When I was hemorrhaging during childbirth, dying on the table, he didn’t care. He was at Disneyland, celebrating his ex-girlfriend’s birthday. In that moment, I finally understood. Love that you have to beg for is destined to fade. Reborn, I smiled and agreed: "I’m bored too. Let’s break up!" 1 Hearing those words come out of my mouth, Julian froze. He thought he misheard. I was usually explosive. I’d catch fire at the slightest spark. How had I suddenly become so tame? He dropped the joking tone and looked at me seriously. "Chloe, do you know what I just said?" I kept the breezy smile on my face. "I know. Didn't you say I should find someone else?" In my past life, if he said anything I didn't like, I’d scratch him like a cat until he apologized. But this time, I chose to set him free. And free myself. Julian frowned. "Chloe, what’s wrong with you today?" Crash. Before he could finish, the sound of shattering glass came from the next table. A figure in a white dress ran out the door, sobbing. Heads turned. My brother, Zach, nudged Julian with his elbow. "Isn't that the girl who dumped you? Sophie? You invited her?" "It’s New Year's Eve. Breaking glass is bad luck. Did you say something to her?" Julian’s brow furrowed deeper. He stood up abruptly, ignoring me, and chased after her. The room buzzed. The crying faded into the distance, replaced by the hushed tones of a couple reconciling. I kept eating my appetizer, unbothered. Usually, with every course, I’d peel shrimp for Julian or refill his drink. He took so many work calls; I acted more like his assistant than his girlfriend. Zach noticed my lack of movement. "Whoa, no special service for Julian tonight? You treat him better than you treat your own brother." "I swear," Zach teased, leaning in, "sometimes I think you have a crush on him." In the past, I would have panicked. Julian would have immediately ruffled my hair and called me his "little sister" to kill the suspicion. He didn't want to leave any trace of our love. But I loved him so much, I was willing to hide in the dark. Tonight, I just kept eating. "Why don't you go check on him?" Zach pressed. "He might run off with another girl." My fork paused. "If he runs off, that’s his business." "I’m just his 'little sister.' Why should I disturb him?" Zach stared at me, trying to read my face. Today was Julian’s birthday. We were supposed to announce our relationship. But he invited Sophie instead. Ten minutes later, Julian and Sophie returned. Sophie’s eyes were red. She looked tragic and delicate. Julian was holding her hand, whispering things that made her nod meekly. Zach let out a low whistle. "Julian! Sophie! Are you guys back together?" Julian’s head snapped toward me. I saw a flash of panic in his eyes. "Don't talk nonsense. We’re old classmates. I’m just making sure she’s okay." Zach grinned, shameless as ever. "I’m an old classmate too. Care about me?" Julian shoved him. "Get off me." Seeing Sophie act like a wounded bird, I pulled Zach away. "Zach, stop bothering them. Let them have their moment." I smiled brightly at Julian. "Right, Julian?" Julian froze at the formal use of his name. He looked at me with a complicated expression but didn't say anything. He walked Sophie out. As soon as they left, the table exploded with gossip. "I knew it. First loves never die." "Dude, Sophie gave him her kidney back in the day. He spent months by her bedside. You don't just get over that bond." "Since she’s back in the states, they’re definitely endgame." My chest ached, a dull pain. Their fates were tied by flesh and blood. I was just the fool who kept his bed warm in the dark. In my past life, after we married, everything changed. He wouldn't touch me. We slept in separate rooms. We even used separate utensils. When his parents pressured him for a baby, he finally touched me. That night, he demanded the lights be off. He kept his eyes closed the whole time, like he was enduring torture. The next day, he stayed overnight at Sophie's. One winter, I got the flu. I was paralyzed in bed, weak and feverish. I asked him to drive me to the hospital. He said he was busy with work and hung up impatiently. Turns out, he was at the nail salon with Sophie. The staff praised them for being such a loving couple. When I went into labor, I was bleeding out on the floor. I called him, crying. He finally snapped: "It’s just having a baby! You aren't dying. Why are you crying?" "Take an Uber to the hospital. I'm busy. Bye." He hung up. When I called back, his phone was off. But Sophie posted on Instagram. Eight photos of Julian at Disneyland, celebrating her birthday. The center photo was them kissing. In that moment, I lost the will to live. Julian, if you don't love me, why should I save this baby? I threw my phone out the window. I watched the blood spread. I died from blood loss. Even then, Julian thought I was acting. Back at the party, without Julian, people drifted away. I finished my meal and left. Usually, Julian would text me every three minutes. Tonight, silence. Fireworks lit up the sky at midnight. Julian, who rarely used social media, posted a story. A photo of Sophie asleep on his shoulder. Peaceful. Obedient. Caption: Her. The comments flooded in instantly. "Congrats!" "Happy Wedding!" "Soulmates!" I liked the photo. A minute later, the post disappeared. Then, my phone buzzed. A text from Sophie. [Julian drove me home. I fell asleep on his shoulder. It was too late for him to drive back, so he’s crashing at my place.] [You don't mind, right?] I typed back: [Mn.] Whatever they did was no longer my problem. I was about to sleep when Julian texted. Syncing up their stories, I guess. [Sophie just got back to the country. She didn't buy new clothes for New Year's. Lend her some of yours tomorrow.] [The mall is closed. I can't buy any now.] Reading this, my mood hit rock bottom. My new clothes. The ones I hadn't even worn yet. I had to give them to the woman he loved? Who did he think he was? I didn't reply. I turned off my phone. The next morning, Julian showed up at our house with Sophie. 10 AM. The doorbell rang. Zach opened the door to find Julian and Sophie holding gift bags. My whole family welcomed them warmly. Except me. Julian lost his parents young. My grandma raised him. He grew up with us. My parents treated him like a son. Julian walked in and looked at me deeply. My mom smiled at Sophie. "Is this Julian's girlfriend? It’s been years. You got so pretty!" "Thanks, Mrs. Zhu. You haven't aged a day," Sophie said, charming as ever. "Chloe! What are you doing in your room? Come say hi to your Brother Julian and Sister Sophie!" I walked down, poured tea, and kept my voice respectful. "Happy New Year, Brother Julian. Sister Sophie." Julian’s face twisted. While I was in the bathroom, he texted me. [What are you mad about?] I left it on read. Lunch was awkward. I sat in my usual spot. Julian sat next to me—Zach's seat. Zach stared. "Bro, why are you stealing my chair? Go sit next to your girlfriend." He pulled Julian up. After a shuffle, Julian sat across from me. As soon as he sat down, I felt like I was on pins and needles. He stared at me with dark eyes. I looked away and ate in silence. Halfway through, he took another call. I looked at his empty bowl. I swallowed my food and ignored it. When he came back, he looked at the empty bowl, then at me. Zach noticed. "It’s self-serve, man. Nobody’s fighting you for food. Don't stress Chloe out." My mom looked between Julian and me. She sensed something. Suddenly, she called my name. "Chloe." "Look, Julian brought a girlfriend home." "When are you going to bring a boyfriend home for us to see?" Julian opened his mouth, looking like he wanted to speak. I cut him off. "If you and Dad know anyone nice, introduce me." In the past, I rejected these setups immediately. Zach choked on his water, then slammed me on the back. "Chloe! You finally opened your eyes!" "If you want a guy, I’ll set you up tonight! I have tons of handsome friends!" I laughed. "Okay." I glanced at Julian. His lips were pressed into a thin white line. "Mom, stop joking," he interrupted suddenly. "Sophie is just an old classmate." My mom paused. Sophie’s smile froze. Zach, ever the agent of chaos, laughed. "So you're single? Then why don't we set you up with Chloe?" My heart stopped. Julian shoved Zach. "Stop it. Chloe is my sister." The hope died. Completely. I took a deep breath and forced a natural smile. "Exactly, Zach. Don't talk nonsense. Julian is my brother." Julian left with Sophie right after lunch. We didn't talk for days. I ate, I slept, I went to reunions. On the fifth day of the New Year, Zach had a class reunion.
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