Chapter 4

"Hey Chloe! Long time no see. Did you come alone?"

I turned around, holding my glass of wine.

Maya was standing in front of me with a sweet smile, her makeup flawless. She was flanked by two girls from her office whom I had met at a company retreat last year.

This was an industry networking gala. I hadn't wanted to come, but my hospital needed representation.

"Yes, just me."

"What a coincidence, Ethan is here too. I think he’s over there." She pointed with her chin toward the right side of the room, her voice just loud enough for the people around us to hear.

She called him Ethan, right to my face.

The short-haired girl next to her eyed me up and down, asking with casual curiosity, "Chloe, aren't you and Ethan together anymore? How come we haven't seen you guys out lately?"

"We broke up."

"Oh?" The short-haired girl’s shocked expression lasted for about two seconds before shifting into a knowing smile. "Well, that’s a shame."

She glanced at Maya, her lips curving upward.

Maya lowered her eyes, playing the innocent bystander who had accidentally been caught in the middle.

The other girl chimed in. "To be honest, I always felt like your personalities didn't really match. You’re so quiet, and Ethan is so outgoing. Sometimes, when the gap is that big, it’s not 'opposites attract.' It’s just draining."

*Draining.*

She used the word "draining" to describe me.

I forced a smile.

"Maybe you’re right."

Maya stepped in smoothly, her voice soft. "Don't take it to heart, Chloe. They’re just talking. They don't mean anything by it. Honestly, being single is great. Sometimes it’s a relief to just be on your own."

She was wearing a jacket tonight.

An indigo windbreaker. With dark contrast stitching along the collar.

I recognized that jacket.

I had spent two hours in the mall picking it out for his birthday last year. I remembered the origami exhibit next to the fitting rooms, the three people in line ahead of me at the register, and the forest-green ribbon tied around the shopping bag.

He had said it was too big and that he wouldn't wear it.

It had hung on the third hanger on the right side of his closet.

Now, it was on Maya. It fit her perfectly. The oversized cut draped over her petite shoulders, giving her a chic, effortless look.

She noticed me looking.

"Do you like this jacket?" She looked down, brushing her sleeve with a casual air. "I bought it a while ago. I’m obsessed with this color."

"It’s indigo," I said.

"Yeah! Do you like this color too?"

"I used to see one exactly like it in Ethan’s closet. The collar, the stitching, the color—identical."

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second.

"Really? I guess it’s a popular style then."

The two girls next to her exchanged a look.

I said nothing more.

Just then, Ethan walked over, holding a drink. When he saw me, his steps slowed down for a beat before he adjusted his pace and walked up to Maya's side.

"Chloe," he said, giving me a polite nod, treating me like a distant acquaintance from the industry.

I nodded back just as politely.

Maya naturally slid her hand through his arm.

A few people nearby were watching.

I turned to leave.

Behind me, the short-haired girl whispered loud enough for me to hear: "Honestly, some people only realize what they had after they lose it. But once you’re gone, you’re gone."

They giggled.

I walked to a quiet corner of the hall and set my wine glass down. My hands felt icy.

My phone buzzed. It was a text from Ethan.

*Don't go around talking about our private business.*

I replied: *What did I say?*

*Why did you bring up the jacket in my closet to Maya? What are you trying to do?*

*Did you give her that jacket?*

He didn't reply.

A minute later, he texted: *Can you please stop? Acting like this just makes you look like a bitter, desperate ex.*

*A bitter, desperate ex.*

Just four days ago, he was begging me to give him a chance. Today, I was a desperate ex.

I pocketed my phone and headed for the exit.

As I passed the corner of the hallway, I heard Maya and the other two girls talking. They weren't even trying to lower their voices; they were laughing.

"The way she looked at my jacket was so creepy."

"Who cares about her? They’re broken up, and she’s still crying over a piece of clothing."

"I think she just can't let go. What can you do when someone is that obsessed?"

Maya’s voice was soft. "I didn't want things to be like this, but Ethan told me she’s been really emotionally unstable lately. He told me to avoid triggering her."

*Emotionally unstable.*

He told Maya that I was emotionally unstable.

I stood around the corner, keeping silent. I pressed my back against the wall, my knuckles white as I gripped my phone, then slowly let go.

I walked out of the building and called an Uber. Once I got in and closed the door, the driver asked where I was going.

I gave him Harper’s address.

Two blocks later, my phone rang. It was Harper.

"Hey, what's wrong? Your voice sounds off."

"I just ran into them."

"Ethan and Maya?"

"Yeah."

"She was wearing the jacket I bought him."

Silence stretched over the line for five seconds.

"Chloe, get over here right now. Don't think about anything else."

"Okay," I said.

As the city lights blurred past the window, Harper added one more thing: "You’ve played nice for long enough. Stop letting them walk all over you."