“You Went Chicago with Her? — Bethany Snaps 😱”
Bethany slammed her phone onto the table, the screen lighting up with the notification she had been dreading. Her heart pounded as she read the message over and over: “We just got back from Chicago. Amazing trip!”
Her fingers trembled as she scrolled through the photos—there they were: Larry and her.
“You went to Chicago with her?” Bethany’s voice cracked as she shouted, her eyes narrowing with disbelief.
“Bethany… I…” Larry’s voice trailed off. He was standing awkwardly in the living room, avoiding her gaze.
“No! Don’t even try to explain,” she snapped, pacing back and forth. “After everything, you just go and do this? With her? Really?”
Larry ran a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated.
“Beth, it’s not like that. I didn’t think—”
“You didn’t think?!” Bethany’s hands were shaking now. “You didn’t think I’d find out? That I’d see the pictures all over Instagram?”
The room felt suffocating. The air was thick with tension. Bethany’s mind raced through every laugh, every shared moment she had with Larry—moments that now seemed trivial compared to the images she had just witnessed.
“I just thought it would be… harmless,” Larry said softly, almost pleading. “It was a business trip, okay? We had to meet a client, and she just happened to be there.”
Bethany stopped pacing, her eyes locking onto his.
“A business trip? So you’re telling me all those selfies, the fancy dinners, the late-night walks along the river… that was ‘business’?”
Larry opened his mouth to respond, but Bethany cut him off.
“Don’t. Don’t even. I trusted you, Larry. And this… this just proves that I can’t anymore.”
Her voice shook, but there was a new steel in her tone.
“Do you have any idea how this looks? How it feels?”
Larry swallowed hard.
“I… I messed up. I should’ve told you. I didn’t want to start a fight, Beth. I never meant to hurt you.”
“Never meant to hurt me?” Bethany laughed bitterly, a short, sharp sound. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not just about Chicago, Larry. It’s about respect. It’s about honesty. And you… you chose her over me. Even if you say it’s ‘just business,’ it’s still a choice.”
Larry’s shoulders slumped.
“Beth… please. I can fix this. Just… give me a chance to explain.”
“Explain?” Bethany’s eyes glinted with anger. “You don’t get to explain something like this away. Some things… once they’re done, they can’t be fixed with words.”
She picked up her coat, her hands trembling but her resolve strong.
“I need some air,” she muttered, not waiting for his response.
She walked out of the apartment, leaving Larry standing there, guilt written all over his face.
The streets were cold, but Bethany barely noticed. Her mind replayed every detail of the trip she had just seen online: the skyline photos, the laughter, the casual touches. Each image felt like a punch to the gut.
Her phone buzzed again. It was Larry. She ignored it, letting it ring into voicemail.
Hours later, she sat on a park bench, the city lights of Chicago flickering in her mind. She wasn’t in Chicago, but the memory of the photos made her feel like she was trapped there anyway.
“I can’t believe I trusted him,” she whispered to herself, wrapping her arms around her knees. “I thought we had something real.”
Meanwhile, Larry paced his apartment, scrolling through the same photos that had shattered Bethany’s trust. He hated himself for not being upfront, for letting things spiral out of control.
“I never wanted it to go this far,” he muttered. “I just… I thought I was doing the right thing. I didn’t realize… I didn’t think about her feelings at all.”
Back at the park, Bethany’s phone buzzed again. She glanced at it—another message from Larry:
“Please, Beth, let’s talk. I can explain everything. I promise.”
Her fingers hovered over the screen, then she dropped the phone.
“No. Not yet,” she said firmly. “Not until I know he really understands what he’s done.”
The next morning, Larry showed up at her door, looking exhausted and remorseful. Bethany opened it just a crack, her eyes guarded.
“Beth… I know I messed up. I know I hurt you. I can’t change the past, but I need you to know it wasn’t what it looked like,” he said, his voice earnest.
“Then tell me,” she said, her voice steady, but her hands clenched into fists. “Explain it. Don’t try to sugarcoat it.”
Larry took a deep breath.
“We were in Chicago for the client. She… she was my assistant for the meeting. That’s it. The dinners, the walks… they were professional. I made a mistake sharing photos… I see that now. But it wasn’t what it seemed.”
Bethany studied him, searching for any sign of dishonesty. The truth was, she didn’t know what to believe anymore.
“And yet,” she said softly, “it hurt. And it matters, Larry. You can say it’s professional, but the way it felt for me… that’s real.”
Larry nodded, swallowing hard.
“I know. I don’t expect you to forgive me immediately. I just want the chance to rebuild your trust.”
Bethany took a step back, letting him in but keeping her distance.
“Rebuilding trust… that’s not something that happens overnight. You’ve got a long way to go, Larry.”
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes,” he said, his eyes earnest.
She sighed, her anger softening slightly but not disappearing.
“We’ll see,” she said, finally letting a small sliver of hope creep in. “But this… this Chicago thing? It’s a lesson. One I hope you never forget.”
Larry nodded solemnly, understanding the weight of his mistake. He had a long road ahead, but he was ready to walk it if it meant keeping Bethany in his life.
Bethany looked out the window, the city waking up around her. She knew the coming days would be difficult, full of tough conversations and painful honesty. But for the first time since seeing those photos, she felt a spark of control over her own feelings.
“You went to Chicago with her…” she murmured, more to herself than anyone else. “Yes, you did. But now, it’s time to face the consequences.”
And in that moment, Bethany realized something important: anger could be powerful, but clarity was stronger.
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