The Devil for a Mate

One

*MOANA'S POV**

I gripped my bag tightly as I walked down the sidewalk. The day was bright, and I could hear laughter all around me, but I kept my head down.

My face was swollen and red from crying all morning.

My phone buzzed continuously inside my bag, but I ignored it.

Today was, without a doubt, the worst day of my life. Just one discovery had shattered everything—my happiness, my peace, all of it gone in a matter of hours.

For two years, things seemed perfect, but those strange feelings started creeping in—feelings of doubt, suspicions that something was wrong with Caleb. The late-night phone calls, the sudden disappearances without explanations. I knew something wasn’t right.

At first, I brushed it off, thinking I was overreacting. Maybe I should’ve kept ignoring it. Then I wouldn’t be dealing with this now.

I entered the restaurant and scanned the room. Lisa was nowhere in sight.

Choosing a table far from prying eyes and ears, I settled down, still trying to hide my tear-streaked face. My phone buzzed again. This time, I pulled it out.

Lisa’s name flashed on the screen. I answered.

"Hello?" My voice was scratchy from crying.

"What the hell, Moana? I’ve been calling you all morning! Where have you been?"

"I-I..." My throat closed up as more tears spilled over. How could I explain everything without breaking down again?

"Are you okay, honey?" Her voice softened. I nodded, then realized she couldn’t see me.

"Yes."

"That’s a lie. What happened? I’m sorry I’m not there yet—I got caught up in something. But I’ve been trying to reach you. You need to stop crying, okay?"

"Okay," I whispered and hung up just as the waitress approached.

"Would you like to order now?" she asked politely.

"I’m waiting for a friend. Just water for now, thanks," I replied with a stiff smile.

She didn’t walk away. "Are you sure you’re okay?"

"Yes, I’m fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile again.

She nodded, though she didn’t seem convinced, and returned shortly with a bottle of water.

"Thanks," I muttered.

I glanced at my phone again, seeing a message from Caleb. I read it—same as the others. He wanted to talk.

Of course he did. He probably knew I had found out.

I turned off my phone and tossed it back into my bag. Lisa would be here soon. No need for distractions.

Taking a small sip of water, I waited. The tears had dried up, for now, but I knew the moment I started talking to her, they’d come flooding back.

I checked the time—afternoon already. Just then, I heard her voice.

Lisa walked in, concern etched on her face.

"What the hell happened, Moana? You look terrible."

Despite everything, I chuckled weakly.

"I was right all along," I said, and she immediately understood.

"That bastard. I knew it. How did you catch him?"

"Remember that tracking device you suggested?"

She nodded.

"I installed it. For days, I watched him go to work, come home—nothing unusual. I thought I was overreacting."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, urging me to continue.

"I was ready to apologize for not trusting him, but then..." My voice cracked as tears welled up again.

"You didn’t apologize, did you?" Lisa’s eyes widened.

"No, I didn’t. That night, after dinner... and s*x," I paused, wincing. "He fell asleep, and I heard his phone ring. It was an unregistered number. I picked it up, but there was no answer. The call ended, so I tried calling back, but it wouldn’t connect. I saved the number anyway, and when I tried it later, a woman answered. I hung up immediately."

"Why didn’t you tell me?" she demanded.

"I didn’t want to jump to conclusions."

"You already had enough to know something was wrong, Moana."

"I didn’t want to believe it," I admitted, tears flowing freely again. She reached over, squeezing my hand.

After a moment, I continued, "A week later, I found a message on his phone—from a gynecologist."

Lisa’s face twisted in disbelief. "Wait... what? He’s trying to have a baby with another woman?"

I nodded.

"Tell me you confronted him!"

"I didn’t. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to believe it."

Lisa sighed heavily. "Moana, this is not on you. He’s the one cheating."

I chuckled bitterly. "Two days ago, I got a call from that same number. She asked to meet. I almost didn’t go. I thought it could be dangerous."

"You should’ve called me! I would’ve gone with you."

"I know," I said, voice trembling. "But I met her this morning. She... she showed me pictures, Lisa. Pictures of them together. And then she dropped the bomb. I wasn’t the side chick, Lisa. I was the other woman. All this time, I thought she was the affair, but I was."

Tears streamed down my face again. My world had crumbled this morning.

"Are you serious?!" Lisa’s voice was laced with fury. "That piece of—how could he do that to you? To her?"

"He’s been married to her for five years," I whispered.