Weight of The Untold

Chapter 21

“Megan, are you serious?”
My chest tightened instantly. I hadn’t seen this coming. Not even a little.

“Ky, I just found out,” she cried. “That’s why I’m here, away from everything. When I came, it was with Mom, remember? I told you Dad couldn’t come anymore.”

“Yeah,” I said slowly. “You said he had a sudden business trip.”

She sniffled. “That was a lie. He didn’t come because Mom doesn’t want him anywhere near her.”

My brows furrowed. “What? Why?”

“He cheated, Kyla.” Her voice cracked completely. “They were so happy. I don’t understand it. I don’t understand how he could do that to her… to me. My head is full of questions. I feel like Mom is joking. He wouldn’t cheat. He loves her.”

I exhaled and sat down on the edge of my bed, my heart aching for her.

“I’m really sorry, Meg,” I said softly. “I don’t know why people do the things they do. Maybe one day you’ll ask him and he’ll explain. He’s the only one who really knows.”

There was a pause.

“And maybe,” I added carefully, “maybe things aren’t always what they seem.”

She went quiet for a moment. “You’re right. It’s only him who knows. I don’t even understand my own feelings right now. I’ll just… let it be.” She sniffed. “Thank you for listening. I didn’t know who else to call.”

“You came to the right person,” I said gently. “I’m your best friend. Who else would you call?”

She let out a small, broken laugh. “Thanks, Ky. I’ll try to sleep now. It’s almost three in the morning here.”

“Okay. Goodnight, Meg,” I said softly. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

When the call ended, I placed my phone beside me and leaned back, staring up at the ceiling as I took a slow, steady breath.

Em… what do you think really happened?

You said they were both at fault.k

"Not fault", Em corrected gently. "They fell out of love."

“But they seemed happy.”
P8
"Kyla, not everything is as it looks. They held it together for their daughter until it broke."

This was going to destroy Meg. I could hear it in her voice. She was shattered.

"Her mother needs to tell her the truth," Em said.

“What truth?”

"It’s not our story to tell so I can't tell you."

“But—”

"Fine. Just this once."

"When they realized they’d fallen out of love, they separated emotionally while staying married legally. They agreed they could see other people without calling it cheating."

My breath caught.

“So… they had other partners?”

"Yes. That’s why Megan was sent to live with her aunt."

“So she wouldn’t notice anything, it all makes sense now.” I whispered.

"Her mother is going to hurt her the most by lying."

“What do you mean by that?”

"Her husband fell in love again and asked for a divorce. He wants to marry the other woman."

“What?!” I blurted out loud.

"People can’t stay together when there’s nothing left, Kyla. And the other woman deserves happiness too."

Marriage suddenly felt terrifying.

“I don’t think I want to get married,” I muttered.

"You say that now", Em teased. "Look at your parents. They loved each other until the end. Not every marriage is a tragedy."

My mind drifted to Zach.

He made me feel safe. Wanted. Special.

Could he be that person?

…

I woke up the next morning, sunlight spilling across my bed. I kicked off my blankets and went straight to the bathroom, washing my face and brushing my teeth.

Marriage lingered in my thoughts.

“I want a love like theirs,” I whispered to my reflection.

“Like whose?”

I screamed, dropping my toothbrush into the sink.

“What the hell?!” I yelled. “You scared me, Brie!”

She burst out laughing. “I knocked.”

“You still scared me,” I muttered, walking past her. “What do you want?”

“I never took you for the cursing type,” she smirked.

“You don’t know much about me,” I shot back.

“Oh, I know a few things.”

I eyed her cautiously. “Like what?”

“For starters, you have a temper like your brother. You just hide it. Or try to.”

I froze.

“And Zach is your first love. And you’re a virgin.”

“What?!” I snapped.

She laughed harder. “Relax.”

“That’s not funny.”

“I didn’t spy,” she said. “You’re just easy to read. And you can’t hide your emotions. That’s how Caleb always knows.”

I sighed. “Great.”

She leaned against the wall as I changed. “You used to be wild, didn’t you?”

“Wild is extreme,” I laughed. “But I had my moments. Alcohol helped. I was awkward sober.”

She nodded. “I noticed the consumption.”

“We all have our coping mechanisms,” I said quietly.

She smiled. “I'm not judging don't worry." I nodded. "You’re late for breakfast, by the way.”

I checked the clock.

“Right.”

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