It was New Year's Eve. I cooked a feast, waiting for Olivia to come home. Olivia didn't even glance at the food. She just packed her bags. She spoke coldly: "I can't spend the holiday with you this year." I didn't say a word, just quietly ate the meal alone. At midnight, Olivia's ex-boyfriend, Luke, posted a photo on social media right on time. Olivia was leaning intimately against his shoulder, with grand, sparkling fireworks outside the window. The caption: "She said she'd drop everything and be here for me, as long as I asked." I didn't lose control. I just calmly tapped the "Like" button. Olivia called immediately, her voice urgent and panicked: "Don't be mad. I promise I'll spend next New Year's with you..." I laughed bitterly: "Too bad there won't be a next year for us." ... Olivia came home after the holiday. I usually met her at the bottom of our apartment complex, but not this time. She texted: "Where are you?" I was eating lunch. I casually replied: "Come on up yourself. I'm eating." A moment later, I was in the kitchen washing dishes when Olivia came in, dragging her suitcase and catching her breath. "I haven't eaten either. Make me a bowl of noodles." Normally, I would rush to cook for her, but I just said flatly: "I'm busy. Go eat downstairs." Olivia glared at me, annoyed, but she suppressed her anger. "I know you're still mad about New Year's. But please, stop giving me the cold shoulder. I'm genuinely hungry." I dried my hands after finishing the dishes. "I'm not mad." Olivia didn't believe me. "Luke is alone in the city. Regardless of our past, I should be there for him." I replied calmly: "Yeah, I know." Olivia stared into my eyes, trying to read me. Finally, she looked exhausted. "This is exhausting. Can you just stop being dramatic?" I stared back: "I'm not being dramatic. You don't need to explain." Olivia fell silent. She pulled an airplane model from her suitcase and handed it to me. She looked down her nose at me and said flatly: "New Year's gift." The plane model was poorly packaged, wrinkled and crushed, a stark contrast to the perfectly wrapped gifts Luke showed off online. I didn't show any pleasure. I just replied politely: "Thanks." I didn't react further. Olivia's face tightened. She asked angrily: "That's it?" I replied blandly: "That's it." Olivia's face turned white with rage. She held out her hand to me: "Where's mine?" I finally remembered. I apologized: "Sorry, I forgot. I'll transfer you money. Buy something for yourself." I grabbed my phone and quickly sent her the money. Olivia's eyes widened. She couldn't believe I had forgotten. Exchanging New Year's gifts was our tradition. I had always maintained it, even when she forgot mine. An awkward silence filled the room. I grabbed my jacket from the sofa and headed for the door. Olivia called out urgently: "Where are you going?" I answered simply: "Out to grab a drink with friends." With that, I closed the door, ignoring her calls. After I started dating Olivia, she said she didn't like me drinking, so I quit. As a result, my friends thought I was boring and controlled. My phone stopped ringing for parties. Now, I was finally going to drink to my heart's content. Chapter 2 Three rounds in, my friends complained: "I thought you got a girlfriend and forgot about us! Don't ever do that again." I nodded, assuring them: "Invite me to any party. I'll be there, anytime." After I started dating Olivia, I put all my focus on her. My job and my life revolved around her. I lost my own social circle. Now, I saw how foolish that was. I checked my phone. Olivia had declined the money transfer. I got home around 1 AM. I flipped the light on and saw Olivia sitting on the sofa. I felt a moment of confusion, wondering if I was seeing things. Olivia saw me drunk and looked disappointed, not offering to help. She said disdainfully: "Frank, can you try to have some self-respect? If you're jealous, just say so. Drinking like this just makes me look down on you." My head was spinning. I clung to a chair and sat down. Olivia smelled the alcohol on me and subtly wrinkled her nose. "I told you I don't like you drinking." "Luke and I aren't what you think. We're just friends right now. You don't need to get drunk over him." I clutched my head, slurring: "You're overthinking it... I'm drinking because... I'm happy." Seeing me like that, her voice became sharp: "Enough! I gave you a chance. What more do you want? Don't push me. My patience is limited. I can't tolerate your endless demands." My head was pounding. Her voice made it worse. "Stop yelling. I'm going to sleep." Olivia sighed, calming down, and stood up to help me. But I avoided her. I clung to my last thread of sanity, stumbled into the guest room, and locked the door. I ignored her knocking. I fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. When I woke up, Olivia was silently watching TV, her face dark. I knew she was angry. But I didn't try to soothe her. I washed up and walked out. Chapter 3 I went to the office and handed in my resignation. I took this job just to be close to Olivia. Now, it wasn't necessary. The CEO tried to keep me, but I firmly refused. A few days ago, the international company I applied to finally sent an acceptance letter. It was my dream job, but I'd turned it down for Olivia. Thankfully, it wasn't too late to chase my dream. After resigning, I started wrapping up my work. I called a friend with the good news. He was happy for me, but paused. "What about Olivia? Is she going with you?" I gave a bitter laugh: "No. Just me. We're almost over." My parents were gone. The only people I knew were a few friends and Olivia. I used to think my home was wherever Olivia was. Now, I felt rootless. I was a leaf drifting to wherever the wind took me. I got home, and Olivia was heading out. She was dressed perfectly in shorts, her legs long and beautiful. She was carrying a birthday cake. I knew where she was going. It was Luke's birthday. She was on the phone, speaking joyfully: "Stop guessing! If I tell you the gift, it won't be a surprise! Just wait for me." She laughed giddily, revealing her dimples. Her genuine smile was rare to me. She smiled, but seeing me, her face instantly dropped. She gave a look of pure disdain. She put on her shoes, and the door slammed shut. I knew she was giving me the silent