Chapter 4

Once the waiter left, Chloe pulled a small, elegant jewelry box from her designer bag. "I spent a really long time picking this out for you. I know you'll love it."

I opened it. Inside was a pair of beautifully crafted silver cufflinks. The design was incredibly unique. As a designer, I had to admit Chloe knew exactly how to appeal to my taste.

But I didn't care anymore.

I gave her a polite smile. "Thank you." I closed the box and set it aside, preparing to tell her about my departure to Europe.

Right on cue, her phone rang. It was Hunter.

Chloe glanced at the caller ID and answered it immediately.

"Chloe, where are you?" Hunter's voice drifted through the speaker, laced with pain. "I think I sprained my ankle. Can you please come drive me to the hospital?"

A mocking smile crept onto my face.

Ten years of the exact same script. Didn't he ever get tired of acting?

"I'll be right there, Hunter. Don't move, just wait for me."

Chloe hung up quickly and looked at me apologetically. "Hunter has an emergency. I have to go check on him. You go ahead and eat, I already paid for the bill."

Before I could even respond, she grabbed her purse and ran out of the restaurant, leaving me sitting there alone.

But honestly, I was used to it.

Whenever Hunter was an option, Chloe never had to hesitate. Because from day one, Hunter was always her number one choice.

I picked up the box of cufflinks, tracing the cold metal.

This dinner was supposed to be her apology to me, but I didn't feel a single drop of sincerity.

The food was served shortly after. I took a bite. Chloe was right about one thing—Hunter and I did share a similar palate.

I snapped a picture of the beautifully plated dish and posted it on my Snapchat story with the caption: *"Actually tastes pretty good."*

Even without Chloe, I could still enjoy my life.

The moment I stopped letting her dictate my emotions, I realized how light and free I felt.

A minute after my post went live, Hunter posted a photo on his own story.

The background was clearly a hospital room. He was leaning back against the pillows, with Chloe’s hand resting gently on his shoulder.

His caption read: *"So lucky to have you by my side through everything."*

I knew exactly what Hunter was trying to do.

He wanted to make me jealous. He wanted me to blow up, pick a fight with Chloe, and make her resent me. Then, he could play the innocent, victimized best friend.

But this time, his little game wasn't going to work.

I wasn't going to waste my energy being their relationship entertainment anymore.

Surprisingly, Chloe commented on my Snapchat story.

*"I'll come back to the restaurant to join you soon. Wait for me."*

I read her comment and closed the app. She was at the hospital with Hunter; there was no way she was coming back.

After finishing my meal, I walked out of the restaurant. But the weather seemed determined to mock me. The moment I stepped onto the sidewalk, the sky opened up into a torrential downpour.

Cabs and Ubers kept pulling up, but I waved them away.

I hadn't walked in the rain like this in years.

It actually felt incredibly liberating.

The only downside was that my body wasn't as resilient as I thought. Walking home in the freezing rain gave me a brutal fever by the next morning.

My phone rang. It was Chloe, and she sounded extremely annoyed. "Where were you all day yesterday? Did you seriously not come home last night?"

"Do you have any idea how annoying it is to wake up and not have breakfast ready?"

"Can't you just order DoorDash?" I asked, my voice hoarse from the fever. I couldn't believe she still expected me to be her on-call maid.

"Hunter is sick and hospitalized," she snapped. "Restaurant food is so unhealthy. Get back here right now and make some homemade soup so I can bring it to him."

If I recalled correctly, Hunter only had a sprained ankle. Since when did a sprained ankle require a home-cooked diet?

I didn't have the energy to argue with her. "I'm busy. Bye."

I hung up, dragged myself to an urgent care clinic, and got some prescription meds. Afterward, I went straight to the studio. The moment I sat down, Marcus called a few of us into his office.

"The three of you will be representing our studio at NW in Europe. The flights are booked for next Wednesday. Take the next few days to pack your things and say your goodbyes to your families."

"Also, don't make any plans for tonight. The company is hosting a farewell dinner for you guys."

Looking at the approval form in my hand, I felt a rush of genuine excitement.

Marcus smiled at me. "Julian, you better not skip out on the drinks tonight."

Ever since I started dating Chloe, I had skipped every single company happy hour just to run home to her. I smiled back at him. "Don't worry, Marcus. I'll be there."

That night was incredible. We went out for drinks and ended up at a karaoke bar. By the time I unlocked the front door of my apartment, it was already 2:00 AM.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw Chloe sitting on the sofa.

For ten years, this was the very first time she had ever left a light on for me.

"Where the hell have you been?" she demanded, her voice shaking.

I kicked off my shoes at the entryway, ignoring her.

Her eyes welled up with tears. "Are you punishing me because I left you at the restaurant to help Hunter?"

"He was hurt, Julian! I couldn't just leave him there. You know he's like family to me. Is it really so wrong for me to take care of him when he's sick?"

"You don't need to explain anything to me," I interrupted, my voice perfectly calm.

"I'm not mad. I was just at a company farewell dinner, so I got back late."

Hearing my calm response, her expression softened slightly. She wiped her tears. "Why didn't you text me beforehand to let me know you were going out?"

"Why should I have to report my whereabouts to you, Chloe? Have you ever once reported yours to me?"

***