Chapter 3

Over eight years, Claire didn't post that frequently.

But every single entry was a precision strike to my most vulnerable spots.

I read slowly. It took me all night.

It felt like a dull knife grinding against my heart, over and over, until dawn.

Eventually, it was like exposure therapy—some of the words stopped hurting.

Until I scrolled back to seven years ago.

And fell into a whole new layer of hell.

August 15th.

I knew this date better than anyone.

It was our anniversary.

But the post she made that day wasn't about me.

It was about someone else.

"I wish you happiness, even if it costs me a lifetime of misery."

My mind went completely blank.

It took me a long time to remember.

That day wasn't just our anniversary. It was the day Claire and Julian broke up.

That was the day Julian flew overseas to chase his dreams.

And it was that very night.

Claire stumbled into my room, dead drunk.

She said:

"Mason, maybe we should give it a try."

The past was as clear as if it happened yesterday.

But looking back now, all that was left was a knife twisting in my chest.