The love, the trust, and the devil that destroyed us. I trusted her. She was my cousin and friend, and I confided in her. She stabbed me in the back. The betrayal cut deeper than any knife could have. The pain was real and hurt me to no repair. We had grown up together, sharing secrets under starlit skies, promising to always protect one another. She had been my rock through the darkest times of my life—or so I thought.
He and I still loved one another after all these years. We had plans, we were happy. We were going to be together again. The text and phone calls we exchanged over the past months had rekindled what time and distance had nearly extinguished. He and I had met in Florida many years ago our connection was undeniable. We had our ups and downs like couples do. But, life with him was never boring. We always enjoyed going out to explore new places to eat or meet up with friends. We both enjoyed cooking and being in the kitchen together was special. Always full of laughter and conversation. But, life pulled us apart—family obligations, and misunderstandings at the time.
When his phone call came one day, my heart busted with excitement. We spent hours on the phone, reminiscing about our past and dreaming about our future. The sound of his laughter made me feel twenty again. We decided it was time to stop letting life keep us apart. He called to say he had moved to a small place for the time being and for me to come on down.
I packed my car and drove 500 miles to be with him. The journey was long but filled with hope. I watched the landscape change through my windshield—from countryside to palm trees, each mile bringing me closer to him.
And then she called him, telling lies and made him think I was using him!!!! She, who had listened to me pour my heart out about this man for weeks, who had helped me pack my car. She twisted everything I had ever said, painting me as a calculating opportunist only interested in his money. When what I really wanted was real love, trust, stability and security. A partner to do things with and to grow old with.
I received a phone call that would change my destination and change my life forever. His voice was deep and full of anger. Who was this man? His voice full of suspicion and hurt. When he repeated the poisonous words She had fed him, I felt my world collapse. How could he believe her over me? But the seed of doubt She had planted was taking root, choking what we had begun to rebuild. Doubt is a powerful thing, especially when planted by someone trusted.
That night, I drove to a friends home and spent the next several weeks in disbelief as to what had happen. I cried so much my face was swollen.
I decided to drive back home. All I could think about was how betrayal can really hollow a person out. I felt empty and just floating along. I called my mother, who always said Sandy was always jealous of me, though I never believed it until now. Perhaps love isn't enough when trust has been shattered—not by the one you love, but by the one who claimed to love you.