Chapter One: All Men Are Scum
Ella’s POV
I decided to sleep with Dorian’s best friend after I discovered Dorian was cheating on me.
Keith Blackstone. Dorian’s best friend. The one person who could make him feel what I felt–betrayed, hurt and angry
Maybe it was petty, maybe it was wrong, but in this moment, it felt like the only thing that made sense.
“A wolf for a profile picture? How original” I muttered to myself as 1 scrolled through Keith Blackstone Instagram profile.
His account was everything I expected–flashy, confident, and just a little too perfect.
There were countless group photos at bars, snapshots of luxury cars, and those infuriatingly flawless smiles that seemed to say, “I know I’m hot.”
I paused on his most recent post, a picture of him surrounded by friends. Keith stood at the centre, his blue eyes glinting in the low light of the bar, his brown curly hair slightly tousled as though he’d just run a hand through it.
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He had everything Dorian wasn’t: charming, successful, and
unapologetically himself. The kind of man who could have any woman he wanted–and probably did. Maybe that’s why it felt so satisfying to finally hit “Follow” on his profile.
My finger hovered over the screen, hesitating just for a second before I typed out the message I’d been contemplating for days.
Ella: Are you single?
Keith: Yes, why?
Ella: Up for a one night stand with me?
I sent it before I could second–guess myself, my heart pounding in my chest.
The thought of what I was doing was both thrilling and terrifying. I didn’t know what Keith would say, but I knew this wasn’t just about Dorian anymore. It was about me.
The reply came quicker than I expected.
Keith: I don’t go after my friends‘ girls.
I was taken aback. How did he know who I was? Dorian and I hadn’t posted any pictures together, and I never made a habit of discussing my relationship online. My mind raced as I considered how Keith could
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Chapter One All Men Are Scum
have recognized me. Had Dorian shown him a photo of me? Or maybe, Keith had been paying more attention than I realised.
Ella: “I won’t be Dorian’s girlfriend much longer“.”
I texted back, my fingers trembling slightly. I didn’t know what to expect, but when the screen stayed silent, my suspicions about Keith knowing more than he let on were confirmed. He must’ve known about Dorian’s affair all along. Of course, he did. They were best friends.
I clenched my phone, trying to swallow the bitter taste in my mouth. All men were the same, weren’t they? Covering for each other, protecting each other’s dirty little secrets.
Keith’s silence felt like a betrayal in itself, even though I knew it wasn’t fair to blame him. He wasn’t the one who cheated on me, after all. But still, he knew. He knew, and he didn’t say a word.
Feeling the walls of my apartment closing in on me, I needed to get out. I couldn’t stay here, trapped with my thoughts and anger. I grabbed my phone and messaged my best friend, Nancy, asking her to meet me at the bar nearby. I could always count on her to make me feel better, especially in times like this.
Nancy was the one person who’d always had my back, no matter what. We’d been friends since college, and she was the kind of friend who would drop everything if I needed her.
She was already there when I arrived at the bar, her red hair shining
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Chapter One All Men Are Scum
under the dim lights as she waved me over.
A few patrons sat scattered around the room, chatting quietly or watching the game on the flat–screen TV mounted above the bar.
Nancy leaned toward me, her cleavage visible in the low–cut shirt she wore. “I’m always asking you to come out for a drink and you’re always busy with Dorian. ‘Oh, Dorian doesn’t like bars‘,” she imitated.
She was already sipping on a martini, her lipstick leaving a faint mark on the rim of the glass.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything I was about to unload. “Dorian’s been cheating on me,” I said bluntly, unable to sugarcoat it. I just wanted to rip the band–aid off, get it all out there.
Nancy’s
‘s eyes widened in shock, her hand frozen halfway to her glass. “What? Are you serious? That bastard!”
“Yeah,” I nodded, the words coming easier now that I’d started. “I found out about a month ago. Lipstick on his shirt, his secretary’s necklace–like the bi…” I held back, refusing to curse. “…has the same one he gave me for our anniversary.”
Nancy’s face twisted in disgust. “That scumbag. I knew there was something off about him. “But that wasn’t the worst of it. Do you remember that time Dorian went on a business trip? Well, look at this,” I brought out my phone and flashed it on her face.
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She reached for it, her eyes looking at the video clearly. “Isn’t this Jessica? What the hell is she putting on? So provocative and also what’s she spouting?” She questioned with a deep frown.
“Actually, that’s irrelevant… see this. If you zoom closely on the wine glass she’s holding, you’d see Dorian’s reflection from where he’s sitting across her” I spit it out.
What are you going to do?” Nancy asked
“I messaged Keith Blackstone,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. Saying it out loud felt even crazier than it had in my head. “You know, Dorian’s best friend? I asked him if he wanted to go out with me.”
Nancy’s jaw dropped, and for a moment, I thought she was going to spill her drink. “You did what? Are you serious? What did he say?”
“But I was rejected” I replied, a bitter smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
Nancy leaned back in her seat, processing what I’d just told her. “Oh, his loss” she said.
“Yeah, well, Keith didn’t exactly jump at the opportunity,” I said, swirling my drink around in its glass. “But at least I put it out there. I’m done playing by the rules.”
Chapter One All Men Are Scum
Before Nancy could respond, a tall, good–looking guy approached our table. He was the type who looked like he spent more time at the gym than at work, with broad shoulders and a confident swagger. He flashed me a charming smile. “Hey, I couldn’t help but notice you from across the bar. Care to dance?”
I looked at Nancy and she gave me an encouraging nudge. “Go for it, Ella. You deserve to have some fun tonight.”
I stood up, about to accept his offer when my phone buzzed. I glanced down, my heart skipping a beat as I saw Keith’s message pop up.
“10 PM my place?”
Chapter Two No Turning Back
Chapter Two: No Turning
