I Lost My Child,My Lying Boyfriend Broke Down

Miles came back an hour and a half later.

I was lying in bed, fast asleep.

Without even taking a shower, he climbed into bed, his body reeking of that nauseatingly sweet floral perfume. He lifted the blanket and leaned in to kiss me.

In my daze, I noticed a smudge of lipstick on his white shirt.

A woman’s intuition told me that it was the same shade as Ashley’s.

Then I saw his lips – those lips I used to love so much, now wet and disgusting, like something rotten in a trash heap.

Miles cupped my face, about to kiss me.

I pushed him away and rushed to the bathroom, hunching over the toilet, vomiting uncontrollably.

The disgust was physical and emotional.

But strangely enough, I hadn’t eaten anything that night.

No man likes being rejected, especially in such a blatant, humiliating way.

Miles frowned and followed me.

“What’s going on? Are you feeling sick?”

I didn’t bother pretending anymore. My voice came out cold and hoarse.

“Funny, I didn’t realize your ‘best buddy’ was such a sweet girl. You’re really living the dream, aren’t you?”

His frown deepened.

“I should’ve explained it to you beforehand – that’s on me – but stop with the passive-aggressive tone and just say what you mean.”

“I saw everything you two were up to in the living room tonight. And next time, maybe clean off the lipstick on your collar before coming home.”

Miles froze, his face a mix of panic.

He walked over to where I was washing up at the sink, trying to wrap his arms around me.

“Gretchen, it’s not what you think. It was just a game. Ashley’s family helped mine a lot when we were kids. I’ve always seen her as a little sister.

“What happened in the living room was nothing more than a peck on the cheek, a greeting. She was drunk and got a little clingy – that’s all. There’s nothing between us.

“We’ve been together for six years. We’re getting married in May. If you don’t trust me after all this time, then what does our relationship even mean?

“You know better than anyone – I’ve only ever loved you. From college until now, I’ve only grown to love you more.”

I knew Miles loved me.

When I first started college, I was going through a tough time at home, and my temper was terrible. Miles was always the one to take care of me.

Back then, we weren’t even dating. When I had issues with my dormmates and had to move, he, despite being broke, still took my new roommates out to dinner, asking them to look out for me.

After we graduated and started working, even when his job was at its busiest, he never forgot to treat my colleagues to the most expensive restaurants.

He wanted to make sure they respected me, hoping they’d take good care of me at work.

Miles rarely went out of his way to build connections or ask for favors. But for me, he lowered his pride again and again.

How could I not have fallen for him back then?

From our days in college, when he had nothing, to now, when he was successful in his career, I’d been by his side through six years of struggles. And in return, he’d cared for me for six long years.