Chapter 2

She claimed that she was still waiting faithfully for me.

That she was saving all those experiences for when I came home so that we could do them together.

I knew she was lying, but I didn't dare confront her. All I could do was force myself to keep going.

The program was supposed to take seven years, but I completed all the coursework in four and returned home early. I wanted to ask her one question in person.

Why had she forgotten every promise she'd ever made to me?

......

Later, when Sandra learned I was coming home, she broke up with Shawn.

Her explanation was, "I was bored without you, so I found someone to pretend to be my boyfriend and keep me company. Shawn and I were never serious. You're the only man I've ever truly loved."

I believed her, and we got married.

After our wedding, she really did cut off all contact with Shawn.

It seemed as though she'd been telling the truth after all.

The day before Sandra and I were supposed to leave for our anniversary trip, I received a call from an unknown number.

It was Shawn.

"You really think Sandra loves you? She talks to me every day," he said tauntingly.

Then he sent me screenshot after screenshot of his flirtatious conversations with Sandra.

Sandra had written, "Shawn, I miss you."

"Shawn, I want to see you."

She had also written, "Shawn, you're the only man in my heart."

I refused to believe any of it. Shawn had to be trying to drive a wedge between Sandra and me.

After all, Sandra had told me that I was the only man she truly loved.

Shawn scoffed. "Fine, if you don't believe me, let's make a bet. You two are leaving for your anniversary trip tomorrow, right? Tomorrow, I'll message Sandra and tell her I have cancer. Let's see how she reacts. If she comes to me, you step aside. If she doesn't, I will."

I hesitated, but ultimately agreed.

Before hanging up, he said, "Theo, you're not going to win. The living can never compete with the dead."

......

When I got home, I unpacked everything I had just finished packing.

I already knew Sandra wouldn't be going on the trip with me.

When I got to the jewelry box, I stopped.

I had given Sandra all her jewelry, so I knew every piece she owned.

So when I saw a handmade friendship bracelet with a small gold charm set with her birthstone nestled among the expensive jewelry I'd given her, I didn't even need to guess who had given it to her.

It had to be Shawn, and she must have worn it for years because the cord was already frayed.

I stared at it for a long time, and I found myself imagining the touching love story behind it.

The thought made my own place in her life feel like a cruel joke.

In the end, I calmly put it away in the drawer.

Sandra didn't return until after midnight, exhaustion written all over her face.

She casually tossed her bag onto a chair, the scent of a man's pine cologne still clung to her.

She had been so intimate with Shawn earlier that day. It was only natural that his scent had rubbed off on her.

"We should cancel the anniversary trip. I've already told our parents we're too busy with work. We can go another time.

"For now, get some rest. I'll take care of everything at the company," I said, explaining the arrangements I'd made.

Hearing that, she seemed irritated. She sneered, "You seem awfully cheerful."

I froze, unable to understand what she meant.

Then she said, "Shawn has cancer. You must be thrilled that your only competition is about to disappear!

"I honestly don't understand you, Theo. How can you be so vicious?"

"That has never crossed my mind." I defended myself.

Every word she said cut straight through me.

I never imagined she would think so little of me.

I suddenly remembered something that had happened in high school.

I came down with a fever that one time and stayed home from school. I didn't tell Sandra because I didn't want her to worry.

But as soon as classes ended that day, she rushed straight to my house.

"Theo, why didn't you tell me you were sick?"

"I didn't want you to worry."

"But I'm your girlfriend. You're supposed to tell me everything. When two people are together, they shouldn't keep anything from each other!"

She sounded genuinely upset, and from that day forward, I worked to break that habit and began telling her everything.