My girlfriend and my best buddy loved to play "The Wager." But the subject of their bets was always me. They'd bet on how long I’d wait for them at a designated spot. They'd bet on which puddle I’d step in and slip during a rainy day. They'd bet on whether my nose would run when I ate the extra-spicy jalapeños my buddy sneakily put in my food. Later, my buddy moved abroad, and Olivia and I got married. The three-person game finally stopped. Until late one night, while working at the club, I ran into a group playing "Time Bomb." I walked in carrying drinks, only to hear Olivia's voice. "I lost. I stepped on the bomb." Her friends cheered, "A bet's a bet! Your penalty is to pick one of the guys here and do a couple's dance!" The next second, Olivia, who had been "paralyzed" for three years, sprang up from her wheelchair and walked straight toward my buddy, Ethan. They twirled and leaped across the dance floor. Everyone clapped enthusiastically. A friend clapped and yelled, "Olivia, you're amazing! A fake marriage, faking paralysis—you’ve made Julian our entertainment for three years." Olivia and Ethan interlaced their fingers. "Well, I lost a bet to him before. A bet's a bet." Ethan doubled over with laughter. "We bet on whether Julian would devotedly take care of her for six years. Olivia said he wouldn't; I said he would." "Guess what happened?" "A fake marriage certificate tied Julian down tight. Olivia faked being paralyzed, and he never left her side, carrying her up and down the stairs for three years!" "I guess I know Julian better. I won!" Hidden in the dark corner, I smiled bitterly. So, their betting game had never stopped. If that was the case, I was out of this three-person relationship. ... Laughter filled the private room. Using the shadows for cover, I set the drinks down and retreated to the corner. Seeing the drinks on the table, Ethan started egging everyone on. "Let's all guess what Julian is doing right now. Anyone who guesses wrong has to finish all these beers on the table!" Everyone eagerly joined in. Some said I was sleeping, some said I was cleaning, some said I was scrolling on my phone. When it was Ethan's turn, his tone was certain. "You're all wrong. Julian definitely isn't home. He's out working a late shift to support Olivia." "It's the middle of the night, I don't buy it," someone doubted. Someone asked, "Olivia, you spend the most time with Julian. What do you think?" Olivia's gaze was soft. "I'm with Ethan. Whatever he says is right." Ethan smugly took out his phone and tapped the screen a few times. The next moment, every corner of my rented apartment was clearly projected onto the room's 163-inch screen. The lights were on, but the place was empty. Ethan's eyes crinkled in a smile. "Ha! I won. Everyone who guessed wrong, grab a bottle and chug!" The atmosphere in the room was electric, but I felt a chilling cold wash over me. The little home I had painstakingly decorated over the last five years had been bugged with hidden cameras by Olivia. And I had become a tool for their amusement. After everyone had a round of drinks, Ethan's spirits were high. "Let's do another round! Guess what nicknames Olivia and Julian use when they text." Olivia was peeling a lychee and popping it into Ethan's mouth. She looked so focused, as if the person they were discussing had nothing to do with her. "Olivia's been faking this marriage for five years. She probably calls him 'hubby' or 'Julian' just to keep up appearances." Everyone thought that made sense. Ethan flashed a brilliant smile. "Looks like I won again." He quickly typed something on his phone. Then, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Olivia: "Baby, what are you doing? I miss you." I looked down at Olivia's profile picture, then up at Ethan typing away. My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant hand; I could barely breathe. The next moment, the chat interface was mirrored on the big screen. "Olivia, you're so cheesy! You actually call Julian 'baby'." Olivia glanced at Ethan. "Ethan logged into my account." "He thinks it's fun, he always messes with Julian like this." Everyone gasped. "Olivia, you spoil Ethan too much." Olivia looked at Ethan affectionately. "Ethan said we always did everything together. This is his first time being so far away alone, and he feels insecure." "So I let him log into my messaging app, and I gave him access to the cameras at home." "Whatever he wants, I share everything with him." With trembling hands, I scrolled up through the chat history. "Baby, the sunrise is so beautiful. I wish I could see it every day." "Baby, Valentine's Day is here. I really want some flowers." "Baby, I heard the boba tea shop on the East Side is really good." I had replied to all of them: "Okay, Olivia, wait for me." She wanted to see the sunrise, so I carried her