Chapter 3
My heart skipped a beat as I saw videos from an unknown sender.
In the footage, Rhett was sitting on our couch with the neighbor girl, helping her blow out candles on a cake. His voice was sickeningly sweet:
“Happy Valentine’s Day, babe.“]
They kissed passionately.
They did the most intimate things imaginable in my apartment.[]
They were going at it in my bathtub, water sloshing everywhere like my heart was being dragged through broken glass, blood seeping from every wound. I watched the neighbor girl laugh brightly, making cute poses with Rhett for the camera.]
“Today’s me and Rhett’s first Valentine’s Day together! We’re gonna have so many more!“]
She asked him with a giggle: “Will living next door to you cause problems?”
She
Rhett’s face was flushed with alcohol as he pulled her closer.
“Nah. Wren and I go way back–she’d never suspect a thing. If I’m choosing to be with you, I’ll protect you.“]
The video cut to the present, showing the girl crying while Rhett held and comforted her: “Wren’s just blunt–she cares too much about me. Don’t take it personally!”
“I promise I won’t touch Wren anymore!“]
“I’ll save myself for you.“]]
The girl sobbed in his arms: “But she saw right through me! I was just standing there, and she already hated me.“[]
“I wasn’t trying to cause trouble–I just wanted to see you, babe.“[]
“What did I do wrong to deserve this?”
I watched Rhett’s face fill with sympathy as he soothed her: “Don’t worry. I’ll spend the next few days with you.“]
The video ended abruptly.
A message followed: [Wren, think your wedding’s still happening on schedule?]]]
My fingers went numb.]
The trembling crawled from my fingertips through my entire body until even my teeth were chattering. The love I’d been so proud of, the man I’d trusted completely, had just delivered the truth in the cruelest possible way.[]
I forced myself to breathe to stay sane, I saved all the evidence and sent it to my best friend:[]
[Rhett and I are done.]]]
When I was sixteen, I caught my dad cheating with his secretary. When I confronted him through my tears, asking why he’d do this to us, he just threatened me not to tell my mom. He was so sure Mom would fall apart if she knew the truth.[]
I didn’t believe him. I ran to my mother, crying as I told her about Dad’s betrayal.[]
Later, my mom really did jump from our apartment balcony.[]
I never had a mother again.]
That summer, I lost my mom and my dad. I became an outsider, shuffled between relatives who took me in out of obligation.]
The Neighbor’s Panties in My Red? Here’s Your Invite to Nightmare
Chaper 3
Rhett was the one who stayed with me through it all
Rhett was the one who told me with absolute certainty:
“Wren, even if you lose everything else, you’ll always have me.‘
e.“]
Now, Rhett–I don’t have you anymore either.
I sat like a zombie in the coffee shop, watching my best friend point at the girl in the video and curse: “This basic bitch isn’t even that pretty! How the hell did she catch Rhett’s eye? Remember when the actual school beauty was chasing him, and he wouldn’t even look at her twice! How did he turn into this?”
My friend got more worked up as she ranted, finally slamming her hand on the table.]
“I’m gonna find that bastard!“]]
“This is such bullshit!”
“That homewrecker basically moved in next door to mess with you–there’s no way we’re taking this lying down!“[]
♡ (2)
