Chapter 1

On the day I receive my acceptance letter from my dream university, Jaxson Ludlam rents out an entire bar to celebrate with me.

During a tipsy round of honest confessions, someone asks him what's the most outrageous thing he has ever done in high school.

Leaning back on the couch, Jaxson looks toward Ingrid Rice, who has been sitting silently in the corner all this while.

With a soft chuckle, he says, "Well, I guess it's probably taking the blame for someone and getting a detention right before the SAT."

The entire room gasps in shock.

Even I am stunned.

A month before the SAT, Ingrid is caught using the school's computer lab without permission and very nearly got expelled. Jaxson steps forward and claims that he forces her to unlock the lab, taking all the blame himself.

I always believe he did it simply because of his sense of responsibility as the class president.

Under everyone's curious gaze, Ingrid blushes, and tears brim in her eyes.

Jaxson gets up and walks over to shield her from everyone's attention before turning back to me with a reassuring smile.

"Mira." Lowering his voice so only I can hear, he gently coaxes me. "If this goes into Ingrid's record, it'll ruin the rest of her life. You're always so understanding. Let's just treat it as doing a good deed for a friend, okay?"

Looking at the way he takes it all for granted, I suddenly find the noise in the bar unbearably nauseating.

I stand up and slip my acceptance letter back into my bag. "I understand."

Meeting his startled eyes, I say, one word at a time, "Let's break up."

Chapter 1

"Miranda Hewlett, we're all here to celebrate because you got into your dream university. What's with the attitude?"

Jaxson Ludlam's voice sounded especially grating over the music.

I ignored him and zipped up my bag. I turned around to push open the glass door and walked out. I stood on the steps outside the bar, not going very far.

We'd spent 18 years as childhood sweethearts and three years dating each other.

Deep down, I still held onto one pitiful shred of hope. I hoped he would come after me, even if it was only to grab my hand and say he was sorry.

Ten minutes later, the glass door behind me finally opened. The sound of familiar footsteps slowly approached.

"Mira!" Jaxson's voice drifted through the night breeze.

My heart, which had gradually turned cold with disappointment, still softened a little involuntarily despite myself.

Taking a deep breath, I turned around, ready to hear his apology.

But what I saw wasn't his anxious face.

He had a pink-and-white jacket draped over his arm. It belonged to Ingrid Rice.

He walked over to me briskly and held out a plastic key card. "Take it."

I froze and looked down. It was a room key card for the hotel next door.

"What do you mean by this?" I heard my own voice trembling in the night wind.

Jaxson frowned, looking troubled. "Ingrid had too much to drink. She threw up all over herself in the restroom. Her family is really strict. If she goes home drunk like this, she'll definitely get into trouble."

He paused, took my hand, and lowered his voice. "I'm a guy. I can't help her change her clothes. And if I take her to a hotel and someone sees us, what will people think about her? You're my girlfriend. Can you help me out this once? Just for one night."

As I stared at the familiar face in front of me, my stomach churned.

So, the greatest value I had as his actual girlfriend was being the perfect cover for his female best friend. To protect another woman's reputation, he didn't hesitate to use me as a convenient tool.

Looking into his anxious eyes, I suddenly felt that the 18 years we'd shared were nothing but a pathetic joke.

In a tired voice, I said, "Jaxson, I'm your girlfriend, not your cover-up for every damsel you want to protect."

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Jaxson questioned, his expression darkening.

He stepped forward, trying to force the room key into my hand. "I'm just asking you for a favor. Is this really such a big deal? Ingrid has always been timid. She got quite a scare today. You're usually so understanding. Why are you being so petty all of a sudden?"

Instead of taking the key card, I raised my hand and slapped his arm away. "Keep your room key and go protect her precious innocence. We're done."

With that, I turned around and walked toward a taxi that had just pulled over at the curb. I opened the door and got into the back seat.

"Please drive."

As the taxi pulled away, I looked into the rearview mirror and saw Jaxson still standing where he was. He was still clutching the room key, his face livid as he stared at the taillights disappearing into the distance.

He didn't come after me because he still had to go back and take care of the timid, fragile Ingrid.

My phone screen lit up as a WhatsApp message from Jaxson popped up. "Throw your little tantrum if you want. I already transferred you the money for the hotel tonight. Calm down."

I looked at the cold, emotionless text and replied, "No need. Save it and buy her some hangover medicine."

I hit "Send" and blocked him.

Chapter 2

My phone vibrated beside my pillow. I opened my eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling.

It was the third day after our breakup. During those three days, I had blocked Jaxson on every social media platform and went to stay at the school's dormitory. He hadn't come looking for me once.

He was convinced I was just throwing a tantrum. He assumed that I'd go back to him and apologize in a few days.

The withdrawal was unbearable. After all, one wouldn't just forget a habit that had stuck around for 18 years.

When I woke up in the morning, I'd instinctively reach for my phone to check for Jaxson's good morning message. Whenever I passed a convenience store, I'd automatically think about buying him a bottle of long black.

