Chapter 2

I was a few drinks in when my friends began complaining to me. "You know, I thought you'd forgotten all about us once you got a girlfriend. You'd better not pull that move on us again, Ethan."

I assured them. "You guys can just give me a call whenever there's a drinking session. I'll definitely be there."

I made Lily the center of my universe after we got together. I let every part of my life and work revolve completely around her, losing my friends and social life in the process. In retrospect, I realized how foolish I had been.

I checked my phone and saw that Lily had refunded the money I transferred to her earlier. I finally returned home at 1:00 am, and when I switched on the light, I spotted Lily sitting on the couch. I stood there bewildered for a second, almost doubting what I was seeing.

Lily, seeing how drunk I was, made no move to come over to support me. She just looked at me with a disappointed expression instead. "Why can't you act like a man for once, Ethan? You should just say it outright if you're jealous. You'll just make me look down on you even more by getting wasted like this."

I was feeling lightheaded, so I reached out to steady myself on a dining chair and slid into the seat.

Lily caught the smell of alcohol on me and frowned slightly. "I thought I made it clear that I don't like you drinking, Ethan. Forrest and I aren't involved like that—we're just friends. There's no reason to get drunk like this because of him."

I supported my head with my hand and mumbled blearily, "Y-You're overthinking it... I only drank this much because I was actually having a good time…"

Lily's voice grew shrill after seeing me in that state. "That's enough, Ethan! I've already tried to meet you halfway! What more do you want from me? You'd better not push me too far; I have my limits too. I can't keep putting up with you forever, Ethan!"

I was already having a headache, and listening to her shrill voice only made it worse. I rubbed my temples and said, "You don't have to get so worked up, Lily. I'm heading to bed now."

Lily let out a sigh, put her anger aside, and got up to support me.

I still had just enough sense left to dodge her hand. I stumbled straight into the guest room and locked the door behind me, paying no mind to Lily's knocking outside. I drifted off into a heavy, remarkably restful sleep.

I woke up the following morning, only to find Lily watching TV in complete silence. She looked utterly grim, leaving no doubt that she was mad at me.

I didn't bother trying to smooth things over with her. I just washed up and left home. I went straight to work and turned in my resignation letter. I had only taken this job to be closer to Lily, and now I no longer had a reason to keep it.

When my boss kept trying to talk me into staying, I stood my ground and declined.

Just a few days earlier, I heard back about a job application I sent abroad—I got hired. I had wanted to work at that company since I was young, but I had passed on it back then because of Lily.

It was fortunate for me that it wasn't too late to pursue that dream.

I wrapped up my remaining duties once I resigned and called my friend to share the great news.

He was thrilled for me when he heard the news. He fell silent for a moment before asking, "What about Lily, then? Is she moving abroad with you, Ethan?"

I smiled wryly and replied, "I'll be going alone since things between us are pretty much over."

I began preparing the documents for my move abroad once I wrapped up my remaining work tasks. I had already lost both of my parents, so aside from a few close friends, Lily was the only one I had left back home.

I used to feel like home was wherever Lily was. Now, I had nowhere left to call home. I was just a wanderer, drifting from place to place and making a home wherever I ended up.

Lily was just about to head out when I returned home. She was wearing full makeup and a pair of short shorts that highlighted her slim legs.

I instantly understood what was going on when I noticed her holding the birthday cake. It was Forrest's birthday, and she was heading out to celebrate with him.

Lily was chatting on the phone right then, sounding thrilled. "You don't have to guess anymore! If I told you what I got you, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. You should just wait until I get there."

I couldn't hear what the person on the other end of the line said, but it made Lily burst out laughing, flashing her teeth. That kind of smile was something I rarely got to see anymore.

She had been laughing the entire time, but the moment she saw me, she stopped. She never seemed to refuse Forrest anything, yet she was reluctant to even smile at me.

She instantly grew grim and, without saying anything further, turned away from me in distaste. She quickly changed her shoes and left, closing the door behind her.

I knew Lily was going to give me the cold shoulder; after all, we had been through this before, and every single time, it had been because of Forrest.

In the past, I would go into panic mode whenever this happened and bend over backward just to make it up to her. I would keep pushing through the cold shoulder, even if she ignored all my messages.

I couldn't care less about it now, though. I just searched for some foreign recipes online and practiced cooking them at home. I needed to get used to them ahead of time, after all.