Chapter 2
My mother seemed to
sense the slight catch in my voice and gently comforted me.
“You’ve been with him for four years, yet when your adoptive parents both passed away in that car accident, he didn’t even go to accompany and care for you. You’re better off without a man like that. There are plenty of eligible bachelors in Italy. When the time Dies
mes, your father and I can help you find someone–you’ll have your pick.”
“Alright, I’ll pack up over the next couple of weeks. I’ll meet you at the airport.”
Just as I ended the call, the bathroom door opened, and Vincent emerged with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Who are you meeting at the airport?” he asked.
I paused, looking down slightly. “My mother.”
As he put on his pajamas, Vincent said, “If your mom’s coming to Seattle, I’ll set up a dinner
to welcome her.”
He assumed I meant my adoptive mother, and for a moment, I didn’t feel the need to clarify
everything.
I glanced at the date on my phone: June 15.
Only fifteen days left until I left for Italy.
“Talk about it later,” I replied vaguely.
Vincent murmured a half–hearted “hmm” and returned his gaze to his phone, his face relaxed, occasionally breaking into a soft smile. I looked away, lying down with my eyes
closed.
After some time, I heard him set down his phone and felt him slide closer, wrapping his
arm around me.
My body stiffened, and I instinctively pulled his hand away.
Chapter 2
“Babe, are you mad because I didn’t answer your calls? I’ll make sure to keep my
plitheo me from now on so I won’t go off the grid again.” Vincent seemed to sense something was off, trying to coax me gently.
“No, I’m not mad. I’m just really tired.”
I kept my tone flat, unwilling to say more.
But inside, I silently told him:
Vincent, there is no “next time” for us.
The night was quiet, and his gentle breathing filled the room, but I couldn’t sleep. Thoughts
of the “Sailor Moon” in his phone haunted me, and I made up my mind.
I got up, picked up his phone, unlocked it, and opened WhatsApp.
Originally, I was the only pinned contact, but now it was both me and “Sailor Moon,” with her chat sitting at the top. Their latest messages were goodnight texts right before he slept.
My hands trembled as I scrolled through Vincent and Alina’s chat history, realizing they’d been messaging daily for an entire year.
He’d spent Valentine’s Day with me, yet he’d still sent her pictures of the food we shared.
He’d watched movies with me, only to text her later about whether it was worth seeing,
even taking her for a second viewing the next day.
Even after our late nights together, he would share folk music with her as if he were a
pure–hearted young man.
Each page of their chat clashed with my memories of our relationship, tearing me apart
inside. I didn’t understand it.
The man who looked at me with such genuine love–how could he share those intimate details with someone else while claiming to love me?
I stayed up all night..
The next morning, as I finished preparing breakfast, I checked the reminder on my phone.
Chapter 2
Today marked four years with Vincent.
Six months ago, we had planned a trip to Disneyland to celebrate.
With fourteen days left until I left, I decided to end things there, bringing closure to our
four years together.
At the dining table, Vincent was scrolling on his phone as he ate. I couldn’t hold back.
t that wait until after breakfast? You have a flight to catch, remember
He absentmindedly replied, “Flight? Are you going somewhere today?”
For a moment, I froze, realizing he’d forgotten our Disneyland plans and the significance of today.
I had intended to part on good terms, but now I just felt foolish.
Forcing a smile, I said, “It’s nothing. I’m just seeing off a friend.”
Vincent didn’t ask further.
At that moment, his phone screen lit up. I glanced over instinctively and saw a message
from “Sailor Moon“:
“I’m so hungry! Where’s my
breakfast?”
Vincent quickly grabbed his phone, taking two egg crepes from the table and glancing at met with a guilty look.
“My advisor needs me for something. I’m heading to the lab.”
Watching him leave in a hurry, I let out a silent laugh.
He could barely even lie convincingly. He really couldn’t wait.
I picked up my phone and canceled the Disneyland tickets I had booked months ago.
On Instagram, I opened Alina’s new post:
“I said I was hungry, and my boyfriend showed up downstairs with a homemade breakfast
Chapter 2
right away!”
I felt a chill wash over me.
Homemade by him?
How absurd!
I couldn’t eat anymore.
I got up and threw the remaining breakfast into the trash, along with the last traces of
affection I had for Vincent.