Whenever I came across a funny video, my finger would unconsciously drift toward the share button before I suddenly caught myself and smiled bitterly at our chat window.

On the morning of the fourth day, I forced myself out of bed, washed up, got dressed, and headed to the city library to look up some information about Wesmuth University's early admission program.

As I pushed open the rusty iron door of my dorm building, the warm morning breeze rushed toward me. I kept my head down as I walked out.

Suddenly, I bumped into a warm chest.

"You still don't watch where you're going, huh?" A deep, amused voice sounded above my head.

My whole body stiffened.

I looked up to see Jaxson smiling down at me. He was wearing the black shirt I'd bought him and carrying a plastic bag containing steaming hot potato rolls from the famous shop downtown. It was from the one where people had to wait in line for two hours.

"Are you still mad about that night?" Jaxson asked.

He gently pressed the bag of rolls against my cheek, wearing a placating smile.

"I didn't stay with her afterward. I really did have her roommate come pick her up. To make it up to you, I got in line at 5:00 am for these from that famous old shop. Can't you forgive me, please, Mrs. Ludlam?"

By giving a half-hearted concession and using my familiar pet name, he thought he could smooth over the way he'd belittled me that night.

If this had been the old me, I definitely would have given in. But now, the smell wafting from the box of rolls only made my stomach churn.

"Do you not understand plain English?" I asked irritably.

I didn't take them. Instead, I took a step back.

Then, I added, "We've already broken up."

The smile at the corner of his lips froze for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"Come on, Mira." He sighed, sounding a little helpless. "I know I didn't think things through at the bar that night, and I hurt your feelings. But I was thinking about the bigger picture, wasn't I? We're all classmates."

As he spoke, he pulled an envelope out of his crossbody bag. "To make it up to you, look what I've got."

He opened the envelope and handed it to me.

It was a travel itinerary for a graduation trip to an island. It included not only a detailed schedule but also two first-class plane tickets to Sundale for the following week.

I froze, my eyes sweeping over the place names on the itinerary. It included diving at Centora Island, watching the sunset at Coconut Bay, and even dining at the cliffside restaurant I'd casually mentioned just once.

Every single detail was something I'd once excitedly planned out with him.

"I was always busy with competitions before and neglected you," Jaxson said, looking at me with utmost sincerity.

He promised, "This time, I'll turn off my phone and ignore everyone. I'll spend the whole trip with you. Think of it as making up for not properly celebrating your getting into Wesmuth University, okay?"

Looking at the itinerary, I wavered.

After 18 years together, he knew every one of my weak spots. He knew exactly how to get the biggest compromise from me with the smallest effort.

Two hours in line for a box of potato rolls and one carefully planned itinerary were supposed to make me forget all the favoritism he'd shown another woman.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

My voice sounded a little hoarse as I asked, "Can you really do it? Can you keep your phone off the entire trip and spend the whole time with me only?"

His eyes lit up immediately.

Without the slightest hesitation, he raised his hand and swore, "I promise. I won't break my word."

I stared at him for a moment before taking the itinerary from him. "Fine. I'll see you at the airport next Wednesday."

Chapter 3

"Attention, passengers. Flight ZR877 to Lindrow is now boarding..."

The announcement echoed throughout the airport terminal.

I sat in the departure lounge, holding two boarding passes to Sundale.

There were still 40 minutes before takeoff, and Jaxson still hadn't shown up. I didn't call him. I simply sat there quietly, watching the flight information flicker across the departure board.

Surprisingly, I felt calm. More than that, I felt a sense of relief. It was as if this was exactly what I had expected all along.

My phone screen finally lit up. A voice call from Jaxson came in.

I answered it.

"Mira, I'm sorry!" Jaxson's anxious voice came through the receiver, accompanied by rushing wind, heavy breathing, and the blaring of car horns.

He said urgently, "I got into a minor fender bender on the ring expressway, and the other driver just won't let it go. I probably won't make this flight. You go to Sundale first. I'll deal with things here and catch the earliest flight tomorrow morning to meet you there, okay?"

He sounded sincere.

In the past, I would have immediately asked if he was hurt and repeatedly reminded him to stay safe.

But now, I listened closely to the faint background noise coming through the phone.

"Passenger Ingrid Rice, your flight to Lindrow is taking off. Please proceed to your boarding gate immediately..."

The announcement was extremely faint and almost drowned out by the windy noise he had deliberately created, but I still heard it.

"Okay. Stay safe. I'll wait for you." My voice was calm and didn't give away anything.

With that, I hung up.

I stood up, picked up my suitcase, and walked out of the domestic departures area. Following the large overhead signs, I made my way to the international departures terminal instead.

Ten minutes later, I stopped outside the boarding gate for the flight to Esdarland. Through the glass, I saw Jaxson, who had claimed he was dealing with a traffic accident on the ring expressway.

He was perfectly fine as he stood there gently adjusting the cashmere scarf around Ingrid's neck with careful, tender movements. Ingrid looked up at him, and the two of them hugged each other. After some time passed, they were still reluctant to let go.

I stood outside the slightly open door of the VIP lounge with my suitcase.

