The Ex Who Faked His Death

Today was Noah Bellwethers college graduation, and it was also the seven-year anniversary of the day Daphne and I started dating.
We had made plans months ago to go snorkeling in the Maldives. Id booked the flights, reserved the overwater bungalow, and meticulously planned every excursion.
But she stood me up.
1
Because Noah had called her last night, extending a heartfelt invitation to his ceremony. At the end of the call, his voice had dropped into a pitiful, wounded whine.
But, Sis Ill be so bummed if you dont come. It just wont feel right without you
That was all it took for my girlfriend, Daphne Wells, to lose her mind, her heart swelling with protectiveness. Shed instantly promised him shed be there.
Liam, I cant make the Maldives anymore.
I pulled her into a hug, trying to salvage the moment. Couldnt you skip it? I thought
She cut me off before I could finish, pressing a swift, silencing kiss to my mouth. Then she wrapped her arms around mine, her voice dripping with affection.
Well have plenty of anniversaries in the future, darling, but Noahs graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime thing.
Liam, wait for me. I promise Ill make it up to you when I get back.
I was too dizzy and lost in the fog of the kiss to think clearly. My ability to reason evaporated, and I didnt push back.
She was gone by early morning, taking a redeye flight upstate.
Hey, whos this dude on Daphnes feed? They look awfully cozy.
At the bar, my best friend, Mark, nudged my elbow and shoved his phone into my hand.
Happy graduation, little brother. May your life journey from here on be nothing but smooth sailing.
Daphne had just posted it. The accompanying picture was a beaming selfie of her and Noah. She was wearing his cap and gown, her eyes crinkled with pure joy, leaning impossibly close to him.
Are you blind? It says little brother.
A sour, rotten feeling twisted in my gut. I tossed the phone back to Mark.
He just raised his shot glass, his voice laced with mocking sincerity.
Come on, guys. A toast to Daphnes little brother!
I kicked his barstool over and slammed back the whiskey in my glass. The liquor burned a fiery path down my throat, but the sudden rush of alcohol couldn't stop the sight of their blinding smiles from filling my mind.
I lowered my gaze and gave a bitter laugh.
If she hadnt stood me up, Id be underwater right now, somewhere off the coast of the Maldives, proposing to her. Id spent months preparing for it, secretly rehearsing the words countless times.
But shed packed up and left to attend her little brothers ceremonyshed even taken off the matching anniversary ring Id given her.
2
Noah Bellwether was the college student Daphne had sponsored.
Four years ago, right when my first startup finally hit its stride, shed gotten this spontaneous, high-minded idea to help fund a struggling student.
Liam, we came from nothing. Now that were finally comfortable, its our duty to give back.
Even though we were still pinching pennies, I couldnt dampen her enthusiasm. After a few inquiries, we chose Noah: a clever, hardworking kid from a poor background.
Four years. That was his entire college life, and the vast majority of our relationship.
In the beginning, hed regularly update both of us on his grades and his progress. I dont know exactly when it happened, but slowly, that changed. He started directing all his updateshis grades, his life detailsonly to Daphne.
Im a man. I knew what his lingering eyes and overly solicitous texts meant. But my simple, idealistic Daphne didnt.
Wed had one fight about it. Just one. Id let my frustration get the better of me, admitting that I was uncomfortable with my girlfriend having such an intense connection with another man.
Liam, how could you think that about Noah? Hes just a kid, hes our little brother.
Shed slapped a hand over her chest, emphatically defining the boundaries of their relationship. Her expression was one of such profound conviction that it felt like my mere suspicion was a stain on their pure sibling bond.
After that, I never questioned her about him again.
On one hand, the company was growing exponentially, and I was drowning in work, scrambling to meet targets. I figured having someone to keep her company wasnt the worst thing in the world.
On the other, I had absolute confidence in our relationship. More accurately, I had confidence in myself.
Daphne was so fiery, so driven, so vibrant. Why would she ever fall for a poor, timid, and emotionally needy college kid like Noah Bellwether?
