July

My boyfriend, Ethan, and I had been together for three years. I noticed all his social media handles were "July." Assuming he just had a sentimental attachment to that month, I didn't think much of it. Until our wedding day. His ex-girlfriend showed up with a gift. The name on the card? Juliet. It hit me like a ton of bricks. He didn't love July, he loved Juliet. My world crumbled.

1.

At the reception, a girl in a white sundress, clearly drunk, stumbled over to us. Ethan, face like thunder, told her to cut it out. Ignoring him, she turned to me with a sickly sweet smile. "Hey, bride-to-be, I hear you're pregnant. Picked a name yet?" I instinctively cradled my bump. "We're thinking of calling her Lily," I replied softly. "Lily," she giggled, her eyes welling up as she stared at Ethan. "How could you name her Lily? He doesn't even want Lily anymore." I froze, utterly confused. The air thickened with awkward silence until Ethan's best man, Josh, jumped in. "She's had a bit too much to drink, Mrs. Miller. I'll take her back to the hotel." After they left, I couldn't hold back. "Ethan, who was that?" I asked, my voice trembling. He looked at me intently, his expression carefully neutral. "Just an old classmate." I tried to press further, but he swiftly changed the subject. "Honey, my client's a little out of control. I need to go check on him." "Okay..." I mumbled, swallowing the questions that burned on my tongue. Watching him rush off, a knot of unease tightened in my stomach.

2.

My best friend, Chloe, burst into the bridal suite, a fancy gift box clutched in her hand. She slammed it down in front of me. "Mia, this is from your husband's little side piece." "Side... piece?" My heart leaped into my throat. The girl in white flashed in my mind, draining the color from my face. "Yeah, the one who was practically dry-humping Ethan's leg and crying like a banshee," Chloe scoffed. "So disrespectful, making a scene like that at someone else's wedding…" Her words amplified my anxiety. Chloe squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, though. Ethan's, like, the poster boy for devoted husbands. He wouldn't do that to you." She was right. Ethan spoiled me rotten. Everyone said I was marrying my Prince Charming. I shouldn’t doubt him. Taking a deep breath, I tried to push away the nagging feeling of dread. I absentmindedly fiddled with the gift box while chatting with Chloe. Suddenly, the name on the card caught my eye. Juliet. Wait. Juliet…Lily… My blood ran cold. The pieces clicked into place, and I felt the air whoosh out of my lungs. My perfect world shattered. "Mia? Are you crying? What's wrong?" Chloe's voice was laced with panic. "Where's Ethan? Get him back here. I need to talk to him, now!" "Okay, okay! I'll find him. Just breathe, Mia! You've gotta stay calm for the baby."

3.

My hands shook as I handed Chloe my phone. "Video call him," I choked out, desperate to see him. Chloe nodded, but Ethan hung up as soon as the call connected. Gripping t...