Chapter 2

I finally made it onto the plane.

After settling into my seat, I felt a little dizzy, having missed breakfast.

Habitually, I reached into my pocket and, sure enough, found three chocolates.

Ever since I'd fainted from low blood sugar a long time ago.

Every day, Julian would habitually put a few chocolates in my pocket.

The sweetness melted on my tongue, and the dizziness quickly subsided.

But then, a persistent, lingering bitterness crept up.

Seven years together.

How did Julian and I end up like this?

At first, I truly believed Cassie Davies was just a 'favor' he had to do for a family friend, someone he brought into the company out of obligation.

That's why Julian had to be strictly professional with me at work multiple times, while giving her special treatment.

My department head, Mr. Henderson, would constantly make my life miserable, and nothing would happen; but if he was even slightly curt with Cassie, he'd be fired.

Everyone secretly nicknamed Cassie behind her back, calling her the future Mrs. Sterling even to me, Julian's secret girlfriend.

I forced myself to understand his difficulties, but this 'special treatment' extended to our home.

Julian would repeatedly leave me for her phone calls.

A furious argument erupted one night.

I saw a photo in a colleague's SnapChat group.

Julian, who told me he was working late, was out watching a midnight movie with Cassie Davies.

It was the exact movie I'd begged Julian to see with me multiple times, only to be ruthlessly rejected.

I tugged on his sleeve, swaying, "Everyone watches it with their true love! Let's go too!"

Julian didn't even bother to lift an eyelid, refusing, "Watching those mindless rom-coms is a waste of life."

But the man in the photo looked dashing, smiling brightly.

Not a trace of impatience.

The messages in the SnapChat group scrolled furiously, then blurred into a jumble before my eyes.

When Julian came home, I asked him, my voice devoid of inflection:

"Was 'Ever After' good?"

A hint of surprise seemed to flash in his eyes.

Or perhaps I was mistaken.

He was utterly indifferent, expressionless: "Are you stalking me?"

My heart felt heavy, suffocated, like a thick, wet towel pressed against it, stealing my breath.

"Why would I need to stalk you?"

"Your sweet photos with her are all over the company SnapChat group!"

My chest heaved uncontrollably:

"Julian, if you want to break up, just say so. You don't need to lie to me like this!"

Julian's expression didn't even change, calm as an outsider.

"If you don't even have basic trust in me, then I have nothing more to say."

"Aurora, I've had a long day. I don't have the energy to argue with you."

No guilt, no explanation.

Compared to my frantic state, he was so composed.

He even remembered to place the paper bag in his hand steadily on the table.

The words 'Ever After' on the paper bag were like icy daggers, plunging straight into my heart.

All the emotions I'd suppressed for so long, mixed with a tidal wave of resentment, crashed down on me.

Finally, it snapped the last thread of my sanity.

I snatched the paper bag in a fit of rage, smashing it to the floor.

It wasn't sealed.

The contents tumbled out, vying for release.

Making a few soft thuds.

I didn't even look, just stared at Julian, my eyes red-rimmed.

We met gazes, a silent standoff.

After a long moment, he slammed the door and left.

I stood there, stiff as a statue.

Until something rolled to my feet.

I looked down, startled.

Chocolates.

Handmade chocolates, scattered all over the floor.