Chapter 2
I asked Edward if he wanted to grab some ice cream after school.
I just wanted to sit down and really talk things out with him about Chloe.
He said yes.
I'd been waiting all day for school to finally end, but Chloe wasted no time; she immediately asked Edward to help her with some homework.
I was starting to get pissed.
"He's my boyfriend, okay? You can't just keep hogging him, and we already made plans for today."
Chloe shot me a smug little smirk, then switched to her innocent, wounded routine.
"Sorry, Sophie. I'm just super eager to learn, so I want to get as much help from Edward as I can," she said.
Edward replied coldly, "Sophie, you go first. I'll come find you after I finish explaining this problem to Chloe."
My body involuntarily shuddered.
"No, you're coming with me right now," I demanded.
Edward suddenly snapped, "I told you, just go wait for me at the place! How long can it possibly take to explain one problem?"
Chloe immediately put on her innocent act.
"Don't fight. If you two already have plans, just go ahead. I'll try to figure this out myself," she said.
Edward glanced at Chloe.
"It's fine, just ignore her. I spoiled her way too much before, that's why she's turned into such a spoiled brat," Edward said.
Chloe flashed a triumphant grin at me, clearly enjoying the moment.
My body trembled again, and a wave of disappointment crashed over me.
I stormed off without another word.
Once I got to the hallway, I couldn't hold back anymore; tears just started streaming down my face.
I bit down hard on my hand, desperate to keep myself from sobbing out loud.
Why?
How did everything fall apart just because Chloe came into the picture?
Were all those good times just a lie?
I kept replaying those questions in my head as I walked down the hallway.
My mind was in a haze as I walked through an alley, totally oblivious to the motorcycle that suddenly sped out from the side and slammed into me. The next thing I knew, I was knocked to the ground.
Right after, a fierce pain shot through my thigh. I could tell my leg was broken.
But somehow, the ache in my heart was even worse.
The motorcycle owner was really responsible; he took me straight to the hospital.
When he learned my parents were working out of town, he even helped me handle all the hospital admission paperwork.
That night, Edward came to see me, and he couldn't stop griping.
"See what happens the one time I don't walk with you? You get yourself into trouble.
"Are you really that helpless now? Can't you even look after yourself?" he added.
Back when we first started dating, even if I just got a tiny scratch from a pen, Edward would fuss over me and feel bad.
But now, with my leg broken, all he did was complain.
Was this what a guy who had fallen out of love looked like?
Chloe's call came in.
She was practically sobbing.
"Edward, my house is on fire! Can you come help me?"
Edward instantly tensed up and glanced at me.
"You're good, right?" he asked.
My eyes were rimmed with tears.
"Shouldn't she be calling the fire department for something like this?
"Why is she asking you for help?" I pressed.
Edward scoffed, "Every extra pair of hands helps, right?"
"But it's dangerous. I really don't want you to go."
"She's a classmate, and since she asked for help, I can't just ignore her."
"But my parents won't be here until tomorrow... I need someone to help me get to the bathroom tonight."
"I'll come back later," Edward said, barely glancing at me.
He tossed out that last line and walked off without looking back.
I was in so much pain, I couldn't sleep at all that night.
Edward didn't bother to show up until the next afternoon.
He started explaining why he hadn't come last night.
"Chloe's whole house burned down. There was just so much to deal with, so..." he said.
I cut him off, barely looking at him. "You don't have to explain. I get it."
Last night, Chloe posted on her social media a photo of Edward cooking in the kitchen.
[How could I meet someone this amazing? He not only helps me with my studies, but when my house caught fire, he brought me and my parents to his villa. It's so big and beautiful!]
[And now he's cooking for me. I'm obsessed!]
Half an hour later, Chloe posted again.
A shot of the meal Edward cooked, loaded with veggies and meat, looking super fancy.
[I can't believe this is his very first time cooking; it's absolutely delicious!!!]
Edward started learning to cook about half a year ago, right when we first got together.
He once told me, "You're gonna be the first person to ever try my cooking."
He forgot all about it.
Maybe seeing how disappointed I looked, Edward offered an apology. "Sorry, Sophie. I was a little out of line yesterday."
I turned my head away, avoiding Edward's gaze.
"Don't be like that, okay? I'm just trying to be a good person..." he said.
I stayed silent, trying to act like nothing was wrong.
But my tears betrayed me, quietly showing just how hurt I was.
Edward reached out to wipe my tears, but I pushed his hand away.