One week before the third anniversary of my brother's death, my boyfriend, Caleb, promised he’d go with me to visit the grave. But on the day of, he ghosted me. That night, I finally got a text: "I had to go out of town for business." I didn't reply. I just silently folded my clothes and packed my bags. At midnight, Caleb's ex-girlfriend, Sarah, posted an update on Instagram. The photo showed Caleb holding a birthday cake, looking at Sarah with a tenderness I hadn't seen in years. The caption read: "Twenty-eighth birthday. It’s so good to be remembered by the one who loves you." I didn't call him in a rage like I used to. I just screenshotted Sarah's post and saved it. Then I posted my own update: just three candle emojis. Caleb called me immediately, his voice tinged with guilt. "Don't be mad, Chloe. I didn't mean to forget your brother's anniversary. I promise I'll remember next time..." Three years ago, my brother took a knife for Caleb, saving his life. Now, Caleb had completely forgotten him, too busy drowning in his ex's affection. Thinking of this, I spoke slowly, my eyes cold and desolate. "No need. There won't be a next time." 1 Caleb didn't come home until a week later. Before he arrived, he texted me saying he was carsick and wanted my homemade meatballs. Usually, whenever he went on a business trip, I’d have everything ready before he even asked. But this time, I did nothing. When I didn't reply or call, Caleb called me. "Chloe, where are you? Why aren't you here?" I was cleaning out the study, tossing things into a box. "I'm busy. Take an Uber." "Chloe, you always pick me up when I get back from a trip." His voice was laced with annoyance. I gave a perfunctory reply. "I told you, I'm busy. Are you broke? I'll Venmo you the fare." He hung up on me. I walked to the kitchen, pushed down the rising tide of emotions, and started making lunch—for myself. I was mid-meal when Caleb dragged his massive suitcase through the door. He was sweating profusely, the calm, collected facade he usually wore completely gone. He dropped his luggage and went straight to the kitchen. "Are the meatballs ready?" Usually, knowing his stomach issues, I’d keep his food warm on the stove. He opened every pot. Empty. "Chloe, what is this? I told you I wanted meatballs." "Are you that lazy now? Or do you just not care about me anymore?" In the past, I would have rushed to the kitchen to cook for him. Now, I just took a sip of my hot tea and said indifferently, "I'm tired. Order DoorDash." Caleb walked over, pulled out the chair next to me, and sat down with a huff. "I know you're mad because I missed your brother's anniversary due to the business trip. But I really was busy and forgot. Can you just let me eat first? I'm exhausted." He looked at me with weary, pleading eyes, as if I were a child throwing a tantrum. I finished my tea, stood up, and cleared my dishes. "I'm really not mad." Caleb wouldn't let it go. "Police work involves travel. It's standard. I didn't want to miss the anniversary, but work is work. I had no choice." My tone remained flat. "Yeah, I understand." Seeing my lack of reaction, Caleb deflated, slumping in his chair. "I'm already so tired. Why can't you just be understanding for once?" "Okay. Go get some rest." I replied in a lukewarm tone, looking at him like he was a stranger. Honestly, it was boring. It wasn't a business trip. He went to celebrate his ex's birthday. And here he was, lying to my face. If he had the guts to do it, why didn't he have the guts to admit it? But I didn't have the energy to puncture his pathetic lies. Caleb stared at me, a hint of impatience creeping into his eyes. "You've been wanting to see Hamilton for ages, right? I'll take you tomorrow." He crossed his arms, looking like he was bestowing a great favor upon me. I didn't show the joy he expected. I just calmly declined. "No need." If I hadn't seen Sarah's Instagram post this morning, maybe hearing him say this would have moved me to tears. Maybe I would have thrown myself into his arms. 2 Sarah's post this morning was just a goofy photo of Caleb. The caption: "I mentioned wanting to see a musical forever ago. He said he'd check it out for me this time to see if it's worth the hype. This man, always so thoughtful!" Caleb looked at me in shock, clearly not expecting my refusal. "No need?" "Why? Did you forget tomorrow is our six-year anniversary?" I acted like I just realized. "Oh, right. I totally forgot." Caleb's face darkened. He stood up and walked right up to me. "How could you forget our anniversary? Okay, stop with the attitude. Did you prepare a surprise for me?" I pretended to think. "I've been too busy lately, I really forgot. How about this—is there anything you want? I'll buy it for you." "Or I can just Zelle you the money. Buy whatever you like." Caleb looked incredulous. "You're asking me to buy my own anniversary gift?" He stared at me, a flash of astonishment in his eyes. For years, I had handmade every anniversary gift. Last year, he mentioned wanting a suit made by his girlfriend. I spent six months taking tailoring classes to design and sew a suit for him. The year before, he said he wanted to design our new house himself. I taught myself interior design and decorated the entire place according to his vision. Caleb stood there, looking dissatisfied. I didn't know how to handle the awkwardness, so I grabbed my coat from the sofa and turned to leave. Caleb grabbed my arm. "Where are you going?" "I have a portrait session booked." I shook off his hand and walked out the door, ignoring his angry shout