The Birthday Party Bought With My Daughter's Life

"Amy, careful—it's hot."

A gentle male voice drifted from inside the apartment.

My hand froze midair, keys dangling.

It was my boyfriend, Harvey Schur.

I pushed the door open. His junior, Amy Linetti, was lounging on the couch in my bathrobe, cradling a steaming cup of milk. And Harvey—the same man who wouldn't bother to pick up a fallen soy sauce bottle—was now kneeling on one knee beside her, carefully peeling an apple.

It was a kind of tenderness and patience I had never once received.

The moment Amy saw me, a flicker of triumph flashed in her eyes before she quickly replaced it with a timid, fragile look.

"Melanie, you're back. Harvey was worried you've been working too hard, so he asked me to come keep him company—and help tidy up the place."

As she spoke, she stretched deliberately, making sure I got a clear look at the robe she was wearing.

"Your clothes are so comfortable… though they're a little big on me."

Only then did Harvey's gaze shift from her to me—landing squarely on my grease-stained work uniform.

His brow tightened instantly into a deep frown.

"Go change out of that outfit right now! It's filthy. Don't walk around in front of Amy dressed like that—you're embarrassing me!"

I said nothing. I simply looked at them.

One was the man I had supported with my youth, my sweat, my everything. The other was the "understanding" junior he always praised.

One wore my bathrobe. The other stood in the apartment I paid for, looking down on me—the rightful owner.

What a joke.

Without a word, I walked into the bedroom.

The desk was piled high with Harvey's books, while all my belongings had been shoved under the bed.

When I came back out after changing, the breakfast I'd prepared for myself was gone—devoured completely, leaving only a mess behind.

But what truly shattered me was the watch on Amy's wrist.

I had traveled across three countries, pulled countless strings, just to win it at an auction. It was meant to be Harvey's doctoral graduation gift.

And now, the gift I had poured my heart into was sitting on another woman's wrist.

Harvey offered no explanation. Not even a word.

Scenes from the past three years flashed through my mind.

To spare his pride, I'd lived with him in a cramped rental, surviving on instant noodles. I had poured all my savings into him.

And now, in this moment, I felt like a fool—someone who had given up a comfortable life for a man's empty promises of "the future."

I couldn't hold back anymore. Pointing at the watch, I demanded, my voice shaking with anger, "Amy, where did you get that watch?"

She froze for a split second, then her eyes immediately reddened as she shrank behind Harvey.

"I'm sorry, Melanie… I didn't mean to…

"Harvey insisted on giving it to me. He said… he said it was just something he picked up, and that you wouldn't mind…

"I didn't know it meant so much to you. I'm sorry—I'll give it back right now!"

She made a show of reaching for the clasp.

Harvey immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her as he glared at me.

"Melanie! Have you had enough? It's just a stupid watch. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?

"I know I'm leaving the country tomorrow, and you're upset, looking for an excuse to lash out—but don't take it out on Amy! We're just working in the same field. Stop assuming I'm involved with every woman you see!"

Listening to his righteous defense, I could only sneer inwardly. Because not long ago, I had heard him myself—on the balcony in the hallway, speaking into his phone.

On the other end of that call was none other than this very "junior" of his.

"Don't worry, Amy. I've already bought your ticket. We'll go together.

"How could I ever leave you behind here? No matter what, I won't abandon you.

"As for Melanie—she's uneducated and narrow-minded. I can make up any excuse, and she'll believe it."

So now, looking at this farce unfolding before me, all I felt was bitter irony.

This tragic little play—me working to support his education—had long since lost its appeal.

It was time for the curtain to fall.