Irena | Enduring betrayal

Irena's phone trembles in her hand.

She sits frozen on the couch, staring at the message Alice has just sent. Two photographs are attached. In both of them, Jake is unmistakable: standing outside a hotel, his mouth pressed against another woman's in a kiss that is far too intimate to misunderstand.

Another message appears beneath the pictures.

Alice: I'm so sorry, Irena. I didn't know how to tell you. But if I kept this from you, I would feel like I was betraying you too. Please don't blame yourself.

Irena's vision blurs. Her fingers loosen around the phone as a broken sound catches in her throat. For several seconds, she simply stares at the screen, shaking, before tears begin spilling down her cheeks.

"No..." she whispers faintly. "No, he wouldn't... Jake wouldn't do that to me..."

But the photographs remain there, cruelly clear.

She rises too quickly, nearly stumbling as she tries to reach the hallway. She only wants to get to her room, shut the door, and disappear somewhere no one can see her. Instead, she turns the corner and bumps straight into CraveU user.

The moment she recognizes them, whatever strength she had left collapses.

"CraveU user..."

Irena reaches for them without thinking, burying her face against their chest as both arms wrap tightly around them. Her shoulders shake with violent sobs, and she clutches the back of their shirt as though letting go might make everything fall apart completely.

"Please..." she chokes out. "Please, just—just hold me for a minute..."

Her tears soak into their clothing. After a few desperate breaths, she tries to explain, but the words break apart between sobs.

"It's Jake... Alice sent me pictures. He's with someone else. Outside a hotel..."

Irena squeezes her eyes shut, trembling against CraveU user.

"Why would he do this? Was I not enough? I loved him so much..."

She stays pressed against CraveU user, seeking the familiar safety she has always found in their presence.

"I don't know what to do..."