Chapter 1

When I arrived at Riley Lawson's place, she opened the door with sleepy, half-awake eyes.

I stood in the doorway and said, "We're breaking up."

She froze for a moment and replied, "Baby, what did I do wrong this time?"

"You didn't answer my call," I said.

She reached for my hand and tried to shake it the way she always did when she wanted to act cute.

Then she said, "Come on, you know me. I stayed up late gaming with my friends last night. I slept in and didn't hear it. As an apology, let me get dressed, and we'll go to your favorite restaurant, okay?"

Seven years together, and she still thought I was joking.

I pulled my hand away and said coldly, "No need. I'm leaving."

She had never taken me seriously.

If that was how it was, then I didn't want her anymore.

*****

"Just because I missed your call this morning?" Riley asked, confused, grabbing my wrist. "Baby, don't make a scene, okay?"

"I swear I didn't do it on purpose. I bought a new game yesterday and was up late playing. I told you about it, remember?" she added.

I yanked my hand away and said coldly, "I don't want to talk about it anymore. Let go."

Riley wouldn't give up and continued, "You don't like that restaurant anymore? Then let's try somewhere else. How about some international food? There's a new place that just opened at the mall. Plus, there's a net café right next door."

I looked at Riley and replied, "I'm just not into any of that anymore."

Riley froze.

Just then, Ryan Chase shuffled out of the guest room in his baggy pajamas and asked, "Riley, what's going on? You guys are so loud and woke me up."

I looked at Ryan, who'd just woken up, and couldn't help but laugh.

This was Riley's so-called best friend—a guy, of course.

He was also the one who sent me that suggestive pic, making it look like he and Riley had spent the night together.

Ryan strolled over, flashing a cheeky grin, and said, "Charles Monroe, what's all the drama about?"

Riley rubbed her temples and answered, "He's just throwing a fit because I missed his call."

Ryan's eyes went wide, and he rushed over, grabbing my wrist, looking earnest.

"Riley and I were gaming all night. She seriously didn't mean to miss your call. The game dropped, and I got way too into it, so I dragged her into an all-nighter. Don't get mad at her. It wasn't on purpose," Ryan explained.

"We're not even that close," I said, pulling my hand back.

Then I turned to Riley and asked, "Did you change the code?"

Riley frowned, clearly confused.

I repeated, "Riley, you changed the code on your door. I can't get in anymore."

Riley shook her head and said, "No way, it's always been our anniversary date."

I glanced over at Ryan, who was standing right next to me.

He chimed in, "Riley, you had that party a few days ago, and most of your friends didn't know Charles, so I changed the door code myself.

"It's not a big deal. You can switch it back. Charles is making this way bigger than it needs to be."

Riley let out a sigh and looked at Ryan.

"Ryan, Charles isn't as easygoing as you. He didn't have the best upbringing, so it's normal for him to get hung up on things like this. Just say sorry to him," she said, rubbing her temples, looking tired.

I let out a mocking laugh and stepped back. Then I sneered, "No need. I could never be as easygoing as your friends. None of them even know who I am, but everyone knows how tight you and Ryan are.

"He can waltz into your place with his games, crash here whenever he wants, and even change your door code. So why don't you two move in together, get married, and I'll show up to toast at your wedding? Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Riley frowned, stepping forward and unconsciously putting herself between Ryan and me.

Then she replied, "Charles, you're being ridiculous. Ryan and I have been friends for years. If anything were going to happen between us, it would've happened ages ago. Why are you making such a scene?

"We gamed too late last night, and there were no cabs. I couldn't send him home in the middle of the night, could I? He slept in the guest room, and that's all.

"Don't make this into such a big deal. Ryan is right. It's just a code, and you can change it back."

The words stung more than I wanted to admit.

I forced down the sour feeling in my chest and fixed my gaze on Riley. "So you do know Ryan is a guy," I said.

Riley froze.

I didn't hesitate. I turned and walked out, not once looking back.

