Chapter 4

My hand lost its strength, gradually slipping from the hem of his shirt.

The spark of hope that had just flickered in my chest sank into total darkness.

He didn't remember our fifth anniversary at all.

My phone buzzed again with that familiar vibration. I picked it up to find another text from the unknown number.

“He was only with you to make his childhood sweetheart jealous when she went abroad. Three years later, and you’re still dancing on his string.

“It got boring, though. Now that he has laid it all out for you... you’re not still holding out hope, are you?”

I pressed my nails into my palms, my eyes burning fiercely.

“I’ll make my own decision,” I typed back.

---

I woke up early the next morning.

When I opened my eyes, James was already gone from the bed.

Diana’s high-pitched laugh echoed from the living room.

“James, this oatmeal is amazing!”

I pulled back the covers and walked out.

James was wearing an apron, standing in the kitchen making breakfast.

In five years together, he had never made breakfast for me once.

Yet here he was, cooking for Diana the second she got back.

Morning light poured over the two of them. The sight made my stomach turn.

Noticing me, James glanced over, his tone completely flat.

“There’s oatmeal in the pot. Get some yourself.”

“No, thanks. I have to step out.”

A flash of annoyance crossed James’s face.

Diana looked up at me with a bright smile.

“You’re coming to my welcome party tonight, right? You have to come!”

I stared at the sparkling ring on her finger and gave a faint nod.

“I will.”

---

I wandered the streets alone for hours.

I had nowhere to go. I just couldn't stand being in the same room with them.

When I got back home in the evening, the apartment was completely empty.

I dragged out a dusty suitcase and began packing my clothes.

It wasn't until I had cleared everything out that I realized just how deeply my life had been woven into this space.

I took the proposal ring I had bought for him and tossed it straight into the living room trash.

If he didn't want to marry me, there was no point in keeping it.

My phone buzzed again.

“Aren't you coming to the party? You might miss something you never expected.”

I stared at the screen, hesitating.

After a long silence, I touched up my makeup, grabbed my suitcase and called a cab to the venue.

---

The banquet hall was blindingly bright.

From across the room, I saw Diana clinging tightly to James’ arm, standing right at the center of the crowd.

Even over the loud music, the whispers reached my ears.

“Childhood sweethearts really belong together.”

“Watch it, James has a girlfriend.”

“What do you know? The new flame never beats the old love.”

I ignored them and slipped into a quiet corner.

After a few rounds of drinks, James was completely wasted.

He slumped back on the couch.

Diana leaned in, whispering softly as she tried to help him up, “James, let me take you home.”

Drunk as he was, James pulled his arm away from her by instinct.

“Where’s Wendy... get Wendy...”

Diana’s smile froze instantly.

She caught sight of me nearby and forced a fake grin as she walked over.

“Sorry to bother you, Wendy.”

I ignored her, stepping right past to reach James.

As I bent down to lift him, his phone slid out of his pocket and hit the floor.

A flood of notification banners popped up, catching my eye.

I tried his thumbprint, and the screen unlocked.

A new message from Diana sat at the top. I tapped into it and scrolled up through their chat history.

When I reached the texts from yesterday, my blood ran cold.

This was not “the ‘James’ from three years ago or the one that will be in my future."

It was James all along.

He was letting Diana use his phone to play a sick game and laugh at my expense.

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