Chapter 2

I loved him so much that I couldn't live without him.

I passed my phone to Evelyn.

She froze when she saw the photo.

"Isn't that Allen, your mom's best friend?"

"Rayden... with her?"

Her words got stuck in her throat, her face mirroring my own shock and disgust.

I stated flatly, "Yeah, they're together now."

Evelyn drew in a sharp breath, then finally let out a curse.

"Damn, does this guy have some kind of mother complex?"

She looked at me, her eyes filled with concern.

"Wade, are you... okay?"

I shook my head and shoved the teddy bear's head deep into the trash can.

"I'm fine."

"Honestly, I feel like the last five years were just one big joke."

For him, I learned to cook all his favorite dishes, even though I absolutely hated being in the kitchen.

For him, I tried to please his mother, who looked down on everyone, enduring her constant criticism and contempt again and again.

For him, I gave up a big promotion overseas, just to stick around for him.

I thought he appreciated everything I did for him.

I thought our love could survive anything.

In the end, I lost to a woman who was old enough to be his mother.

"We're not getting back together."

I brushed my hands off, determination in my voice.

"This time, we're really done for good."

Evelyn saw my eyes were all red and didn't try to convince me otherwise.

She walked over and hugged me.

"It's better this way."

"That scumbag isn't worth it."

"Girl, let's hit the town and forget all about that creep."

Just then, my phone started ringing.

It was Rayden.

I hung up on him without a second thought.

He tried calling again.

I hit decline again.

After a few more calls, he finally sent me a text.

[Wade, don't be mad, okay? Just hear me out.]

[What happened with her was just a mistake. You're the one I really love.]

[Just wait for me, I'll be there soon.]

I stared at that message, and all I could think was how ridiculous it sounded.

Accident? Really?

You two were accidently cuddled up, laughing together like you're some lovesick couple?

And it was just a coincidence my friend saw you together more than once?

I blocked him on everything.

Then I called the front desk.

"Hello, security? If a guy named Rayden Andrade tries to come up, just stop him. Tell him if he bothers me again, I'll call the cops."

The next day, my mother called.

"Wade, come home for dinner tonight. I made your favorite corn and beef soup."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Mom, why the sudden dinner invite?"

"Allen said you haven't been home in ages and told me I should pay more attention to you."

Allen.

Allen.

I clenched my phone tight in my hand.

My heart felt like it was being crushed by an invisible fist, heavy and aching.

How dare she?

Sleeping with my boyfriend, then turning around and playing the perfect elder in front of my mother, acting all caring and loving.

"Oh, really?"

I pulled my lips into a faint smile, my voice emotionless.

"Well, thanks to Allen for her concern."

"I've got work tonight, so I'm not coming home."

"What could possibly be more important than coming home for dinner?"

Her tone was a bit displeased.

"You're getting more and more inconsiderate."

"Where's Rayden? Did he piss you off again? Don't act like a kid, okay? Rayden's actually a really decent guy."

I took a deep breath, fighting back the bitterness in my throat.

"Mom, I broke up with him."

There was a long, heavy silence on the other end.

After a long silence, my mother finally asked, sounding cautious, "Are you two just having another spat? Wade, no couple holds a grudge overnight, you know..."

"It's not just some fight," I cut her off.

"We're really over. Seriously, don't ever mention him to me again."

After hanging up, I sank into the couch, feeling cold all over.

See?

Even my own mother thought I was just being dramatic.

It was all my fault.

What did Rayden do to brainwash them so hard?

Later that evening, the doorbell rang.

I figured it was Evelyn, so I just opened the door without even checking the peephole.

But instead of Evelyn, it was Rayden's mother, Sofia, standing at the door.

She'd never been fond of me, but now she was wearing a polite smile.

"Wade, I hope I'm not disturbing you."

She walked right in, carrying a bunch of health supplements I'd never even seen before.

Her gaze swept across the empty entryway, where Rayden's shoes had once been neatly placed.

Her gaze faltered for a second.