Chapter 3

My phone chimed. When I checked it, it was a series of texts from Aaron.

"I'm sorry, Jason. I didn't mean to post that. You know my situation is complicated right now. Carly just took pity on me and kept me company last night.

"I heard you guys broke up. Please don't tell me it was because of me. I'd feel awful."

I didn't respond to him. Such pedestrian tactics were beneath me.

He posted that picture on his socials only to text me this.

What was he expecting me to do? That I got down on my knees and begged Carly not to leave me? Or that I'd storm over to his place and beat the crap out of him?

Aaron, who should've known better, was just as disgusting as an ingrate like Carly.

I once saw Carly and Aaron's chat log by accident. Aaron constantly sent her text messages that made my toes curl.

"You're so nice, Carly. I envy Jason for having a girlfriend like you."

"Jason is so lucky. He has a happy family and an adorable girlfriend. If only I could be so fortunate in life."

Carly, innocent as she was, fell for it.

She insisted on treating him as a sibling, going as far as to bring him food and drinks when he needed it.

…

My childhood friend, Robert Camden, heard I'd broken up with Carly and insisted on dragging me out to celebrate. I found myself in an unusually good mood when I saw his lively smile.

"Dude, you have no idea how much I hated Carly. Ever since you started dating her, you haven't eaten with me in ages.

"A love-addled brain is the source of every misfortune. It really does describe people like you, who'd forget about their friends as soon as you see a pretty face," he said.

While listening to his tirade, I put my arm around his shoulder and nodded in agreement.

"I messed up. I was blind and failed to recognize your true worth. Happy now?"

Robert then nodded, tugging me in and out of various luxury boutiques.

I couldn't help but feel a tad melancholic. Since I'd been with Carly, I seemed to have lost sight of who I was. I somehow became a man whose whole world revolved around her.

With her career just taking off and money being tight, I cut back on quite a bit of my spending to support her, never setting foot in those luxury stores I used to love.

"Hang on. Isn't that Carly?" Robert exclaimed.

I followed his gaze, finding her and Aaron dragging a suitcase behind them.

They snuck around inconspicuously—like they were up to no good.

I had no intention of meddling in their lives anymore, but Robert was incredibly curious, insisting on dragging me along for a closer look.

When I saw them enter a designer resale store, I began to suspect something.

"Isn't that the watch I gave you for your birthday two years ago?" asked Robert, pointing at the limited-edition designer watch inside.

I frowned. When I packed up and left two days ago, I had left behind some things I hadn't had the time to bring with me.

I'd planned on hiring movers to relocate them over the next few days.

I never imagined that Carly would secretly sell my watch for Aaron's sake.

When I walked in, Carly's gaze immediately shifted from guilt to surprise. "Jason, what brings you here? Why haven't you been answering my calls? I-I was planning on explaining after I finished here, but—"

I slapped her hard across the face without warning, and Carly looked at me in disbelief.

Aaron rushed over to examine the mark on her face. "Jason, how could you just hit her? You—"

The second slap landed squarely on his face.

"Hitting you is a matter of convenience," I said icily.

Robert cheered wildly from the sidelines, and people in the store gathered around to see what was happening.

"Jason Reeds, you piece of shit! Why did you hit him? What did he do to deserve you picking on him like this?"

Carly tugged Aaron behind her, shielding him like a mother hen would.

I pointed to the pile of luxury watches, necklaces, and rings on the table and asked, "Did you get my permission to sell my stuff?"