On Valentine's Day, I showed up at my girlfriend’s office with a gift, ready to surprise her after work.
I saw her walk out of the building laughing and chatting with another man and getting into the same car.
She naturally slid into the passenger seat.

I silently followed them and dialed her number.
"Are you off work yet?" I asked, pretending to be calm.
"I'm working late, I'll be back later," she replied.
The dial tone coming from the phone sent my heart sinking into the abyss.
Half an hour later, she and that man walked side-by-side into a restaurant known for its romantic theme.
Her seat was by the window; I took a few photos and waited silently.

I had evidence. Now I wanted to hear her explanation
...
At 10 PM, she and Richard Chamberlain walked out of the restaurant and got into the same car again.
I followed behind, my heart conflicted; if she went to a hotel next, what should I do?

Catch them in the act?
I tailed them silently until the car pulled over near the apartment complex we shared.
They got out; Richard Chamberlain stepped forward and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
When he tried to go further, she took a step back.
Under the streetlight, I could see everything clearly. She didn’t look repulsed—it was more like she was playing hard to get.
She was still smiling, flirtatious and charming, just like she was when we first got together. The same look that had once captivated me now turned my stomach.
I watched Richard blow her a kiss; she smiled brightly and waved before finally walking into the complex.
I slammed on the gas, driving the car I'd planned to surprise her with straight into the complex.
The car turned heads—it was the kind of vehicle that made both men and women look twice. It caught Richard's attention, and also my girlfriend Sophia Laurent's.
I got home first and waited silently.
The door opened; I stared at Sophia as she entered. "Go take a shower, the water's ready for you."
She glanced at me. "I'm tired. I'll shower and sleep. You should get some sleep too."
None of the sweet, charming smile she'd shown Richard remained. With me, it was all irritation and indifference.
"Did you get your fill outside?"
"I grabbed a bite during overtime."
“I wasn’t talking about food.” My voice turned cold as I held her gaze.