The Other Woman in His Phone

It was our fifth Christmas Eve together.

I was rummaging through the house, searching for the missing Christmas stocking.

Hidden inside was the custom engagement ring I'd bought.

Then the phone rang.

It was the police.

They said my boyfriend had gotten into a violent fight and I needed to pick him up from the station.

I rushed through the snow to the police station.

After multiple apologies and bows, I finally signed the paperwork to release Ethan Roscente.

He reeked of alcohol, his face bruised and swollen.

When I asked what happened, he stayed silent, his expression dark.

While Ethan showered, his phone lit up.

Several messages popped up.

From his female coworker, Ava Lowell.

"Ethan, thank you for standing up for me. My ex-husband would've kept harassing me otherwise."

"I've been so lost. Without your support these past few months, Liam and I wouldn't have made it."

"Liam adores the Christmas stocking you gave him. He keeps asking when 'Uncle Ethan' will visit. Ethan... give us a family."

My hands shook with rage.

The phone clattered to the floor.

What followed was the worst fight we'd ever had.

I screamed accusations.

He called me heartless.

Amid the wreckage, he finally relented.

Promised to transfer Ava to another team. Swore he'd cut contact.

After that, Ethan never mentioned Ava again.

Their chats showed only work-related exchanges.

Until I discovered his phone's dual operating system.

They never stopped talking.

They just went underground—where I couldn't see.

Switched from his main account to a secondary one filled with "family and friends."

Every photo he posted with Ava and Liam received warm blessings.

I scrolled to their Christmas Eve messages.

Ava: "I found a ring in the stocking. Is your girlfriend proposing? Should I return it?"

Ethan: "Don't. Pretend you never saw it. I'm not ready for marriage."

Fine. He'd get his wish.

After five years away, it was time to go home.

Ethan bustled in the kitchen.

"Olivia, I reheated dinner a few times. It might not taste great now."

"Tell me what you want—takeout? Or that Japanese place down the street?"

He turned and saw my red-rimmed eyes.

His expression softened instantly.

"Come on, don't be like this."

"You're always so understanding, aren't you?"

I dodged his touch.

"Get the stocking back."

His smile froze.

He ripped off his apron and hurled it at my feet.

His finger jabbed the air near my face before he spat out, "Fine."

The call connected.

Ava said her son had accidentally torn the stocking.

"So sorry. I'll pay for a new one."

Ethan's composure cracked.

A stocking. A farce that wouldn't end.

"Don't worry. Olivia's just being childish. I'll buy her another—"

"Ethan," I cut in, "this isn't about the stocking."

He smashed his phone against the wall.

Shards sliced my arm, drawing blood.

"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT FROM ME TODAY?"

"IT'S A GODDAMN STOCKING. STOP TARGETING AVA, OLIVIA."

I stood stunned.

He yanked out a wad of cash and threw it in my face.

Bills fluttered down, revealing three amusement park tickets.

"Happy now?"

He flung a credit card next.

"HAPPY NOW?"

"I'LL PAY FOR IT!"

My ears rang.

Six years together, and this was his first outburst. Savage, like he wanted to devour me.

My chest ached too much to speak.

Frantically, I scrolled through old photos, searching for proof—his promise to marry me tonight.