Chapter 1

Ethan slammed on the brakes, and the SUV came to a smooth stop at the red light.

He didn't try to persuade me otherwise, nor did he ask what I was going to buy.

Instead, he just turned around and gave me a look of pure, unbothered impatience.

"Once you’re done, call an Uber to the mountain cabin. Don't waste too much time. Chloe has a sensitive stomach, and we need to have dinner on time."

Chloe turned around from the passenger seat, her silky long hair brushing against the leather.

"Hazel, I’m so sorry. Was my music too loud? How about I go with you?"

Though she said she was sorry, her hands remained tightly gripped around her seatbelt. She hadn’t made the slightest move to unbuckle herself.

"No need. I’ll go alone."

I pushed the door open and stepped out of the car.

The second the door slammed shut, the engine roared.

Ethan hit the gas, and the SUV sped off into the distance, leaving me behind without a single look back or a word of caution.

The dust kicked up by the tires settled on the hem of my dress.

I stood under the blazing sun, squinting at the harsh light.

I’ve never liked arguing with people. I didn't in the past, and I didn't now.

This was the first time in five years that I had actively walked away from our three-person dynamic.

During my freshman year of college, I was quiet and slow to warm up to people, which left me isolated.

Ethan was the one who reached out, took my hand, and brought me into his social circle.

He said I was a quiet mouse who needed someone to look out for her.

He promised that with him around, no one would ever bully me.

Three years ago, when my dad passed away, Ethan was the one who stood by my side at the hospital.

He promised my dad that he would take care of me forever, that he would love me for the rest of his life.

I had no family left. He was supposed to be my family.

Later, Chloe came into my life, claiming she wanted to "vet" my boyfriend for me. That was how she met Ethan.

She was bubbly, artsy, and knew a lot about architecture. Soon, she and Ethan became inseparable soulmates.

Whenever the three of us went out, Ethan naturally gave the passenger seat to Chloe.

His excuse was that she got motion sickness and needed a clearer view of the road.

I was relegated to the backseat, responsible for handing them water, navigating, and staying quiet while they laughed and talked up front.

Habit is a terrifying thing. Over five years, I had actually come to accept this as normal.

I didn't walk into the mall. Instead, I turned around and walked toward the bus station.

Just as I boarded the bus heading back to the city, my phone screen lit up.

It was a text from Ethan.

"What kind of tantrum are you throwing now?"

"Chloe has been crying and blaming herself because you got off midway. You completely ruined our graduation trip."

"Take a cab here right now and apologize to her."

I don’t know when it started, but I had somehow become the one who constantly had to apologize.

I stared at the screen for a long time, my fingers tapping slowly on the keyboard.

"I’m not coming. Have fun, you two."

I hit send, powered off my phone, and closed my eyes.

As the bus rumbled along, the usual bitterness in my chest was gone.

There was only a strange, solitary peace.