Chapter 1

On the fifth anniversary of our relationship, Ethan stood me up.

He didn't answer my calls and ignored my SnapChat messages.

I was starting to worry that something might have happened to him. Then a message popped up in our group chat.

It was from Melissa.

"My car broke down on the highway, but luckily Ethan came to save me! And we had some amazing sushi too."

The photo showed a table full of premium sashimi, along with a hand peeling shrimp.

That hand was wearing the watch I'd spent half a month's salary on for Ethan's birthday last month.

I actually laughed out loud.

The rage burning in my chest instantly transformed into an indescribable disgust the moment I saw that photo.

I directly tagged Ethan in the group chat. "So this is what you meant by 'urgent meeting at the office and need to work overtime'?"

The group chat immediately went silent.

A full five minutes passed before Ethan slowly replied in the group. "Melissa's car broke down on the road. How unsafe is that for a girl alone at night? I happened to be nearby, so I went to help her out. Do you really need to be this passive-aggressive?"

I was truly speechless.

"Nearby? Your office is in the east district, and she's on the western ring highway. You call that nearby?" I called out his lie without mercy in the group chat. "Today is our fifth anniversary. Did you forget?"

Before Ethan could respond, Melissa jumped in first.

"Stella, I'm so sorry! I really didn't know today was your anniversary. It's all my fault for being such a tomboy and not paying attention to these details. Don't be mad at Etha. If you need to blame someone, blame me."

Her practiced performance as the innocent third party directly triggered Ethan's protective instincts.

Ethan replied instantly. "Why are you taking it out on her? Melissa just sees me as a good friend. When a friend's in trouble, shouldn't I help? Can you please stop being so petty about everything? You're so dramatic!"

Ethan's pack of friends in the group started chiming in too.

"Exactly, Stella. Ethan just went to help out. It's not that big a deal."

"Always going on about anniversaries. Ethan works so hard every day, how's he supposed to remember?"

"Melissa's just got that buddy personality. Don't overthink it, Stella."

Looking at all these messages defending him on my screen, I suddenly felt utterly ridiculous.

Five years of my life. I'd given up better job opportunities for him.

I'd moved with him from a cramped rental to our current small apartment, cooking and doing his laundry every day after work no matter how exhausted I was.

And this is what I got in return. Him peeling shrimp for another woman on our important anniversary, then calling me dramatic in front of everyone.

In the past, I would have cried from feeling so wronged, then frantically called him demanding an explanation, ultimately comforting myself through the cold war that followed.

But now, I just felt tired. Completely and utterly dead inside.

I called over the server and calmly paid the bill.

Then I typed in the group chat. "Fine. Go ahead and enjoy your time with your good buddy."

"Ethan, we're done."

After sending that message, I didn't wait for any response. I left the group chat immediately.