{Author's Note: Listen to this song, Traitor - Olivia Rodrigo, whilst reading this chapter for extra feels for Lily's emotions}

Lily's POV

The apartment is dim, lit only by Kam's flickering candle and the soft orange glow of our string lights, but everything feels harsh to me. Too loud. Too quiet. Too exposed.

I'm still in my outfit from the party, my heels kicked off somewhere by the door, my hair a tangled mess I haven't bothered to fix. My skin itches. My throat burns. And my heart? It's currently somewhere between shattered and seething.

I sit on the edge of the couch, elbows on my knees, head in my hands like if I squeeze hard enough, I can make the night un-happen.

Kam's curled on the rug in front of me, legs crossed and eyes sharp, watching me like a loaded gun. Jennie's draped over the arm of the chair, face unreadable, but her silence is its own kind of pressure.

"I heard some people talking," I say finally, my voice raw and low, like I've been screaming even though I haven't said a word all night. "Outside the bathroom."

Kam straightens. Jennie lowers her mug.

"I don't even know who the other two girls were, but Rachel..." My voice cracks. "She knew I was in there. I swear to God, she knew."

I tell them everything. Word for word. The fake-friendly tone. The way she said Finn gets "confused." That awful smug laugh. The fucking juice post. I tell them about the gym picture, the captions, the way she made it sound like I was the other girl. And when I mimic her—"You're not seriously threatened by a few pictures"—my voice breaks halfway through, and I just shake my head.

Kam explodes. "The bitch said what?"

I don't even look up. "Like I'm delusional. Like I'm imagining the fact that she's been orbiting my boyfriend like some desperate ex he never had."

Jennie's voice is calm—too calm. "What other photos?"

I already know what's coming. I've seen them. But hearing it again? It hits different now. Like a punch I knew was coming but still couldn't dodge.

Kam opens Rachel's profile and starts scrolling like she's on a manhunt. Her jaw is locked tight. "Here. Finn on the pitch. Caption says, 'My favourite player ⚽.' Cute."

Swipe.

"She's in the kitchen. Caption? 'Best friend slash wifey duties ❤️.'" Kam scoffs, then holds the phone out.

My face goes pale as I look at the second picture. "That mason jar," I say aloud, my voice trembling. "Wasn't that the same jar I drank juice from at his place?"

My stomach lurches.

My throat tightens.

Kam looks at me, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"That's the one," I whisper. "The same one I drank from the other week. The same one I asked Finn about."

Jennie looks over. "What did he say?"

"He said it was from Shawn's mum," I say, blinking fast, trying not to cry. "He lied. He looked me in the eye and lied over something that didn't even matter. And that's what gets me. If he'd lie about something that small..."

"...what else is he lying about?" Jennie finishes, voice like a dagger wrapped in silk.

I laugh. Bitter. Hollow. "All this time, he said she was 'just around,' said he couldn't stand her energy, said he barely talked to her. Meanwhile, she's posting like she lives in his back pocket."

Kam's still scrolling. "She practically does. She tags him more than I tag you."

"And then I saw the gym photo," I add, my voice harder now, colder. "Caption was something like 'Needed a spotter.' He didn't tell me he went to the gym with her. He tells me when he has protein powder, but not that."

I can feel the fury simmering now, rising over the heartbreak like lava spilling from cracked stone.

"And maybe it's nothing. Maybe he is just being polite. But you don't lie to the person you love. You don't hide this kind of shit. Not if it's innocent."

Kam's nostrils flare. "Want me to break her nose?"

"No," I whisper, even though I want to scream yes. "I want to understand why he'd lie."

Jennie leans forward, her voice suddenly softer. "You're hurt. But don't talk to him while you're like this."

Kam nods reluctantly. "You'll go in swinging. And if he says the wrong thing, you'll burn the whole place down."

I press my hands into my face. My cheeks are hot. My eyes sting.

"I'll talk to him after his training tomorrow," I say, and even as I say it, my gut twists. "I need answers."

Kam shifts closer, brushing her hand against mine. "We'll be here. No matter what."

Jennie gives me a look that says she means every word. "We've got you. But if he lies again? We riot."

I nod, standing slowly. My body feels like it's dragging dead weight—every step heavier than the last. I leave them in the living room and slip into my bedroom. The second I close the door, the tears start.

I don't sob.

I just let them fall.

Silent. Angry. Exhausted.

I change into my pyjamas and climb into bed, curling up under the covers like I can hide from it all. But sleep doesn't come.

Only questions.

Only silence.

And one horrifying thought that I can't shut off—

What if I've been the fool this whole time?