behind me. I majored in Fine Arts. After graduation, I worked as a portrait artist. But after getting together with Caleb, he said he didn't like me painting other people—it made him insecure. So I gave up the career I loved and switched to drawing webcomics. Now, I was finally going back to what I loved. After the session, the client looked at the portrait with satisfaction. "I'm so glad you're back. We've been waiting for you." "I'll refer some friends to you. Talent like yours shouldn't be wasted." I smiled lightly. "Thanks, I appreciate it." I picked up my phone and saw several missed calls. Some from Caleb, and some from my best friend, Quinn. I ignored Caleb and called Quinn back. "What's up?" "Megan is back in town. We figured since the girls haven't been together in ages, we should grab drinks tonight. Can you come? Will your guy let you?" "Sure. Send me the address." After I started dating Caleb, he first cut off my male friends citing "family values," then slowly isolated me from my girlfriends, saying he wanted all my time. Considering his busy schedule, I thought he had a point, so I drifted away from my friends. When I arrived, Quinn feigned shock. "Wow, a rare sighting! We actually got the great Chloe to grace us with her presence. Is your hubby gonna be mad?" I smiled and shook my head. "From now on, don't worry about that. Call me anytime. I'll be there." 3 Drinking with my girls, I felt a buzz, my head spinning but my heart lighter than it had been in years. It was the first time I felt this relaxed since being with Caleb. I had devoted my entire being to taking care of him. I gave up my career, my friends, my self. I thought loving someone meant unconditional devotion. Now I realized I was just stupid. I checked my phone for the time and saw Caleb was still calling. I answered. A barrage of complaints poured out. "Where the hell are you in the middle of the night? Don't you know I worry?" "I've been traveling for a week, I'm exhausted. Can you stop causing trouble? Can you stop making me worry?" "You... don't have to worry." My speech was slurred. The line went silent for a moment before Caleb’s angry voice cut through. "Have you been drinking?" "Send me the address. I'm coming to get you." For a second, I felt a flicker of the old hope. Caleb coming to pick me up? But subconsciously, I didn't want him there. I stayed silent. Quinn leaned into the phone. "Caleb! We're at The Northern Light Bar." I glared at her, but Caleb had already hung up. When he arrived, the girls were gone. They left thinking I was in good hands with my boyfriend. They looked at me with envy. But inside, I felt nothing but irritation. Caleb got out of the car, walked up to me, and looked at my drunken state with disdain. "Chloe, what are you doing? I explained I didn't miss your brother's anniversary on purpose. Are you done yet? Drinking yourself stupid just to get my attention?" "We're adults. Playing games like this? Really?" Maybe it was the alcohol, but my mouth moved faster than my brain. "What business trip? I saw it. I saw everything." "Caleb, am I easy to fool? Is this fun for you?" My head was spinning, my eyes full of pain as I looked at him. Panic flashed in Caleb's eyes. He looked away unnaturally. "Sarah and I broke up years ago. We're just friends now. Friends meet up. What's the big deal?" "Besides, I'm your boyfriend now. You have no reason to be jealous of Sarah!" "You're overthinking it. I... I'm not jealous." Caleb turned back to me, anger rising in his voice. "Enough! Sarah and I are just friends. I just happened to celebrate her birthday! Stop being unreasonable! Since I got back, you haven't asked if I'm tired once. You just throw tantrums!" "I have a temper too, Chloe! Don't push it!" "Fine. Get in the car. Let's go home!" I stumbled after him, staring at his back with sorrow. See? That was Caleb. Always twisting the truth, making everything my fault. We drove in silence. Caleb glanced at me several times, but said nothing, his face grim. 4 In the past, whenever we were alone, I would chatter endlessly, sharing every detail of my life. Now, I just wanted out of the car. When we arrived, Caleb followed me. Seeing me stumble, he sighed and reached out to hold me. I sidestepped him smoothly. Using the last of my sobriety, I walked into the house and went straight to the guest bedroom. I lay down before Caleb could react. He followed me in, annoyed. "Why are you sleeping in the guest room? Go back to the master." I ignored him, turned over, and closed my eyes. Caleb stood by the bed for a long time, but eventually left without a word. My consciousness faded, and I fell into a heavy sleep. The next morning, I was surprised to see Caleb sitting at the dining table. "Up?" "Come eat breakfast!" His tone still carried a hint of anger, clearly still dissatisfied with me. This was the first time in six years he had made breakfast. Before, I would have been moved to tears and eaten every bite. Now, I glanced at the food and felt nauseous. I washed up, went to the fridge, grabbed a slice of toast, and ate it dry. Caleb’s face turned stormy. "Chloe, don't cross the line!" "What did I do?" I looked at him innocently. When he didn't speak, I didn't try to soothe him. I changed my clothes and walked out. I went back to my alma mater. My old professor had contacted me recently about a teaching position at a university in Beijing. I had hesitated, dragging my feet on giving an answer. I thought Caleb and I were finally settling down after all these years. If I moved to Beijing, our relationship would