Chapter 3

Shawn was younger than me, more energetic, and way better at making Olivia happy.

Little by little, my conversations with Olivia shifted from talking about everything under the sun to revolving entirely around the little details of her daily life with Shawn.

It wasn't like I didn't notice the change in her.

I tried countless times to save our relationship, to hold onto her.

But her heart had already left me a long time ago.

No matter what excuse I used to keep her by my side, all it took was one phone call from Shawn, and she'd rush to him without a second thought—rain or shine, hot or cold.

The care that once belonged to me, the patience she once gave me—she handed all of it over to him.

As for me, all I got were cold looks and endless complaints.

Even so, I still couldn't let go.

So I proposed again.

This time, she said yes.

But on the very day we were supposed to get married, she ditched me for Shawn once more.

And the moment I saw their marriage certificate, I knew it was finally time to wake up.

Back in the old, run-down apartment my parents had left me, I leaned against the wall beneath their photos and finally broke down crying.

After I'd cried until there was nothing left, I cleaned the place up a bit, went out to buy some daily essentials, and settled in.

Lying on the small bed from my childhood, my restless heart suddenly felt calm.

For the first time in a very long while, I slept deeply and peacefully.

I didn't have to worry about whether Olivia was in a bad mood. I didn't have to worry about whether she'd eaten right or dressed warmly enough.

In my dream, I saw my late parents again. But before I even had a chance to really talk to them, the dream turned sour.

Olivia appeared, demanding to know why I'd been so awful to Shawn. She tugged at my sleeve, insisting I apologize to him.

Rage flared up in my chest. Just as I was about to argue back, a shrill ringtone jolted me awake.

Still half asleep, I answered the call.

The next second, Olivia's furious voice blasted through the phone.

"Patrick, where the hell did you disappear to?! Did you forget today is the company's contract signing banquet? Everyone else showed up with a date, and mine is nowhere to be found. You're doing this on purpose to humiliate me, aren't you?!"

I woke up completely and pulled the phone away from my ear, annoyed.

"If that's what you want to think, then fine."

"Patrick!"

Olivia's voice shot up.

A moment later, I heard footsteps through the receiver.

She'd probably moved somewhere quieter to continue the conversation.

She let out a soft sigh, and when she spoke again, her tone had noticeably softened.

"Patrick, today is important for the company. Can you please stop causing problems? Just get over here. The signing ceremony is about to start. Once tonight's banquet is over, I'll explain everything to you properly, okay?"

Hearing her talk to me in that placating tone, I loosened my grip on the phone for a second.

Before I could answer, I heard laughter and teasing voices from her end.

"Oh wow, Shawn looks just like a groom today!"

"No kidding. Now that I look closely, Shawn's outfit matches Ms. Ranch's perfectly."

Shawn spoke up, sounding shy and embarrassed.

"Don't say things like that… I-I just dressed casually."

When I stayed quiet too long, Olivia said my name again.

I let out a cold laugh.

"Olivia, isn't your date already there? Don't call me again."

Without waiting for her reply, I hung up.

Because I knew if I didn't end the call right then, I wouldn't be able to hold my emotions together anymore.

I didn't want to dwell on the past, but the memories of those five years had already soaked into every corner of my life.

So many days and nights, I had spent loving her. I had never once imagined how I was supposed to live without her.

The Olivia from before had always put me first. She had promised me forever.

But now, she didn't need me anymore.

Tears slid from the corners of my eyes and soaked into my pillow as I jolted awake from those memories.

My heart ached unbearably.

But before I could even process what I was feeling, someone started pounding violently on the front door.

My first instinct was that she had come.

Before my mind could catch up, my body had already moved first.