up and down six flights of stairs every day, rain or shine, never missing a day. For Valentine's Day, I'd rush to the florist early to snag the freshest roses to profess my love. I spent six hours crossing the city just to buy her favorite iced boba tea. I’d be so exhausted I was pale, but I never cared. Because I wanted to give Olivia the best of everything. I hoped our days together would get sweeter and sweeter. But today I learned. My dedication and love were nothing but a game for Olivia and Ethan to recklessly toy with. The room reeked of alcohol. The game was still going. Someone cheered, "Ethan, you won again!" Someone grumbled, "Julian, are you a pig? You do whatever you're told! You made me lose another round!" "Gotta admit, Olivia, you really know how to train a guy. Teach us how you did it." Ethan laughed, hugging Olivia, looking triumphant. "The three of us grew up together. Julian has always been like this, super easy to manipulate." "Every time we use him for a bet, Olivia and my relationship gets stronger." "I'm really grateful he's been the security guard for our love." Everyone burst into laughter. I turned off my phone screen and walked out. I handed my resignation to the manager. When I got home, I searched for all the cameras and covered them with duct tape. Then I started packing my bags and looking for a new apartment online. I didn't have much; a small suitcase held it all. The rest of the stuff was all things I had bought for Olivia. The wheelchair, the cushions, the massage pillow. The limited-edition plushies, the perfume, the designer bags I had fought to get. Only then did I realize that all these things were piled in a corner, gathering dust. She had never touched them. I found a cardboard box, stuffed everything inside, and went to the apartment complex's dumpster. As I was leaving, a maintenance guy called out to me, "Hey kid, you're in 605, right?" When I nodded, he hesitated. "Your wife's legs are better, huh? I've seen her come downstairs with a guy a few times. Are they related to you?" "That boba tea and dessert you bought last time? That guy threw it in the trash, too." "Keep an eye on your wife. Don't let just anyone into your house!" I nodded my thanks, tears streaming down my face as I walked back. The truth that a stranger could so easily see... I had been blind to it for six whole years. Back home, I stuffed the last few loose items into my backpack. The lock clicked, and Ethan wheeled Olivia in, laughing and chatting. Seeing me, Ethan walked over and bumped my shoulder. He greeted me as if nothing had happened. "Julian, I'm back!" "Six years, and you're still the same. So goofy, it's hilarious." I forced a stiff smile, hearing the mockery in his words. Leaving the luggage, Ethan helped Olivia from the wheelchair to the couch. He put her arm over his shoulder, pretending it was a struggle. Olivia played along, acting as if her legs were weak and she couldn't stand. Seeing them acting so seriously, I smirked and decided to play along. Soon, Olivia was on the couch, sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Ethan. "What a trip! I'm exhausted! Julian, make me something to eat," Ethan ordered. Olivia immediately looked at me. "Hurry up, I'm hungry too. Make some seafood pasta; Ethan loves it." "I only make tomato and egg pasta," I replied flatly. Olivia's face changed. "Ethan just got back, why are you throwing a fit again?" I watched her anxious face and found it amusing. "Olivia, I'm allergic to seafood, did you forget?" "I didn't ask you to eat it, can't you even touch it?" Olivia dismissed. Ethan blinked. "Hurry up, Julian, I even brought you a gift!" The two of them chimed in perfectly. I didn't say another word and went into the kitchen. The pasta was done and served. Olivia and Ethan got shrimp pasta, and I got tomato and egg pasta. Halfway through eating, a rash started breaking out on my neck and face. It itched so badly I couldn't help but scratch it. Ethan started laughing. He moved all the large shrimp from his bowl to Olivia's. "I won! Olivia, a bet's a bet. You have to peel the shrimp for me!" "Okay, you're the best. Julian didn't even notice." Olivia smiled affectionately and immediately started peeling the shrimp. They were laughing together, but I was frozen. Seeing this, Ethan poked the rash on my face. "All red and blotchy, like a clown. Julian, why are you so clueless?" "Just now, when you went to the kitchen for chopsticks, Olivia and I made a bet. We sneaked a tiny piece of shrimp shell into your bowl to see if you'd notice." "I guessed you wouldn't, Olivia thought you definitely would. I won, buddy. I really do know you best!" The itch on my face turned into a burning, stinging pain. I couldn't breathe, choking until physical tears streamed down my face. Spot, who had been hiding in the corner, seemed to