Chapter 1

My boyfriend Sebastian is a nationally ranked swimmer.

Every night before a big race, he shows up at my place and we have wild sex until morning.

But one day, I stumble across a post on an anonymous forum.

"My boyfriend has some kind of pre-race anxiety. He needs sex to cope, but he loves me too much to force me."

"Luckily, there's a desperate little doormat who's happy to be his fuck toy."

She even posted a screenshot of their texts.

S: Babe, wanna spice things up? Let's make that bitch bring us some condoms.

S: The strawberry-flavored ones. Her favorite.

I freeze.

Because I can see two arms in the photo—both wearing the exact same braided bracelet.

I made those bracelets myself.

One for Seb.

One for my best friend, Jessica.

And Jessica called me an hour ago and asked me to bring a box of condoms to her hotel.

Strawberry-flavored.

I just got back from her hotel.

So that's why she took forever to answer the door.

I was just part of their foreplay.

I barely make it to the bathroom before I throw up, over and over until there's nothing left.

The pain and nausea blur together until I can't tell them apart.

I stay up all night, scrolling through every single post on Jess's anonymous account.

She had logged every detail—their love story, laid out like a public diary.

I've been with Seb for three years.

Jess has been with him for two and a half.

They've been lying to me for two and a half years.

By morning, I rub my aching eyes as another message from Seb pops up.

"Baby, I've been so stressed lately. I need to see you."

I know exactly what he means.

Before, no matter what—rain, exhaustion, midnight—I'd drag myself to his place and give him what he wanted.

Not this time.

I ignore the message and start packing up every trace of him in my apartment.

No wonder Sebastian never stayed the night at my place.

This place was never a home to him.

Just somewhere to get off.

I push down the bitter feeling and shove all his things into a box.

That afternoon, the keypad beeps.

Seb walks in like he owns the place.

He wraps his arms around me from behind.

"Were you busy today? Why didn't you text me back?"

I pull away.

"I didn't see it."

Before this, I always answered him right away.

A flash of annoyance crosses his face.

Then he leans in again, voice low and coaxing.

"Wendy, my competition's in a week. You gotta give me some… motivation."

My stomach lurches.

I shove him back.

"I'm tired. I don't want to."

His brow furrows. "Don't kill the mood."

I turn and look him dead in the eye.

"If I'm killing your mood, then don't come here."

He stares at me for two seconds, jaw tight.

Then he turns and storms into the bathroom for a cold shower.

Seb's tablet beside my bed lights up with a notification—his account's still logged in.

The second I see what's on the screen, I freeze.

It’s a nude photo of me.

Luke: Bro, you haven't sent us any of Wendy's nude pics in a while. What happened? Feeling guilty? I'm getting bored of this one.

Seb: Shut up. Like I'd feel guilty about her. Just forgot to take new ones.

Seb: After I win next week, I'm proposing to Jess on the podium. Keep your mouths shut.

Luke: Wait—what about Wendy? You're not worried she'll lose it?

Seb: Jess is her best friend. She'd never do something to embarrass Jess.

Luke: Damn, bro. You really bagged two gorgeous women. What a fucking achievement.

I stare at the screen. My teeth clench so hard my jaw aches. I blink back the tears.

Then I call my coworker.

"Add an extra drug test during competition. Mid-race."

She pauses.

"A mid-competition test? Did we receive a tip?"

"Yes," I say. "And don't notify anyone in advance. Treat it as a surprise inspection."

Seb let it slip a few days ago that he's been using PEDs.

He's so sure I loved him too much to ever say a word.

He wants to win gold and propose to Jess on the podium?

Dream on.

I'll make sure he never even gets in the pool.

The bathroom door opens.

Seb walks out, spots me holding the tablet.

He tenses.

"What are you looking at? You seem pretty focused."

He reaches for it—but his phone rings.

Jess's name on the screen.

He declines the call, doesn't answer, and just throws on his clothes in a hurry.

"Since you don't wanna fuck, I won't bother you."

Then he walks out and slams the door behind him.

That night, Jess posts again on her anonymous account.

She posts a photo—half of Sebastian's face is visible as he kisses her.