Chapter 3

I promised Julia I'd go to the studio and "talk" with them.

When I pushed open the door, Edward and Susan were sitting on the carpet by the window.

Susan was leaning against Edward's shoulder, holding a book, and he was gently listening as she read aloud.

And I stood there, feeling like an intruder—like I didn't belong here at all.

I stood in the doorway, watching them for ten whole seconds.

In those ten seconds, my heart went numb and cold as stone.

This studio, the dream I built for him with every last cent I had, now stood as a witness to their love nest.

Susan was the first to notice me. She lingered on Edward's shoulder just a moment longer, making sure I caught every bit of their intimacy before finally springing back from him.

"Charlie!" She jumped up. "What are you doing here? You look awful—haven't you been resting?"

She walked over, reaching out to take my hand.

I stepped back.

She instantly froze, putting on her classic hurt expression. After all these years as friends, I could see right through her act.

Edward got to his feet.

"Charlie, hear me out." His voice was tentative, his brow furrowed—as if weighing how to begin.

I didn't say a word. I just stared at the sunflower painting hanging on the wall.

It was Edward's style, but somehow, it felt different.

His paintings had always been oppressive and somber, but this one seemed as if it had been brought to life.

In the bottom right corner, the initials S.E. were signed.

Susan. Edward. How loving.

I stared at that painting, and memories of countless late nights flashed through my mind—me holding him after he woke up from nightmares, his fingers gripping my sleeve like a frightened kid.

Back then, I really believed I was the only ray of hope he had.

But now I see it—I was just a placeholder. Someone who spent everything, only to be used and tossed aside.

"Charlie..." Edward stepped forward, reaching out for me, his voice full of urgency. "Please, don't take this the wrong way. Susan and I... we just have a connection through art.

"She's like my muse—she sparks my creativity. It actually helps with my depression, you know that. The doctors said I need positive vibes around me."

Muse.

I yanked my arm away and faced Susan, spitting out each word. "Really? My so-called best friend—do you actually think that?"

Susan's eyes went red instantly.

"Charlie..." She started crying right on cue. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry.

"I saw how much pain he was in, and I just... I just wanted to help him. We never meant to hurt you."

She was practically choking on her words now. "I was going to leave once he got better! I knew he was yours... I tried so hard to hold myself back. But feelings... they just happen!"

She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking like she was the real victim here, like I was supposed to comfort her.

Edward moved toward Sher, wanting to comfort Susan, but stopped halfway, his gaze flickering back and forth between us, caught in the middle.

I just stood there quietly, watching their performance.

Edward claimed he needed a muse, Susan said she was just trying to save him.

They acted like it was all so noble, so inevitable—like fate forced their hands.

As if betraying me was some twisted act of kindness they just couldn't help.

I pulled out my phone, opened that social media post, and held it up for them to see.

"So this 'Welcome home, my lady'—that's part of your connection through art, too?" I demanded.

Edward's face instantly went pale.

Susan's sobs started up again, even more heart-wrenching this time. "Charlie, please, just listen... he wasn't thinking straight..."

"Enough." I cut her short.

I stared right at Edward. "I gave up everything. Promotion. Savings. Everything. And in return—'a connection through art'?"

"Speak up, Edward." I stepped closer. "At least give me one real answer."

He opened his mouth, but his eyes instinctively drifted toward Susan.

Just that one glance.

But it said everything.

His answer was right there, in his eyes.

In the end, he kept quiet, head down, looking just like a kid caught doing something wrong.

That silence stung way more than any words he could've said.

Any last bit of warmth in me faded away. Suddenly, I wasn't even angry or even sad anymore.

I just felt drained, and everything felt absurd.

I stared at the studio I'd set up with my own hands.

How excited I had been. How little I knew.

I called up every friend, telling them my boyfriend was finally getting his own studio, and I could finally do something real for him.

Thinking about it now, I was stupid beyond belief.

I pulled the brand-new keys out of my bag.

Under their gaze, I walked slowly to the corner and threw the keys into the trash can—hard.

Susan flinched, stepping back in surprise. Edward just stood there, completely stunned, his lips moving but nothing came out.

I turned around and looked at them. "I'm done playing this game.

"The studio's all yours now. The keys are over there—knock yourselves out."

With that, I turned and walked out.

"Charlie!" Edward finally called out. "Where... where are you going?"

I stopped, but didn't turn around.

"Where?" I chuckle. "I'm going to find myself.

"And remind your mom to pay me back soon. Or I'll take the studio back immediately."