Chapter 2

But why couldn’t he have told me?

In his eyes, was I really that unimportant?

If I was such a burden to him, then what was the promise he had made when he proposed to me so carefully that night?

Had the hour been too late, the lights too dim, for him to know who was standing in front of him?

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, hid in the dark, and sobbed without holding back.

The truth was, I could live without him.

I did not have separation anxiety at all.

Ever since we were children, whenever he and I chose different schools or different classes, he would become moody for no clear reason. He only calmed down after seeing me.

So I had kept walking steadily along my own path while bringing him with me.

Ryan was right about one thing.

I had always included him in the future I imagined for myself.

When it did not harm my own prospects, I was willing to pay the price for loving him.

But that did not mean I would keep compromising for him without limits.

I closed the application form I had accidentally opened, wiped away my tears, and never opened the portal again.

He had made his choice.

I had made mine.

From now on, we could go our separate ways and leave each other in peace.

I had just finished washing my face when Ryan sent me a video call.

[Emma, pick up. I want to see you.]

When I did not answer, he sent several more video call requests in a row before finally texting me.

[We’re at the usual place. Everyone’s waiting for you. Hurry up and come over. Take a cab.]

But I did not want to go.

[I’m tired. I don’t feel like going out.]

His reply came almost instantly.

[Are you sick? I’ll come over.]

[No. Don’t come.]

I had just sent the reply with a frown when Sophie messaged me.

[I’m sorry. I was the one who kept clinging to Ryan and insisted on coming. I didn’t know you’d be upset. I’ll leave right now.]

[As long as you’re willing to come, I don’t care what happens to me.]

For a second, the message seemed to drip with fake innocence.

Before I could reply, people in the private group chat started tagging me like crazy.

[Emma, what the hell is your problem? You can’t stand Ryan having anyone else around him? There’s a limit to being petty.]

[Throwing a tantrum just because you’re jealous Sophie is prettier than you? Get help.]

I froze for a moment. I instinctively wanted to explain, but then I saw Ryan’s message.

[Emma, I was the one who invited Sophie. If you’re angry, take it out on me. What’s the point of making things hard for her?]

[Forget it. Come or don’t. We’ll have more fun without you anyway.]

Then they sent me several photos of the food.

Someone added, dripping with sarcasm.

[Dinner tastes better without all that jealousy at the table.]

What a bunch of lunatics.

I left the group chat immediately.

Then I deleted Ryan, blocked him, and cut him off in one clean sweep.

No matter how badly we had fought in the past, he had always been pinned at the top of my messages.

But now, he only deserved to stay in the dark little corner where blocked contacts belonged.

The truth was, when Sophie first transferred to our school, she had been my friend.

Back then, Ryan had even warned me that Sophie did not seem like a good person and told me not to get too close to her.

I had put in a lot of effort to smooth things over between them.

Then came the welcome party.

Sophie took off her ugly black framed glasses and appeared in a red dress, stunning everyone.

After that, Ryan never once told me to stay away from her again.

He and Sophie became closer and closer.

He even introduced Sophie to his childhood friends and the rest of his circle.

By the time I realized what was happening, my friends had already become Sophie’s friends.

And the way Ryan treated Sophie was unmistakably special.