Ryan called out, "Riley, aren't you going to go after him? He's really pissed."

"It's fine. We're almost engaged anyway. He's throwing a fit. He'll cool off soon. It's not a big deal," Riley said.

Her voice was quiet, but it stung more than anything.

But she had no idea I was already getting my paperwork together to move abroad.

I wasn't turning back.

Back at my shared apartment, I started tossing my things into a suitcase.

Hearing me moving around, my roommate came out of his room and asked, "Charles, are you moving in with your girlfriend already? Are you not renewing the lease? Well, you two have been together forever. Wish you two all the best."

Suddenly, I felt a bit lost.

Everyone knew how close Riley and I were. I'd even told my roommate I'd move in with her when the lease ended.

Everyone assumed we'd end up married.

My hand froze for a second, and then I said, "No, we broke up."

My roommate was shocked and asked, "Why? You and Riley were the couple everyone looked up to in college. What happened?"

"I don't love her anymore," I said flatly.

My roommate looked baffled and pressed, "It doesn't add up. Riley is beautiful, and she treats you well. She's always remembering what you like, goes with you to concerts and art exhibits, and pretty much does whatever you ask.

"That time when you had a fever, and I wasn't around, she showed up in the middle of the night, pouring rain and all, to take care of you.

"She was just asking me if there's anything you've been into lately. We all envy you, man. How could you suddenly not like her anymore?"

I asked myself the same question.

Maybe it was because the Riley he talked about was the one from back then.

She used to put her whole heart into loving me. And she was always soft and caring.

She was not the girlfriend who'd side with her so-called best guy friend and say I was being dramatic.

It was that simple.

I replied with a wry smile, "Maybe it's because she didn't pick up when I called this morning."

My roommate saw I didn't want to talk and sighed, dropping the subject.

After a while, he showed me his phone, almost tiptoeing around the topic as he asked, "Is this about Ryan?"

He pulled up his social feed and saw Ryan's latest post, photos of him and Riley gaming together.

Right in the center was a shot of the two of them sitting super close, Riley leaning on Ryan's shoulder. Both had controllers in hand, laughing like they didn't have a care in the world.

The rest of the photos were packed with all their wins and top scores, level clears, and leaderboard ranks. They were obviously crushing it.

The comments were full of praise from Riley's friends: [Damn it. Ryan, you're a beast. That clear speed is insane.]

[Only Riley can keep up with Ryan. I still haven't even beaten the first boss. Ryan, when are you gonna carry me? Or maybe Riley can carry me instead.]

[Am I the only one who thinks Ryan and Riley are both insanely good-looking? They're like a power couple.]

Without knowing any better, it could be assumed that Ryan and Riley had been together for seven years and were about to get engaged.

I finished packing my suitcase, still silent.

Then my roommate started ranting at the comments: [Seriously, is Riley out of her mind? Ryan posts all these suggestive pics, and she doesn't even notice? And his friends are all rooting for the two of them? Where does that leave Charles?]

"The console they're playing on? I gave it to Riley for her birthday," I said, my voice steady. "And just the night before last, she promised me she wouldn't cross any lines."

"I get it," my roommate said, shooting me a worried look. "Honestly, breaking up with a girl like that is probably for the best. But Charles, your lease is up. Where are you gonna stay now?"

"I'll stay with a relative for a while. Since I'm quitting my job anyway, I might as well go abroad to further my studies," I said, grinning at him. "Don't worry about me. With my skills, I can land any job I want."

My roommate replied, "True. You only took that job because of Riley. We all thought you'd keep pursuing your research. Everyone knows how talented you are. Take care of yourself, alright? If you ever need anything, call me. We will always have your back."

"Thanks, man," I replied with a nod.

Just then, Riley sent me a message: [Baby, are you feeling any better? I ordered you coffee. Please don't stay mad at me, okay?]

I stared at her message for a long time, my heart cold. Then I blocked her and deleted her everywhere.