All Chapters of Three Was a Crowd, So I Chose Myself: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Julian had been in photography for eight years, working his way up from an assistant to a renowned photojournalist. From his days of obscurity to landing jobs all over the country, I'd been there the whole time, quietly supporting him every step of the way.During his busiest year, I had no choice but to quit my job to take care of everything for him, from his meals to his daily needs.My friends used to tease me. "Your boyfriend's a photographer! Doesn't that mean you get gorgeous photos whenever you want?"I could only laugh and shake my head. "He thinks taking photos of people is beneath him. Only landscapes are real art, apparently."The truth was, I had asked him to take my photo more than once over those eight years, and every single time, he'd turned me down.I told myself he probably just had his principles.The moment I saw those photos, it all suddenly felt so absurd.When I went back to the bedroom, I heard Julian murmur my name in his sleep.But a chill ran down my spine.I

The once-quiet comment section exploded in an instant."I see her relationship posts all the time. Turns out she's the other woman?""Girls these days have zero shame. Absolutely disgusting.""If she's really not the other woman, then show us his face. Otherwise, we'll drag you until you delete your account!"The comments kept piling up, one after another.I logged out and was about to turn off my phone when Julian's call came through.My fingers trembled, but I answered."Nora, do you have any idea what you've done?"Julian's voice was so loud it made me wince."Mia grew up without parents. In her mind, you're the person she trusts most, her closest friend. How could you stab her in the back like that?"I bit down hard on my lip and slowly closed my eyes.Back in middle school, during a school event, all the other kids had their little cliques. Only Mia sat alone in the corner.Seeing how lonely she looked, I walked over and sat down beside her.From that day on, we were inseparable.

Two hours later, the plane touched down smoothly at Portland International Airport.Years ago, I'd left this place with nothing but a small suitcase, following Julian into what would become my eight-year dream.Now, after all that wandering, I was right back where I started.It was a little deflating.For the next several days, I stayed in my room and did all the things I'd never had time for.Binge-watching shows, reading, painting.It suddenly hit me that for the past eight years, aside from Julian, my entire life had been blank.I'd given Julian everything, but somewhere along the way, I'd lost myself.A week later, I decided to start job hunting.My resume wasn't exactly impressive, but my college degree helped, and I quickly landed a position at a consulting firm.That night, I opened a bottle of champagne on my own, sat on the balcony, and toasted the moon to celebrate my fresh start.At that very moment, Julian and Mia were standing on the deck of a cruise ship, looking out at t

Mia stumbled back several steps, stunned by his outburst.She had never seen Julian like this.She'd first met him through Nora.Back then, he was refined, polished, with a warm smile that made him seem like the boy next door.Mia was drawn to him instantly.After that, she fell for him completely.She started clinging to Nora all the time, but it was never really about Nora. It was about getting more time around Julian.Mia lowered her head, her voice hoarse."Julian, why are you yelling at me? What did I do wrong?"You're the one who said you liked me. You said Nora was stubborn and boring, and that I was the one who truly understood you."I never planned to ruin your engagement. I never wanted to hurt Nora. You're the one who made her upset. So why are you blaming me now?"Mia's voice was barely a whisper, threaded with hurt.Tears glistened in her eyes, her expression perfectly fragile and sympathetic."What are you saying?"Julian's heart lurched."If you hadn't gotten me drunk at

After Julian left, my world became so much lighter.I stopped dwelling on the past and threw myself into my work.That was when I realized just how many possibilities life had to offer.I realized that losing love still left room for all kinds of people to enter my life.I could live a life that was truly, brilliantly my own.Three months later, I earned an overseas assignment with the company and was about to leave for Singapore for two years.Before I left, I unexpectedly heard news about Julian.Apparently, after he returned from trying to see me, he came down with a high fever that lasted several days.Even after recovering, he never quite seemed like himself again.His studio, battered by the online backlash, became the target of relentless attacks. Work dried up completely.A month later, Julian shut down his studio and went back to that empty apartment alone.Mia tried to see him a few times after that, but he turned her away every single time.Mia refused to give up and caused