sense my distress. He suddenly charged out and barked twice at Ethan. Ethan's crisp laughter stopped abruptly, and his face went pale. "Spot! Back off!" Olivia's face instantly hardened, and she slammed her chopsticks down hard on Spot's head. Spot whimpered softly and backed away from Ethan. I quickly shielded Spot behind me. "Olivia, what are you doing?!" "The mutt bites, I'm disciplining him," Olivia said coldly. "He almost bit Ethan just now, didn't you see?" My heart ached with a dull pain. "Spot is a retired police dog. You know he doesn't bite; he was just barking to warn Ethan." "That's still not okay." Olivia's face was grim. "Julian, control your dog!" Olivia called Spot a mutt. But she was the one who had gone through so much trouble to get him for me, and she used to treasure him too. After my parents' accident, I lived alone and felt very insecure. Olivia spent a fortune to buy Spot for me, so he could keep me company and protect me. Just now, Spot had barked a warning because he sensed Ethan's malice towards me. "Alright, don't fight over me," Ethan interjected. "It's just a dog, lock him up and it'll be fine." Afraid of another conflict, I locked Spot in the bedroom. Then I went to the bathroom alone to induce vomiting, almost throwing up bile. Besides my neck and face, a dense rash had broken out all over my body. The door opened, and Olivia, sitting in the wheelchair, struggled to get in. She took a towel and wiped the mess from my mouth, her expression complicated. "Ethan's joke went a little too far, but allergies are a minor thing. Don't be so dramatic, you're a grown man." I didn't say anything and pushed away the ointment she offered. Her face grew cold again. "Julian, enough is enough." "Ethan is staying with us for a while this time. What's the point of you having an attitude every day?" I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I just felt exhausted. Then, Ethan's laughter echoed from the master bedroom. "Olivia, come quick! I brought you a gift from abroad. CK lingerie, ultra-sheer. Come try it on for size." The coldness on Olivia's face instantly vanished. She dropped a "calm down by yourself" and wheeled herself toward the bedroom. I smiled bitterly and took Spot out for a walk. Since Ethan was going to stay, to avoid him and Spot clashing again, I dropped Spot off at a pet boarding facility. Then I called the landlord and canceled next month's lease. I didn't get back until the evening. Ethan had already taken over the master bedroom and was asleep. Seeing that I had sent the dog away, Olivia was very satisfied. "Julian, Ethan is exhausted from his trip. The master bed is big and comfortable, let him have it for now. We'll make do in the guest room." I looked at her. "What about tomorrow? And the day after? And next week?" Olivia was taken aback, then her face darkened. "He's your buddy. What's wrong with letting him have the master bedroom?" "Julian, since when have you been so stingy with your friends?" Looking at her angry face, I felt so tired. When did the three of us become like this? I remember the Lunar New Year when my parents died saving someone from drowning. I held Spot, looking at the city lights outside the window, crying alone. The snow was heavy that year. Olivia rode an electric bike for an hour, navigating that dark, unlit path, to bring me New Year's Eve dinner. The basket couldn't hold it all, so she tucked the fried sticky rice balls into her coat to keep them warm. When she took them out, they were still steaming. Her skin got a huge blister from the heat, but she just grinned widely. Ethan also brought dumplings his family had made, steaming hot, making a full table. He smiled, "It's so wonderful that just the three of us are eating all this food!" On New Year's Day, the two of them showed up at my house again, bearing gifts. That winter was bitter cold, but Olivia and Ethan spent it with me. It warmed me for many years. But as time went on, the three of us drifted apart. My phone rang suddenly, waking me up. I crawled out of bed; the apartment was empty. I answered it. It was Olivia's number, but Ethan's voice. "Julian, 8 PM tonight at the Grand Plaza Hotel. My welcome back dinner. Be there on time." "I'm not feeling well, I won't—" Before I could finish, Olivia interrupted me harshly. "Julian, can you stop throwing a tantrum? Ethan wasn't even going to have a welcome dinner, but he booked a five-star hotel just to apologize to you. Are you really going to disrespect him like this?" "Have you forgotten who protected you and helped you grow up after your parents died?" "You need to learn to be grateful!" My throat was dry, like it was stuffed with broken glass. "Okay," I said calmly. "I'll be there on time." When I arrived at the hotel promptly that evening, only leftovers remained. Olivia's face was livid. "I