The alcohol in my stomach was churning. I staggered into the restroom, threw up, and then stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Crows feet around my eyes
A creeping hairline
The eight-pack abs that were slowly dissolving into soft tissue
And Noah? He was no longer the awkward kid we first met. He was a blossoming young man, in the prime of his life.
He was the person I used to be.
And the person I was now?
Just the old guy with some cash that Daphne occasionally mentioned.
3
I was still reeling from the hangover when Daphne burst into my office, Noah in tow.
Id slept on the couch here out of convenience after drinking with Mark. Seeing them standing together in front of my desk made my head spin, but when I saw the resum in Noahs hand, I understood instantly. He was here to find his smooth sailing.
Liam, take a look at Noahs resum. See what position you think hed be a good fit for.
Daphne placed the single-page document directly on my desk. I scanned the few lines of text and frowned, sinking into contemplation.
This
Noah had majored in Automotive Technologya field that had absolutely zero overlap with our Financial Technology firm.
Daphne, my girlfriend, also happened to be our Head of HR. She knew this. She also knew that I was strictly professional, refusing to hire unqualified cousins or family friends, no matter how much they begged.
She was here because she wanted my approval of Noah. She wanted him to have a job, and she wanted it to be a respectable one.
Our Noah has great grades, lots of internship experience, and hes a fast learner. Hed be perfect for
Hearing her call him Our Noah, combined with the fresh memory of her sycophantic anniversary post, sent my jealousy boiling over.
I pointed to the college transcript, with its multiple failing grades, and the practical experience section that listed only hotel dishwashing and bussing tables.
I looked her dead in the eye. Daphne, are failing classes what you call great grades? And is washing dishes what you call extensive experience?
You
She was clearly stunned by my bluntness. Her face turned bright red, and she seemed incapable of speech. Noah, standing beside her, tugged timidly at her sleeve. Sis, its okay.
If Liam doesnt think Im a good fit, thats fine. I really am not that impressive. Ill just go look for another job.
My head was pounding. I didnt want to fight.
Look, how about this, Noah. You can start in Customer Service. Once you prove yourself, I can move you into
Daphne immediately objected, hands on her hips, her face a thundercloud.
Liam Archer, what is that supposed to mean? Customer Service? Hed have to work twelve-hour shifts and overnight! Are you kidding me?
Im not
I didnt understand. Why could everyone else start at the bottom, but not Noah Bellwether?
Noah stepped up again, gently pulling at my sleeve, his lips quivering.
Please dont fight because of me, Liam. Its not worth it. Im happy to do Customer Service. Liam must be doing this for my benefit.
Even though my health is always a bit fragile and I might struggle with the overnight shifts, Ill find a way to overcome it.
He looked absolutely devastated, as if he felt responsible for our argument. Daphnes tone immediately softened toward him.
Dont worry, Noah. Ill find you a better position, I promise.
She shot me a disgusted glare, grabbed his arm, and stormed out without a backward glance.
The whole encounter had made my headache worse. I watched Daphnes receding figure.
Suddenly, my girlfriend of seven years felt like a stranger.
4
Ive known Daphne Wells for twenty years. Weve shared the better half of our lives together.
We first met at the orphanage. I was seven; she was six.
My mother died young, and my father ran off with a rich woman. My frail grandfather raised me until he passed away, leaving me an orphan. Daphnes story was even sadder; she was abandoned on the doorstep just days after she was born.
Our bond was forged in the fire of a bullying incident.
Back then, I was a lot like Noah Bellwether four years ago. I was an orphan, painfully insecure, and smaller than the other boys due to malnutrition. The older boys loved to pick on me.
One time, they had me pinned down on the rooftop, beating me. Blood was streaming from my nose, and my head was ringing.
I remembered thinking, I hope they just kill me.
Just as I was losing consciousness, Daphne arrived like an angel descending.
The teachers and the police are coming! You garbage better run now!
She screamed at them, then activated the schools fire alarm, sending the bullies scrambling in fear.
Later, on the rooftop, she cleaned the grime and blood from my face and asked why I didn't fight back.
The less you fight, the more theyll hurt you, she said.