Hidden in a blind spot, I happened to see Jaxson and his friend, Hank Zeller.

Hank handed him a cup of long black and let out a scoff of disapproval. "Bro, you ditched your girlfriend and sent her to Sundale alone just to come see Ingrid off. Aren't you playing with fire?"

Jaxson didn't take the coffee. He kept his eyes on Ingrid as she repeatedly looked back toward him from the security checkpoint while casually straightening his cuff.

He responded, "Mira's sensible. She's not like Ingrid. Without me, Ingrid wouldn't even be able to find the boarding gate. Mira can take care of herself just fine. When I fly over tomorrow, I'll just buy her that limited-edition handbag she's been wanting for ages to cheer her up."

Sensible, huh?

Again, it was because I was "sensible".

Through the glass, I looked at his gentle, attentive profile.

I remembered three years earlier when I'd come down with a high fever and gone to the hospital alone for an IV drip. During that time, I'd called him. He'd said his competition was at a critical stage and he couldn't get away. He'd just told me to make sure I took good care of myself.

So, my being sensible and strong had become the perfect excuse for him to abandon me whenever he wanted and favor another woman.

The young man who had once run all over the city to buy me cold medicine finally disappeared from my heart beneath the cold lights of the airport.

I took out my phone and opened the camera, aiming it at the two of them who were gazing adoringly at each other.

Following a click, I captured that moment of deep affection.

I put away my phone and walked over to a nearby trash can. I threw away the graduation island trip itinerary along with the two first-class tickets.

"I wish you two a lifetime of happiness."

I quietly said the words to my reflection in the glass before turning around and pulling my suitcase behind me as I strode out of the airport.

I immediately called my best friend, Tamara Small.

"Tammy, I need a favor from you. Help me contact a moving company. I'm moving."

Chapter 4

It only took 40 minutes to get from the airport back to the apartment Jaxson and I had shared. Our high school had been far from home. We had rented the apartment together so we could focus on studying.

As I pushed open the door, the motion-sensor light in the entryway flicked on. Its warm glow fell across the shoe cabinet, where two pairs of matching couple's slippers sat side by side.

I walked straight into the bedroom. There, I pulled two suitcases out from under the bed and laid them open on the carpet.

Then, I calmly packed my clothes, books, and laptop.

As I packed, memories of everything we had shared kept flashing before my eyes. A photo of us at an amusement park was still stuck to the refrigerator. On the bookshelf sat the copy of "The Solitude of the Century" that I'd marked, but he had never bothered to open.

Even in the bathroom, our electric toothbrushes still hung side by side.

Everything in the apartment carried a piece of the life we'd once shared. The sweeter those memories were, the more painful reality felt now.

When I opened a drawer in the wardrobe, my hand paused.

Inside lay a gray scarf. It was the same style as the pink scarf around Ingrid's neck at the airport today.

I stared at it for three seconds before letting out a soft laugh.

So, he couldn't even be bothered to choose different gifts. His mass-produced devotion was truly something to behold.

I didn't take it. I put it back exactly where it had been.

Two hours later, both suitcases were packed to the brim.

I looked around the apartment. Half the closet was empty. Half the bookshelf was empty. Half the bottles and toiletries on the bathroom counter were gone as well.

The entire home looked as though half of it had been carved away cleanly.

I walked to the entryway and slipped the matching ring off my finger. I placed it in the center of the shoe cabinet beside the apartment key.

Next to them, I set the cover of the graduation trip itinerary that I'd torn off and brought back from the trash. Every page of the itinerary had been crossed out with a red pen.

On the inside cover, I wrote one final sentence. "May your storms finally come to an end. Jaxson, you're free now."

I took one last look at the place I'd poured my heart into for three years. The lights were still warm, but it was no longer my home.

I closed the door.

The click of the lock cut me off from everything that had come before.

Dragging my suitcases into the elevator, I finally felt the tension that had been holding me together melt away as the doors closed. A tear fell onto the back of my hand without warning.

It was the last tear I would ever shed for those 18 years.

I didn't cry because I couldn't let go. I was just mourning the youth I'd wasted on someone who never deserved it.

After seeing Ingrid off, Jaxson sat down in the airport's VIP lounge and let out a long sigh.

Watching the planes take off outside the window, he felt an overwhelming sense of relief and satisfaction. He had finally gotten rid of the troublemaker.

He snapped a photo of the terminal and posted it to his social media account that was visible only to his close friends.

He wrote, "The storm has finally passed. Now I can give my full attention to what matters."

After posting it, he leaned back on the couch and began planning tomorrow's trip to the island.

Jaxson was sure that I was still angry, but that was fine. Once he got to the island, he'd take me to the cliffside restaurant and take out the diamond ring he'd already prepared.

I loved him so much. All he had to do was sweet-talk me a little, and I would definitely forgive him.

The following evening, Jaxson landed at Fenric Airport of Sundale and headed straight for the reserved ocean-view room.

He pushed open the door and called out, "Mira, I'm here..."

Before he could finish speaking, he froze.