I was watching Aaron during his quiet time, noticing the subtle shifts in his expression as he flipped through his leather\u2011bound ESV Study Bible\u2014his prized possession from a scripture recall contest at age 20. Its silver\u2011edged pages were smudged from use, and I couldn\u2019t help envying its reverence.<\/p>\n
He placed it down softly and told me, with that gentle smile of his, \u201cPlease don\u2019t touch my Bible. It\u2019s filled with my personal notes\u2014it\u2019s private, sacred.\u201d His tone made me feel grateful to be with someone so devout, though something about the word \u201csacred\u201d unsettled me.<\/p>\n
Later, he said he\u2019d be camping with his male cousins for a weekend of Bible study and worship in nature. I thought it was beautiful and pure, and he seemed eager\u2014almost otherworldly.<\/p>\n
But on Saturday, while searching in our basement for a toolbox, I found his duffel and camping gear there\u2014not loaded in his car\u2014with his Bible resting on top. Opening it, I discovered a hidden envelope slipped inside. The handwriting was unfamiliar, the notes intimate\u2014a love letter full of longing, signed with a lipstick kiss, and mentioning meetings at \u201cthe cabin.\u201d A motel receipt tucked inside sealed it.<\/p>\n
When I called the motel, the clerk confirmed a recent stay with a woman named Claire\u2014my Claire, my best friend and maid of honor, unknowingly planning my wedding. Everything clicked: her drop\u2011ins, their synchronized trips.<\/p>\n
My world shattered. I confronted Claire; she hung up. Chaos roiled inside me. I packed a bag, ready to leave, but Aaron burst in, pleading, trying to explain. Holding up the letters, I told him there was no explanation left. I warned him I\u2019d contact Claire\u2019s husband. He collapsed, utterly defeated.<\/p>\n
Without hesitation, I walked away into the night.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"