She said a lot of things that day. But the light radiating off her was so intense that I only saw her lips moving. I didnt hear a single word.
Years later, we were accepted into the same university.
When she found out, she clapped a hand over her mouth in delighted surprise. Liam Archer, what a coincidence! We got into the same school!
I stared blankly at her smiling, crinkled eyes, unable to respond.
Daphne, it wasnt a coincidence. I stole a peek at your application.
When summer break ended, we took a twelve-hour, worn-out Greyhound bus north to start our new lives. I studied Computer Science; she studied Finance.
In our junior year, I won a scholarship for my thesis and got a few thousand dollars in prize money. I drank too much that nightthe first time Id ever been drunkand made an absolute fool of myself in front of her. Daphne, Ive been in love with you for a long time.
The secret Id kept for a decade finally spilled out.
She lost her usual sharpness, looking at me with a bewildered expression. Huh? Liam, you you like me?
She looked so adorable in her confusion that I suddenly wanted to kiss her. Liquid courage took over, and I did it. Thankfully, she didnt get mad. She didn't push me away.
Weve been together for so long. We were so good together.
When did the shift start?
She changed the background of our couple photo she used to announce our relationship. She stopped making my profile her pinned post. We stopped having heart-to-heart talks before bed, and she started forgetting our anniversaries. The relationship-tracking app she begged me to develop hadnt seen a new update in months.
Somewhere along the way, she started drifting.
But I wouldn't let her go.
5
After that fight, Daphne was distant and cold. She didn't want me to touch her, and barely spoke to me.
She refused to sleep in our bed, instead hugging a duvet and retreating to the guest room. It was the middle of winter, and while I was showering, she even turned off the hot water.
Later that night, I grabbed my own pillow and crept into the guest room, squeezing myself onto the small twin bed beside her.
I sniffled, trying to sound pathetic. Daphne, Im sick. Dont you have any pity for me?
She turned her back to me, ignoring me. Moments later, she spun around and kicked me right off the bed.
Good! Be sick! I hope you get sick, you heartless man!
I hadnt been prepared. My head cracked hard against the corner of the nightstand, leaving a small gash.
Daphne gasped, her eyes immediately filling with remorse. Oh, Liam, youre bleeding!
She scrambled up, rummaging through the medicine cabinet for a bandage, which she carefully and intently pressed onto the wound. Seeing her fussing over me, my heart warmed.
See? She still cares.
I took advantage of her distraction, grabbing her small hand and kissing it. Dont be angry anymore, okay?
Liam, youre so good to everyone else. Why cant you be that way with
She let out a heavy sigh.
I didnt wait for her to say that name, the one that always grated on my nerves. I flipped her over and pinned her beneath me.
Daphne, Im freezing. Hold me.
If I kissed her until she was senseless and lost, maybe she wouldnt bring him up again.
But when she finally came to, her face flushed, she immediately whispered, Liam, Noah really is a good person. Please, just see this through and give him a chance.
The hand that had been tracing the curve of her cheek froze.
I cant describe the disgust and frustration of hearing another mans name come out of her mouth at that moment. It felt like I was being strangled by a tight vine.
I mumbled a meaningless excuse and fled to the balcony to smoke a cigarette.
When I returned to the room, the source of my agitation was sleeping soundly. I pinched her soft cheek. She winced and frowned in her sleep, but I still felt unsatisfied.
I reached out and pulled her close, wrapping her in my arms.
I didnt sleep all night.
But the next morning, when I saw the simple bowl of oatmeal shed cooked for me and the small note shed left behind, all the dark clouds in my heart vanished.
I gave a self-deprecating chuckle.
Daphne always knew exactly how to reel me back in.
So the man who won the personal battle compromised in the professional one: I transferred Noah Bellwether out of Customer Service and into the Executive Office.
I had a selfish motive, though.
I figured having that slick, pathetic kid under my direct supervision was better than having him hovering around Daphne.
What I didnt realize was that I, the successful CEO, a 985 graduate with a growing business empire, was about to be played for a fool by a poor, small-town college dropout.

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