Chapter 4: The Wife

The soft glow of the streetlights illuminated the quiet city streets as Arin made his way home from the café with Jace. It had been a wonderful evening, filled with laughter and shared moments that had left Arin feeling lighter than air.

As they reached the entrance to their building, Arin turned to Jace with a smile. "Thanks for tonight, Jace. I had a really great time."

Jace returned his smile, his eyes warm and sincere. "Anytime, Arin. I always enjoy spending time with you."

With a final wave, Jace disappeared into the building, leaving Arin standing alone on the sidewalk, his heart pounding in his chest. As he climbed the stairs to his apartment, his mind was filled with thoughts of Jace—his infectious laughter, his bright smile, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his writing.

Lost in his thoughts, Arin nearly stumbled over a small package that had been left outside his door. Puzzled, he picked it up and turned it over in his hands, searching for a return address. When he found none, he hesitated for a moment before carefully opening it.

Inside, he found a beautifully wrapped book with a note attached. "To Arin, from your secret admirer," the note read in elegant script.

Arin's heart skipped a beat as he pulled the book from its wrapping, his fingers trembling with anticipation. It was a copy of his favorite novel, a rare edition that he had mentioned to Jace in passing during their conversation at the café.

A smile spread across his face as he realized the significance of the gift. Jace was more than just a friend—he was someone who paid attention, someone who cared deeply about him. And as Arin flipped through the pages of the book, he couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was something more between them.

The next morning, Arin woke with a sense of excitement coursing through his veins. He couldn't wait to see Jace again, to thank him for the thoughtful gift and to spend more time in his company. But as he made his way downstairs to the bookstore, his thoughts were interrupted by the sight of a woman standing outside the entrance, her face drawn and anxious.

"Can I help you?" Arin asked, approaching her with a friendly smile.

The woman turned to face him, her eyes brimming with tears. "I'm looking for my husband. He said he was coming here to meet someone, but he hasn't come home, and I'm starting to worry."

Arin's heart sank at the woman's words. He couldn't bear the thought of causing someone pain, especially someone as kind and genuine as Jace's wife appeared to be.

"I'm sorry, I haven't seen anyone matching that description," Arin replied, his voice tinged with regret.

The woman's shoulders slumped in disappointment, and she let out a heavy sigh. "Thank you anyway. I guess I'll just have to keep looking."

As she turned to leave, Arin's mind raced with conflicting emotions. He knew he should tell her the truth, that her husband had spent the evening with him, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not when it meant potentially ruining the happiness of someone he cared about.

With a heavy heart, Arin watched as the woman disappeared down the street, her figure gradually fading into the distance. He knew he had made a mistake, that he should have been honest with her from the start. But now, it was too late, and he was left to grapple with the consequences of his actions.

As he opened the door to the bookstore, the familiar scent of books and ink washed over him, enveloping him in a sense of comfort and familiarity. But despite the reassuring surroundings, Arin couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him from within.

With a heavy sigh, he pushed aside his guilt and forced himself to focus on the task at hand. There would be time to make things right later, but for now, he had a job to do—a job that required his full attention and dedication.

But as the hours passed and the day wore on, Arin found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. His mind kept drifting back to the image of Jace's wife standing outside the bookstore, her eyes filled with worry and fear. And try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had done something unforgivable—that he had betrayed the trust of someone who had done nothing but show him kindness and generosity.

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the streets grew quiet once more, Arin realized that he couldn't keep the truth hidden any longer. He had to tell Jace's wife the truth, no matter how painful it might be.

With a heavy heart, he locked up the bookstore and set off into the night, his mind consumed by thoughts of the woman he had wronged and the friend he had betrayed.