*******

Morning came quickly, the first light of dawn filters through the curtains, waking me. I check my phone— ten-thirty a.m. He should be rounding up on his training. I have some time to gather my thoughts and prepare for the conversation ahead.

I head to the kitchen, where Kam is already making coffee. She looks up and gives me a small, encouraging smile. "Morning. How are you feeling?"

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "A bit better, I guess"

Kam pours me a cup of coffee and hands it to me. "Understandable."

I take a sip of the coffee, savouring the warmth.

Jen appears, yawning and stretching as she joins us. "Good morning. Did you get any rest?"

I nod. "Some. Not a lot, but enough."

"Good. That's something," Jen says, grabbing a cup for herself. "What's your plan?"

"I'm going to head over his place, he should be back around two p.m."

Kam and Jen exchange glances. "Do you want us to come with you?" Kam asks.

I shake my head. "No, I need to do this on my own. But knowing you're here for me helps."

Jen pulls me into a hug. "We're just a phone call away if you need us."

I finish my coffee and head back to my room to relax and take a shower. The hot water soothes my tense muscles, and I take a moment to collect my thoughts, letting the steam clear my mind.

Feeling slightly more refreshed, I dry off and get dressed. I choose a simple outfit— jeans and a soft sweater— and toss my hair into a messy bun. I take a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror. "You can do this," I tell my reflection.

*****

The walk to his apartment feels endless, and I spend every step replaying mock scenarios in my head, trying to figure out the best way to confront him. Each version of the conversation runs through my mind—some ending in tears, others in anger, and a few with relief. The idea that someone I trusted implicitly could deceive me gnaws at my insides, each breath tightening my chest.

I get to his building, walk to the elevator, and press the button for the fourth floor. I wait patiently, watching the numbers light up one by one. As the elevator slows and the doors begin to open, I glance at the display and see it reads the third floor. Someone must want to get on, I think to myself.

But nothing could have prepared me for who I'd see: Rachel, standing there in tiny shorts, a bra top, and a hoodie. My heart sinks, and a cold wave of dread washes over me. The last person I wanted to see now, the person who symbolizes everything wrong with this moment.

"Rachel," I manage to say, my voice tight with surprise.

She looks equally startled but quickly recovers, smirking slightly. "Oh, hey, Lily. What a coincidence."

She enters and goes to press the fourth floor but, recoils her hand once she sees it's been pressed already.

"You must be going to Finn's place" she smiles and lets out a light chuckle.

It takes everything and I mean everything , in me to not punch that smirk off her fucking face. But now is not the time to lose my composure. Breathe ... one ... two ... three ...

"So why are you here?" I manage to ask.

"Oh, I live here now," she replies with a smile. "Didn't you know? I moved in last month, just before Easter break."

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, Finn mustn't have told you," She says casually.

I stare at her in disbelief. What does she mean she's living here? It's been a month, and my boyfriend didn't mention anything about this.

"Well, it's nothing he needs to bring up," she laughs. "Besides, you trust him, and he trusts you. No harm, no foul."

Her words cut deeper, each syllable a twist of the knife in my back. I continue to stare, unable to find the words. The betrayal is like a physical weight, pulling me down, threatening to suffocate me.

"I'm just going upstairs to borrow something," she adds with a smile. "Handy to have a neighbour like him, huh? So reliable."

The elevator finally stops, and she steps out. Still dazed and confused, I forget to move until she turns back to me.

"Aren't you coming?" she asks, almost tauntingly.

I don't respond but follow her until we reach Finn's apartment.

"Shall I press the doorbell?" she asks, her tone dripping with mockery.

"Um... sure," I manage to choke out, swallowing the lump in my throat. Tears sting my eyes, but I fight to hold them back. I can't let her see me like this. I am not weak.

She presses the bell, and after a few seconds, I hear shuffling, and the door opens.

"Rach, seriously, you need to buy your own cutlery," Finn sighs, looking at Rachel before he notices me. His face pales.

Seeing Finn's reaction only intensifies the storm inside me. I want to scream at him, demand answers, but all I can do is stand there, my mind racing through a million questions and emotions. How could he not tell me? Why didn't he say anything about Rachel living here? Each unanswered question fuels my growing sense of betrayal.

Rachel steps back, allowing me to enter. I feel her eyes on me, judging, relishing in my discomfort. Finn's apartment, once a place of warmth and comfort, now feels foreign and hostile. I look at him, searching for some sign, some explanation, but he just stands there, speechless.

"Lily," he finally says, his voice full of shock.