His ears still ringing with that LL Moore had said to his in his office. The sexual scandal had taken a turn for the worst in a matter of minutes. It felt like everything was spiraling out of control. It hadn't taken long for Moore to come out and say;

"And this one has absolutely zero credibility. "

"We did some investigation."

"She represents herself as a young woman in her 20s."

"The fact is, she's a divorced 40-something housewife from New Jersey."

"Birth certificate...

Marriage license...

Bankruptcy report..."

"The woman is a con artist."

"Con artist. The women is a con artist."

"She has absolutely zero credibility."

"Divorced, 40 something."

The words circling around in his head. Why? Why did she lie to him? They had known each other for months and months. They had been dancing around the idea of being together. She should have trusted him; should have said something. Confessed.

This played out the scene from earlier. Constantly looping on repeat. He felt every emotion just as deeply as he had the first time with each re-play.

He saw the papers laid out on his desk, each one like a dagger to his heart. Normally, he would despise being in the same room as LL Moore, but this was a whole new level of discomfort that felt unbearable.

Everything he thought he knew about Liza was crashing down around him, and the realization was like a tidal wave. If she could so easily lie about her age, what else had she twisted into a facade? His heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces, especially after he had just clawed his way out of the darkness left by Pauline.

Everything he knew about Liza was a lie. He was sinking, drowning in confusion and pain, his fingers shaking as he flipped through page after page of Liza's life, desperately searching for something—anything—that felt real. Who was she, really? His breath caught in his throat as he uncovered the truth: she was divorced, a soccer mom turned coach, living a life that seemed so perfect. The irony of it all gnawed at him; she had painted a picture of a free spirit, someone who lived life on her own terms, yet here she was

The memories of their moments together, the laughter they shared, now twisted into something bitter and painful. He had kissed her in the middle of the Paramus Mall, feeling the warmth of her lips against his, and had been chasing that feeling in his stomach ever since. It was intoxicating, that rush of connection, the way she would lean in close, her eyes sparkling with mischief. He had shamelessly and subtly flirted with her in the office. What hurt the most was that she had flirted back, teasing him with a smile that felt genuine, while hiding a life that was anything but.

And she was married. Was this a joke to her? Was she secretly laughing at his expense, getting a kick out of his misery? He put his heart on the line just for everything to fall apart.

He had fallen for her, slowly but surely, and now it felt like the ground beneath him was crumbling. He remembered how he had practically screamed at her for dating his old college roommate, Jay, a reaction fueled by jealousy and confusion. He had thought he was protecting himself, but now he felt like an idiot, lost in a web of betrayal and heartache. The weight of it all pressed down on him, leaving him gasping for air, questioning everything he thought was real and true.

As he sat there, surrounded by the remnants of their relationship, he couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal. Each paper felt like a reminder of the trust he had placed in her, now shattered. He recalled the late-night conversations, the secrets they had shared, and how they had promised to be there for each other. It all felt like a cruel joke, a performance where he had unwittingly played the lead role, while she had been the mastermind behind the curtain, orchestrating every move.

His mind raced through the moments they had spent together, the laughter echoing in his ears, now tainted with the bitter taste of deception. He had wanted to believe in her, to trust that the connection they shared was real. But now, it felt like a mirage, fading away as he reached out to grasp it. The pain of realization cut deeper than any wound he had ever known, leaving him to wonder if he would ever be able to trust again.

He was left alone with his thoughts, the silence of the room amplifying the turmoil within him. The shadows danced on the walls, echoing the chaos in his heart. He had to confront the truth, to face the reality of what Liza had done. But how could he move forward when everything he believed in had been turned upside down? The journey ahead felt daunting, but he knew he had to find a way to heal, to reclaim his life from the ashes of betrayal.

He felt so lost. Maybe going back and settling for Pauline wasn't such a bad idea anymore. She had lied to him about how she felt suffocated in their relationship, but he could convince himself that Pauline's lie came from a place of love, an inability to articulate her feelings without fearing how it might hurt him.

Liza's lie, on the other hand, struck him differently. It was a fundamental deception, one that shook the very foundation of their connection: she had claimed to be 26, vibrant and full of youthful energy, when in reality she was teetering on the edge of her 40s. He couldn't wrap his mind around how someone could conceal such a significant part of themselves. It wasn't just a number; it was a part of her identity, a decade of experiences and choices that shaped who she was.

How could he trust her again?