chapter 3: torn between two loves

Lisa sat in her car in front of the St. Augustine Country Club, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. Devon had already texted her twice, wondering where she was. Lunch was supposed to be a casual affair, a chance to relax and spend time together amidst the chaos of wedding preparations. But to Lisa, it felt like stepping into a minefield. Every word, every glance from Devon would be a reminder of the secret she was keeping.

With a deep breath, she turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, smoothing down her dress as she walked toward the entrance. The club was a familiar place, one where she and Devon had spent countless afternoons with friends and family, playing the roles they were expected to. But today, the grandeur of the place only heightened her sense of unease.

As she entered the dining area, she spotted Devon sitting at their usual table, his face lighting up when he saw her. He stood up, his smile warm and welcoming as he pulled out her chair. "Hey, you made it," he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "I was starting to think you'd gotten lost."

"Sorry," Lisa murmured, forcing a smile as she sat down. "Traffic was terrible."

"No worries," Devon replied, waving off her excuse as he signaled the waiter. "I'm just glad you're here."

Lisa nodded, her smile faltering as she glanced around the room. The club was buzzing with activity—couples chatting over lunch, businessmen discussing deals, waiters moving smoothly between the tables. It was all so normal, so expected. But inside, Lisa felt anything but normal.

"So," Devon began, his tone light as he scanned the menu. "I was thinking we could take a quick trip after the wedding, just the two of us. Maybe a week in the Maldives? I know you love the beach."

The Maldives. Sun, sand, and crystal-clear water. It sounded perfect—too perfect, almost like an escape from the reality that was closing in on her. "That sounds… amazing," Lisa replied, her voice distant as her mind wandered back to Sara.

Sara, who had seen right through her polished exterior. Sara, who had kissed her with a tenderness that left Lisa breathless. Sara, who had made her question everything she thought she wanted.

Devon was still talking, his voice a soothing hum that barely registered as Lisa's thoughts drifted back to the night at the pier. The way Sara's eyes had held hers, full of unspoken promises. The way her touch had ignited something deep within Lisa, something she hadn't even realized was missing. How could she reconcile that with the life she had built with Devon? How could she choose between the safe, predictable path and the unknown, thrilling one?

"Lisa? Are you even listening?"

Lisa snapped back to the present, her heart skipping a beat as she realized Devon was watching her with a concerned expression. "Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I asked if you were okay," Devon said, his brow furrowing. "You've been really distracted lately. Is something bothering you?"

Lisa swallowed hard, her mind racing for a plausible explanation. "It's just the wedding," she said quickly, hoping her lie would be convincing. "It's all happening so fast, and I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed."

Devon reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Hey, it's okay. I get it. Weddings are a lot to handle, especially one as big as ours. But remember, we're in this together. You don't have to do it all alone."

Lisa's heart clenched at his words. Devon was being so sweet, so understanding, and it only made the guilt gnaw at her more. How could she sit here, holding his hand, when her thoughts were consumed by someone else? How could she continue to deceive him, when he was nothing but kind and loving?

"I know," Lisa replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Devon. You've been amazing through all of this."

He smiled, squeezing her hand gently. "I just want you to be happy, Lisa. That's all that matters to me."

Lisa's throat tightened, her guilt threatening to choke her. She had to get away, had to clear her head before she said something she couldn't take back. "I'm sorry, Devon," she said suddenly, pulling her hand away and standing up. "I need to go. I'm not feeling well."

Devon stood up, concern etched across his face. "Do you want me to come with you? I can cancel my meetings this afternoon—"

"No!" Lisa's response was more forceful than she intended, and she quickly softened her tone. "No, it's okay. I just need some rest. I'll be fine."

Devon hesitated, clearly torn, but finally nodded. "Okay. But if you need anything, call me, alright?"

"I will," Lisa promised, her heart aching as she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. "Thank you, Devon."

Without waiting for his response, Lisa turned and hurried out of the club, the cool air hitting her like a wave as she stepped outside. She needed to think, needed to figure out what she was going to do before everything came crashing down around her.

Lisa drove aimlessly for a while, her thoughts a chaotic jumble. She didn't know where she was going until she found herself pulling up outside Sara's apartment. Her heart pounded as she stared up at the building, her mind screaming at her to turn back, to go home and forget about this. But her heart had already made the decision.

Before she could second-guess herself, Lisa got out of the car and walked up to the entrance. Her hand trembled as she pressed the buzzer for Sara's apartment. There was a long pause, and Lisa's heart nearly stopped as she waited, the seconds stretching into an eternity.

Finally, the intercom crackled to life. "Hello?"

Lisa's breath caught in her throat at the sound of Sara's voice. "Sara, it's me… Lisa. Can I come up?"

There was a moment of silence, and then the door buzzed open. Lisa pushed it, her heart pounding as she made her way up to Sara's apartment. Every step felt heavy, laden with the weight of the decision she knew she had to make.

When she reached Sara's door, it opened before she could knock. Sara stood there, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Lisa… what's wrong?"

Lisa didn't answer right away. Instead, she stepped inside, and Sara closed the door behind her. The apartment was small and cozy, a stark contrast to the vastness of the West mansion. It felt intimate, like a sanctuary.

"I can't do this anymore," Lisa said finally, her voice shaking as she turned to face Sara. "I can't keep pretending that everything is fine, that I'm happy with the way things are. Because I'm not, Sara. I'm not happy."

Sara's eyes softened with understanding, and she took a step closer, her hand reaching out to gently touch Lisa's arm. "You don't have to pretend with me, Lisa. I'm here, whatever you need."

Lisa looked into Sara's eyes, feeling the pull between them as strong as ever. She knew what she wanted—who she wanted—but saying it out loud felt like stepping off a cliff into the unknown. "I'm supposed to marry Devon," she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "But I can't stop thinking about you. I don't know what to do."

Sara's hand slid down to take Lisa's, their fingers intertwining. "You don't have to decide right now," she said softly. "But whatever you choose, I'll be here. I'll support you, no matter what."

The tears spilled over, and Lisa let out a choked sob, her emotions finally overwhelming her. Sara pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as she cried, her hands gently stroking Lisa's hair.

In that moment, wrapped in Sara's arms, Lisa felt a flicker of clarity. She didn't have all the answers, but she knew one thing for certain: she couldn't continue living a lie. She couldn't marry Devon when her heart was so clearly torn.

But the path forward was still murky, fraught with complications and the potential for heartbreak. Lisa knew that whatever choice she made, someone would end up hurt—maybe even her.

But for the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that maybe, just maybe, she could find her own happiness, even if it meant tearing her world apart to do so.

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