip. “It’s not what it looks like.” “Really?” “Kieran… he has fertility issues. The doctor needed my help.” I blinked at her, stunned. “Your help. Naked. In a bed.” She nodded, her expression dead serious. “Yes! It was medical. Completely innocent. I don’t know how you can even think otherwise.” I stared at her, my disbelief turning into something darker. “You disgust me,” she spat, her voice shaking. “You’re so... dirty-minded.” I stood there, silent, watching her unravel. What was I even holding on to? This wasn’t love. It never had been. And I was done pretending it could be.