Chapter 3

Jonathan embarrassed me in front of everyone, not caring at all about how I'd keep my head up after this.

"Mr. Reed, you should teach your staff to show some respect in the workplace, and not get too chummy," I shot back.

Wanda's attitude was so disgusting.

Jonathan's breath caught. Then he stepped closer, leaning in and lowering his voice. "Don't embarrass Wanda. I can't bear to touch you, but your gossiping staff? I can deal with them any way I want," he warned.

There was a time when he'd lean in close, murmuring words of love right by my ear.

Now, when he spoke, it was only to threaten me.

He used eight years of love to manipulate me effortlessly.

I couldn't gamble my team's future.

So I lowered my head and said, "I'm sorry, Wanda."

The meeting was canceled, and Jonathan shielded Wanda as he led her out with effortless grace.

I sent my guilt-ridden team away and stayed behind to tidy up the documents.

It wasn't until I saw a water stain spreading across the papers that I realized I was already crying.

I thought I was done with tears.

*****

In our class group chat, everyone was planning our first reunion since graduation.

Jonathan never responded. He was always so busy, so I figured he wouldn't have time to come.

Then I decided to go, hoping to see some familiar faces and take my mind off things.

We made a reservation at a restaurant I'd always wanted to try, but Jonathan could never make time for it before.

With the same group of friends, somehow every conversation always ended up about Jonathan.

"You and Jonathan were a famous couple back in school, and you even worked at the same company after graduation. Are you two married now?" someone asked.

"You two really seemed perfect together. Just yesterday, I saw him post a photo on his social media. It captured your backs when you were stargazing up on the mountain. So, why didn't he come with you?" another friend chimed in.

I opened Jonathan's social media feed, but there was nothing there.

It seemed like he'd hidden his posts from me.

I was just about to tell everyone we'd broken up when one of my classmates suddenly stood up and pointed out the window.

He said, "There he is. I knew it. With how glued together you two were back in college, there was no way he'd miss this."

Outside the window, Jonathan was wearing the white hoodie I'd bought him, his expression warm and tender.

For a moment, it felt like I was back in that summer when we were crazy in love.

But then, I saw Wanda following right behind him.

They were in matching hoodies, looking every bit the picture-perfect college couple.

The bandage on Wanda's arm was gone. Her wound had already healed up.

Jonathan looked clueless about the reunion. He opened the door for Wanda, speaking gently, "I cleared my schedule just to meet your friends today."

The moment Jonathan saw me, he froze, his expression evasive.

He tried to act like he didn't see me, but one of our old classmates called out, "Jonathan, over here. Wait... Who's this with you?"

Everyone's attention shifted to the two of them.

The girls at the next table, who looked like college students, were staring, too.

Jonathan stared at me through the crowd, as if he wanted to say something.

But Wanda, her cheeks burning red, tugged at his sleeve and murmured, "My friends are all here. Can you not make me look bad?"

He pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, and then seemed to make up his mind.

He gave me one last, apologetic glance before turning away, unable to look at me again.

"My girlfriend, Wanda Monroe," Jonathan said.

When did Jonathan start ignoring how I felt?

Whether at work or among friends, in our shared circle, he kept choosing Wanda over me.

I watched Jonathan greet everyone with Wanda by his side. Other people all greeted them while watching my reaction.

I felt I really shouldn't be here.

A light drizzle was falling outside.

I stood under the awning, leaning out to hail a cab.

Suddenly, a pair of hands pulled me back.

Jonathan looked down, avoiding eye contact as he said, "It's raining. Let me give you a ride home."

"Your girlfriend's still inside. Don't bother," I replied.

He looked a little impatient, his expression growing tense.

"Wanda's inside talking with her friends. I'll pick her up later. Let me drive you home first," Jonathan said.

He offered no explanation. I didn't need an explanation either.

On the ride, I gazed out the window, listening to his halting words.

Jonathan said, "After I fired Wanda, things haven't been easy for her. I feel guilty, so I've been trying to help her out.

"I said that in front of her friends so she wouldn't feel embarrassed. Don't worry. Once we get married and send out the invitations, everyone will understand.

"When things settle down, I'll arrange for our parents to meet. Then..."

"Jonathan," I cut him off. "If you'd known she'd have such a rough time, would you still have made the same choice?"

All I got in response was his silence.

Jonathan regretted picking me in the first place.

I didn't ask any more. I just closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.

In a daze, I heard Jonathan let out a sigh. "No matter what happens, I won't give up on you," Jonathan murmured.

But love demanded a firm, exclusive choice.

Jonathan wasn't the kind of person who could do that.