Chapter 1

Seven years together, and on the day we were supposed to put down the deposit for our future home, Ethan didn't show.

He sent a message: "Chloe had a small car accident. She's really shaken up, so I need to stay with her at the hospital."

"Let's sign for the apartment next week. I'm going to marry you anyway, what's a few extra days?"

"Don't overthink it. She's all alone in a new city; I just see her as a sister."

I stared at the bank card in my hand, calmly typed one word: "Okay."

Then, I turned around and bought the apartment outright, putting only my name on the title.

At the same time, Chloe posted on Instagram:

"When I was most scared, my superhero appeared out of nowhere. The hospital smells like disinfectant, but his embrace feels so safe."

The post included a photo of Ethan's back, covering her with his jacket in the emergency room hallway.

I instinctively liked the post, then commented: "Hold him tight. He's all yours now."

"Ashley, are you crazy? You liked her post? You even commented, wishing them a happy life together?"

Sarah snatched my phone, her voice trembling with anger.

"Don't you get it? Chloe made that post just to piss you off! It was only visible to you! She's declaring war!"

I took my phone back from Sarah and turned off the screen.

"I know."

Sarah froze.

She stared at me with wide eyes, as if she didn't recognize me, then slumped onto the couch in defeat.

"Then why are you letting her walk all over you? And Ethan's such an idiot, doesn't he know what day it is today? It's deposit day! This is the apartment you two have been looking at for a whole year!"

"Sarah, do me a favor."

"Tell me! Are we going to the hospital to tear apart that toxic couple? I'll go start the car right now!"

"No." I shook my head, pulling the purchase agreement from my bag. "Come with me to the bank. I need to make a large transfer."

Sarah's eyes lit up: "You're paying the deposit yourself? And not putting his name on it?"

"Not the deposit," I said, looking at the blank space on the contract where both our names were supposed to go. "It's the full amount. I'm buying it alone."

Sarah's expression shifted from shock to pity, then to a strange, indescribable bitterness. She didn't ask any more questions, just squeezed my arm tightly.

At ten that night, Ethan's message finally popped up.

"Ash, Chloe's stable now, just minor scrapes. I'll treat you to a big dinner tomorrow to make it up to you."

"I'll definitely take time off next week to go with you for the apartment. I've already talked to the agent."

"Go to bed early, don't overthink it."

There it was again. Those three words.

*Don't overthink it.*

For seven years, every time he stood me up for Chloe, every time he put me through something for Chloe, it always ended with those flimsy three words.

As if all my anger and hurt were because I was petty, and not because he had no boundaries.

I replied: "Okay."

He immediately sent back a head-patting emoji.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and went to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

His electric toothbrush was still on the counter, next to his men's face wash, which he'd just opened yesterday.

I grabbed a trash bag and swept in his toothbrush, face wash, razor, and the towel he kept at my place.

Sarah leaned against the bathroom doorframe, watching me.

"Ash, are you serious this time?"

I didn't turn around. I pulled a few of his shirts from the balcony clothesline and folded them into a cardboard box.

"A month ago, I submitted a transfer request to head office to move to the branch. Back then, I just wanted a change of scenery. But today, I'm truly done with him."

"Because of that post?"

"Because this morning, before he left, he poured me a cup of warm water with honey."

Sarah didn't understand. "What's wrong with that?"

"Last week, Chloe said her stomach had been bothering her, and she needed to drink honey water every morning. Ethan remembered that. But he forgot that honey gives me severe stomach cramps."

I pressed a hand to my subtly aching stomach, forcing a smile.

In my sophomore year of college, I'd accidentally eaten honey and had such bad stomach cramps I was writhing in the dorm. He'd carried me on his back, running two blocks to the infirmary.

Later, he remembered honey water was good for Chloe's stomach, but forgot that honey would make me miserable.

Sarah fell silent.

The tape on the cardboard box made a harsh tearing sound.

I sealed the box and brushed the dust from my hands.

I didn't cry.

I just felt that seven years, that measure of time, had suddenly become incredibly ridiculous.