Chapter 2

When our eyes met, Stefan suddenly asked, "Why aren't you sitting in the front? You used to always sit there."

I pointed at the sticker on the passenger seat that said, "Phoebe's Throne."

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "The front seat hasn't been mine a long time ago."

I remembered that huge downpour over two months ago when Stefan came to pick me up from work.

I pulled open the passenger door, ready to get in.

But Phoebe was already sitting there, snacking on beef jerky. She flashed me a sweet smile.

I froze, feeling like I'd been plunged into an ice bath.

Stefan tossed out, "It doesn't matter where you sit. Phoebe gets carsick, so let her have the front."

After that, I straight-up yanked Phoebe out of the car and left her drenched in the pouring rain.

Stefan gave me the cold shoulder for half a month because of it.

It wasn't until my mom got sick that I finally backed down.

From then on, the passenger seat was officially Phoebe's.

Stefan chuckled, amused by my answer.

It was like he'd gotten the response he was hoping for.

He arched an eyebrow, a teasing spark in his eyes.

With a playful tone, he said, "Roxanne, you don't have to act like you're totally cool with it.

"If you care, you care. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

"Or are you backing off so I'll pay more attention to you?"

I gave him a faint smile. "I'm not thinking that way. Honestly, it doesn't matter to me anymore."

Then I got out of the car and walked away without looking back, totally missing how pissed off Stefan looked right then.

*****

I joined a foreign language class.

After class, I checked in on my mom at the hospital.

When everything was done, I didn't hurry home to wait around for Stefan like I always used to.

Instead, I met up with some friends and finally got my nails done, something I'd been wanting forever.

We enjoyed some barbecue, then hit up a bar and partied late into the night.

That was when it hit me that ever since I started dating Stefan, I hadn't let loose and had this much fun in forever.

He always hated when I came home late, and I'd gotten used to waiting up for him every night.

But now, it felt like he wasn't even a factor in my life anymore.

So for once, I stayed out until two in the morning before heading home.

When I walked in, Stefan was sitting on the couch, his expression dark and brooding.

My favorite cake was sitting on the coffee table.

The cream had started to melt. It must've been sitting out for ages.

He looked up and checked the time when he saw me.

He said coldly, "Roxanne, are you throwing a tantrum again? Do you think it's okay to come home this late?

"Didn't you see all the texts I sent? Why didn't you bother to reply?"

I let out a big yawn, lazily waved my phone at him. "Battery's dead."

I'd actually seen his messages this afternoon, but I just didn't want to revolve around him anymore.

For years, it was like my eyes were glued to him.

I'd been neglecting myself for way too long.

Now that I'd finally woken up, I was done compromising myself.

As I was about to leave, Stefan blocked my way.

He caught a whiff of alcohol from me and frowned.

Stefan asked, "Why are you drinking? Are you upset?"

I shook my head, thinking about those male models and their six-pack abs, fighting off sleepiness as I replied, "I had too much fun with my girlfriends, so I had a few drinks."

He clearly didn't buy it, but kept talking anyway.

Stefan said, "Today was Phoebe's birthday. I had no choice but to show up for appearances. You know she's got depression and can't take any emotional shocks.

"I already made her delete that post on her social media. Don't be upset, okay?

"She doesn't mean any harm. She's just a little naive."

I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open, just nodding along.

I mumbled, "Yeah, I believe you."

I had seen Phoebe's post on her social media too.

It was a shot of Stefan in an apron, making her a cake.

All these years together, he'd never once cooked for me.

On my last birthday, I kept pestering him for a cake.

He simply gave me a cold look and said, "Roxanne, must you be so childish? I'm busy. Don't bother me with trivial stuff like this."

I spent eight years trying to get that kind of special treatment that he gave to Phoebe.

In my previous life, that was when I totally lost my mind and turned into a lunatic.

I ended up accidentally injuring Stefan, and then exposed Phoebe online, causing a massive uproar.

It sent her depression spiraling, and she threatened to jump off a building more than once.

That was when Stefan went all out to ruin me.

He hired the top lawyer in town and sued me for assault and defamation.

He forced me to publicly apologize to Phoebe.

My eyes were red with disappointment as I stared him down, refusing to back down no matter what.