Chapter 1

Selah posted on her feed on my birthday.

"I hope he stays safe and happy every year!"

I thought those words were meant for me.

That was until her first love, Jace, commented underneath.

"Thank you, my Selah."

Later, I shared their post and offered my blessings.

Selah called me immediately, her voice sharp with anger.

"What are you posting? Are you still not done being jealous?"

In the background, I could hear Jace's affected, weak voice.

"Nate must be upset because of me..."

No.

I didn't care anymore.

1.

"Nate? Open the door right now!"

It was two in the morning when Selah started shouting outside.

If this were before, I would have rushed to open it in a heartbeat.

But now, it didn't matter.

I ignored her and went back to sleep.

The knocking lasted a little longer before finally fading away.

The next morning, I woke up naturally.

After enjoying a quiet breakfast, I planned to take a walk in the park.

But as soon as I opened the door, I saw Selah standing there, her face pale with rage.

"Is there something wrong with your ears?"

"Did you not hear me calling you last night?"

I rubbed my ear casually and shot back.

"I didn't hear a thing."

"You!"

Selah glared at me, her eyes flaring.

I ignored her and tried to walk past, but she grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I frowned and shook her off.

I immediately went to the bathroom and scrubbed my arm where she had touched me.

It felt like I had been touched by something filthy.

Selah's face turned black as she watched me.

I expected her to start screaming.

Surprisingly, she didn't. She just told me to come eat.

"I bought breakfast on my way back. Your favorite breakfast sliders!"

I glanced at the sliders on the table. They looked cold and had bits of dirt on the packaging.

A mocking smile touched my lips.

She really was a terrible liar.

Those sliders were meant for her precious Jace.

I had seen Jace's post yesterday.

It was a short video.

A woman was seen taking care of him in his hospital room.

Even though her face wasn't shown, I recognized the bracelet on her wrist. It was Selah's.

In the video, some sliders had fallen on the floor.

Selah had told him not to eat them.

"They're dirty now. You'll get a stomach ache."

She was so worried about her first love's health.

But when it came to me, she didn't care at all. She even lied, saying she bought them specifically for me.

Seeing me standing still, she prompted me again.

"Eat up!"

"Didn't you say these were your favorite?"

They used to be. But no matter how much I liked them, I wouldn't eat dirty, overnight leftovers.

"Keep the 'good stuff' for yourself."

I left those words behind and walked out.

Selah stood there, stunned.

In the past, I loved her, so I was always at her beck and call.

I even softened my voice when I spoke to her, afraid she might think I was being rude.

And what did I get in return?

Cold indifference.

She never cared.

When I returned from the park, Selah was actually doing laundry.

She never did housework. This was a miracle.

"You're back?"

She initiated the conversation.

I didn't respond. I didn't want to.

She snapped.

"Nate? Are you really deaf now?"

"Do I need to take you to the clinic to get your ears checked?"

Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.

But I could be even more sarcastic.

"No need. You're already busy enough taking Jace to the hospital."

Selah's expression shifted, looking uncomfortable. Still, she tried to justify it.

"He's just a friend."

"Is it a crime to visit a sick friend?"

"You, on the other hand, are being so petty and jealous! So what if I missed your birthday? Stop acting like a lunatic!"