suffer. But now, Caleb wasn't part of my future. Painting and teaching were my passions. My brother once said I had a natural teacher's aura. Now, I could pursue what I loved without guilt. My professor was thrilled. He patted my shoulder beaming. "Good! Finally! You agreed!" "But I heard you have a boyfriend of seven years. Is he okay with you moving to Beijing?" I smiled bitterly. "No. We broke up." After leaving the campus, I went home to pack. As I opened the front door, I heard laughter. I walked in and saw Caleb hugging a woman, smiling brightly. It was Sarah. Clearly not expecting me home so early, Caleb pushed Sarah away, looking flustered. "Uh, Sarah just got into town for business." "She doesn't know anyone here, so I invited her over for lunch." "We were just... hugging. Old friends reuniting." "It's fine. You don't need to explain." I acted understanding, my tone flat. Sarah greeted me with a smile, a glint of smugness in her eyes. "Chloe, nice to meet you. Caleb always says you have a great temper. I see it now." I caught the double meaning but was too tired to engage. I smiled and walked toward the kitchen. "Sarah is here. Cook a few extra dishes. Show her your skills." 5 Caleb stepped forward, acting casual. I poured myself a glass of water and drank it in one gulp. "Can't today. I'm tired." "I'll order takeout for you guys." Caleb's face dropped. He glared at me silently. I knew this look. He was telling me he was angry, and if I didn't obey, he would give me the silent treatment. Caleb was an expert at manipulating me. Before, at the slightest sign of his displeasure, I would fawn over him. But today, I just walked out of the kitchen. Passing Sarah, I smiled and said, "Make yourself at home." "Caleb, is Chloe unhappy I'm here? Should I leave?" "Ignore her. It's early menopause or something. She's crazy. I'll cook. You need to taste my cooking." "Lucky me!" I went into the bedroom and started packing. I realized there wasn't much to take. The closet was stuffed with Caleb's clothes. Mine were squeezed into a tiny corner. The whole house was full of his things. I gave up on the suitcase. Caleb walked in, looking at the mess with disgust. "What drama are you staging now?" "Where's the salt?" "Oh. We're out." "If we're out, go buy some. Now." I looked at him, confused. "Why me? I'm not eating." For years, I managed everything in the house. He was used to ordering me around like a servant. Caleb looked ready to explode. He yelled, "Fine! Great job, Chloe! I give you an olive branch and you snap it! Let's see who breaks first!" He stormed out before I could reply. I watched his back, helpless. Why was he always angry? Like I was the one who sinned. "Let's go, Sarah! We're eating out. I'm taking you to a bar!" Caleb grabbed Sarah and left, slamming the front door so hard the walls shook. I sat on the bed, perplexed. What was his game? I lay down and scrolled through my phone. A minute ago, Sarah had posted: "I think I'm the luckiest girl in the world. No matter when or where, he's always there for me." The comments were full of Caleb's bros: "That's real love!" "So jealous. It's always been him. When do I get a love like this?" One of his friends tagged Caleb: "Did you dump Chloe? The ex is always better, right?" Caleb replied: "Life is good with you here." To the tag, he just replied with a smirk emoji. His friends never liked me. I knew that. They always made snide comments about how great Sarah was, how perfect they were together. 6 Eventually, I asked Caleb why his friends kept bringing up another woman in front of me. He scolded me, saying they were just joking. Reading the comments, I did nothing. I turned off my phone and went to sleep. Caleb came back with Sarah. She told me, "Caleb drank too much. His stomach hurts. Make him some honey water." As she turned to leave, she added, "Make sure it's not too sweet. Caleb hates sweet things." Caleb woke up, looking at Sarah with pure affection. "Sarah, you remembered." I watched them, their eyes locked. "So, should I give you guys the room? I can sleep in the guest room?" They both froze. Sarah looked at Caleb, then turned and left. After she was gone, Caleb sat up, glaring at me. "Chloe, what is your problem? Your boyfriend is out drinking with another woman and you don't even call?" "My friends' girlfriends pick them up. You? You don't even check on me?" "Chloe, is this how you love me?" He was tearing up. "Your friends don't like me. Why would I go there to be humiliated?" "Besides, you had your good friend Sarah. She brought you back. What was there to worry about?" I leaned against the doorframe, genuinely confused about what he was mad about now. He used to stay out late all the time. I used to worry, calling him incessantly. He would hang up or block me. When I tried to pick him up, he humiliated me in front of his friends, saying I was suffocating him. Now that I let go, he accused me of not caring. I really didn't understand what he wanted. Caleb looked at me in disbelief. "You're okay with Sarah bringing me home?" I chuckled. "Why not? You're best friends." Caleb froze. He stared at me, then suddenly laughed. "Did you see Sarah's post? You're jealous, aren't you?" "Come on, the post was just a Truth or Dare penalty. Don't overthink it." He smiled, looking relieved. "Sarah hasn't been back in years. It's natural I treat her. I planned to cook at home, but you didn't buy salt, so we went out." "Right. My fault." "My fault for not breaking up with you sooner." "Caleb, let's break up."
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