treatment, which was usually over Luke. Every time, I would scramble to please her. Even if she ignored my texts, I would try harder. But this time, I just searched for foreign recipes online, practicing them at home. I needed to adapt. Chapter 4 Lying in bed, I saw Luke's social media post: "I'm so grateful that after everything, you're still by my side." The comments were from Olivia's friends: "So touching. I'm happy Olivia is happy." Olivia's friends always saw me as the intruder between Luke and Olivia. They believed Olivia would be happier without me. Looking at Olivia's own comment, I saw they weren't wrong. Olivia commented: "Everything happens for a reason." I watched their sickening interactions. One of her friends commented: "Stop posting! Frank will see this and cause drama!" In the past, I politely asked Olivia to keep her distance from Luke. Her friends called me controlling and small-minded. Olivia just let them, then criticized me for not being "man enough" to be generous. But I ignored them this time. I closed the app and watched videos. I fell asleep. Olivia woke me up when she returned. She shouted: "Frank, your girlfriend was out late, and you didn't check on me? My friend's boyfriends call constantly! What is wrong with you?" Chapter 5 I looked at her, confused. Why was she so upset? I used to check on her constantly, and she snapped: "I'm not a trophy! Give me some freedom! I'm suffocating!" Now that I didn't call, she was upset. I had no idea what she wanted. But I didn't bring up the past. I just said calmly: "You were out with friends. Why would I call? You and Luke are just friends. I have nothing to worry about." Olivia's eyes widened in disbelief. She was shocked I spoke so calmly about Luke. She quickly explained: "That post was just a memorial. It means nothing. Don't worry." I shook my head, about to speak, but she continued: "Why? Do you think I shouldn't have gone to Luke's birthday? We've known each other for ten years! We dated briefly, but now we're just friends! I had to go!" I replied understandingly: "I know. It's late. Go to bed." Olivia was silent. She stared at me, trying to confirm I wasn't angry. She reached out to hug me, but I subtly moved away. I said flatly: "Are you sleeping in the master or the guest room?" Chapter 6 Olivia looked surprised. I had never rejected her intimacy before; I usually craved it. Angry and embarrassed, Olivia slammed the guest room door and went to the master bedroom. I went straight to sleep. Since I stopped obsessing over her, falling asleep was easy. The next morning, my college professor called. He found out I was going abroad and wanted to say goodbye. I couldn't refuse his offer to gather the class together. I was surprised to see Olivia there. Of course. She was his favorite student. Next to her was Luke. Even for a casual reunion, she brought him. Olivia saw me and gestured for me to sit down. I ignored her. I wouldn't disturb them. Luke saw me and smirked. He quickly composed himself and apologized to me. "Sorry to intrude on your reunion. I got bored, so Olivia brought me." Chapter 7 Olivia tried to explain to me several times, but failed. I politely raised my glass: "The professor doesn't mind. I certainly don't." I drank and checked my phone. Olivia had sent several texts: "I only brought him because it was convenient. Don't worry." "If you mind, I won't bring him next time." The last text read: "Let's go home together after dinner." I cleared my throat and texted back: "No need. You and Luke can go. I drove." I focused on my dinner, ignoring her messages. The conversation flowed, and everyone reminisced. My professor got sentimental. He stood up, raising his glass to me. "You were my best student. Your dream was always to study abroad. I don't know why you stayed here." "But now, I'm so happy you're finally going! Here's to your journey and a successful career!" I smiled gratefully and downed the drink. Olivia looked stunned, as if hearing unbelievable news. Chapter 8 "Professor, what are you talking about? What's this about going abroad?" Olivia's voice was sharp. The professor didn't know we were dating. He replied casually: "You don't know? Frank is going abroad. This is our last dinner with him. It'll be hard to see him again." Olivia's eyes were bloodshot. She rushed up and pulled me out of the room. We stood against the wall. I remained calm. She spoke first. "Abroad? What do you mean? Why didn't you discuss this with me? Why didn't you tell me?" Her voice trembled with disbelief and fear. I realized my mistake. "Oh, that. You were spending New Year's with Luke, so I didn't want to bother you." My voice was distant and formal, drawing a clear boundary. Olivia looked embarrassed but grabbed my arm. "No matter what, I'm your girlfriend. You should share things with me." I nodded surprisingly. I used to tell her everything, and she complained I was annoying. She sighed and asked: "How long will you be gone?" I lied: "About a year." I planned to stay permanently. Olivia looked shocked. "That long?" I kept my head down, letting her believe the lie. She finally said: "Let's go home together later." She looked hopeful. Chapter 9 Before I could answer, Luke walked out of the room. His eyes were glazed over from the alcohol. He leaned into Olivia. Olivia looked frantic, checking my reaction. "He's drunk. We never touch when he's sober." She couldn't push him away. Olivia always said she hated the smell of alcohol, but she didn't flinch from Luke. She ignored Luke, looking at me: "Wait for me. I'll get him a ride, and then we'll go home." Before I could answer, Luke whined: "I'm dizzy. Take me home, okay?" He rubbed against her, a gesture that looked practiced. I spoke calmly: "No need. He obviously needs you. I'll go home by myself." Olivia looked desperate. "What about you? I'll take you first." I gave her a knowing look: "I'll take a cab. Just drop me at the next corner." She hesitated but pulled over. I got out. She looked worried. "Are you sure you're okay? I can skip him." I urged her: "Go. You'll be late." She drove off. I went to complete my paperwork. I looked at the date. Ten days until I left the country. Back home, I saw Olivia's text: "I dropped Luke off." "He kept throwing up. I might stay here tonight."
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