said 8 PM, and you show up exactly at 8 PM. Are you that rigid? Couldn't you come a little early?" "You made all of us wait for you. That's so inconsiderate." Ethan gently patted her arm. "Don't say that. I'm just happy Julian could make it. Stop nagging him!" There were no empty seats, so he casually squeezed me between two women I didn't know. One of them handed me a glass of wine and said bluntly, "You're Julian, right? You're late to Ethan's dinner, but we won't make a big deal out of it. Just down this glass and we'll call it even." I looked at the red wine in front of me, picked it up, and prepared to down it in one gulp. But the next second, the red liquid inside the glass shot out. It sprayed directly into my eyes and nose, igniting a fiery, stinging pain. My eyes were red and tearing up from the sting, and I couldn't breathe through my nose. In the private room, sharp bursts of laughter suddenly erupted. Everyone was laughing uproariously. Ethan slammed the table and stood up, laughing so hard he was doubled over. "See? I told you! Julian is the easiest to fool. He’d never spot a trick glass." "I won again! You each owe me a hundred bucks! Venmo me, Venmo me!" The room was filled with groans and curses. "Damn it! Julian is bad luck! I shouldn't have bet he'd figure it out!" "Olivia and Ethan really know him best. He's just an idiot meant to be played with!" But Ethan suddenly stepped forward to defend me again: "Alright, alright, watch your mouths!" "Julian is soft-hearted. How can he handle you guys insulting him? Apologize, or I'll get mad." Olivia wheeled herself over, helped me up, and wiped the liquid off my face. The people who were just cursing me immediately played along, snickering. "Hey, sorry about that, man. We were just joking around." "Didn't expect you couldn't take a joke. You're Olivia's husband, too. Lame." Rage flooded my mind. I violently smashed the glass on the floor and bolted out of the room. Behind me, I heard Olivia's angry shouts. But I didn't stop, and I didn't look back. Back home, I grabbed the suitcase I had packed earlier and planned to pick up Spot from the pet store. But when I got there, the owner told me the dog had already been picked up. I froze and called Olivia. As soon as the call connected, Olivia's screaming blasted through the speaker. "Julian, are you insane?!" "Smashing a glass in front of all those people? Are you trying to humiliate Ethan?!" I didn't bother replying to that. I just asked, "Olivia, did you pick up Spot?" There was a pause, and then Ethan's voice came on the line. "Sorry, Julian, I forgot to tell you." "My little brother lost a glove while snowboarding. So I had Olivia take your dog up the snowy mountain to help find it." My mind buzzed, and I froze completely. Ethan's brother had gone to Mount Hemu. The temperature there was freezing, the snow was deep, and the terrain was treacherous. People only snowboarded at the base; they never went further up the mountain. But they had left Spot up there alone. "Spot is a retired police dog with severe cardiopulmonary issues, and he has a limp," my voice trembled violently. "He's old! Sending him up that mountain is a death sentence!" "He was bred to serve humans anyway," Olivia's cold voice came through. "Julian, this was my idea." "He barked at Ethan earlier. He needed to be taught a lesson." "Olivia, he's really going to die!" My voice was so hoarse it barely sounded human. "Please, just bring him back! I promise I won't let Ethan see him again!" "It's too late," Olivia's voice was devoid of any warmth. "The news just announced an avalanche on Mount Hemu. All personnel have been safely evacuated. There are no reports of any animals being rescued." My heart cramped painfully. I sprinted out of the pet store and headed straight for the airport. But I ran straight into Ethan, who was pushing Olivia's wheelchair. Seeing me, they weren't surprised. Olivia's face was dark. "Julian, you embarrassed Ethan at the dinner. Spot's situation is just a lesson for you." "Apologize to Ethan, and I'll hire someone to go into the mountains and rescue Spot." Seeing her acting so superior, I trembled with rage. I forcefully kicked the legs she had been pretending were paralyzed. "Are you done acting?! You think playing me for a fool is fun, don't you?!" "Olivia, we're done!" "Ethan, we're through!" Olivia stumbled from my kick, almost falling over, and panicked as she stood up. She and Ethan stood there, frozen in embarrassment. But I didn't give them another glance. I headed straight for the airport and caught the next flight to Hemu. The moment the plane broke through the clouds, my heart felt light and free. This suffocating three-person relationship was finally over.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "574836", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel