Chapter 3

3

After he finished shouting, he turned and stormed into his study. He slammed the door so hard the walls shook.

Ever since Vivian came back a year ago, we had been stuck in this cycle of endless fighting.

Whenever things got heated, Grant would lock himself in his study and tell me to calm down.

And I always did. I would push aside my anger and bring him a glass of warm milk. Then I would massage his shoulders.

That was how I used to apologize, even when I wasn't the one who was wrong.

But this time, I didn't reach for the milk. I quietly packed my things, shut the front door, and left.

I dragged my suitcase down the street alone.

A young couple walked toward me, laughing and flirting.

The girl screamed playfully at a bug, and the boy immediately pulled her into his arms.

He held her tight and whispered sweet things to comfort her.

For a moment, I remembered the first time I met Grant.

I was walking home from my night shift job when a group of drunks blocked my way.

There was no one else around. They grabbed my phone before I could call the police.

I was backed into a corner, praying for a miracle.

God must have heard me, because Grant appeared like a hero in a movie.

He grabbed my hand and we ran until we were safe.

In that moment, he became my entire world.

From then on, my eyes never left him.

I knew he had a childhood sweetheart. Everyone at school said they were a match made in heaven.

So, I buried my feelings deep inside.

But I forgot that when you love someone, your eyes give you away.

That's probably why Grant proposed after Vivian left. He knew I was already obsessed with him.

My logic told me the proposal was just a rebound move.

But I was too blinded by hope to care. I thought I could finally have the man of my dreams.

Refusing him was impossible for me back then.

We actually had some good times during those first two years.

Grant was a decent partner then. He checked in with me, bought me gifts, and stayed by my side when I was sick.

I almost forgot Vivian even existed. I thought he really loved me.

But then she came back a year ago, and my perfect bubble burst.

I realized that compared to Vivian, I was completely disposable.

One phone call from her was all it took for Grant to drop everything and run to her side.

Every broken promise and every time he abandoned me slowly woke me up.

I was never the one he loved.

Our relationship was already dead.

But just as I was ready to leave, I found out I was pregnant.

I thought a baby would finally make us a real family. I thought he'd finally accept me and let go of Vivian.

Reality gave me a brutal slap across the face instead.

He didn't care about the baby at all.

If he did, he wouldn't have left his pregnant girlfriend alone. He wouldn't have let Vivian hang up on my cry for help.

And he certainly wouldn't have forgotten to ask why I called in the first place.

Unrequited love is just a losing game.

At least I'm getting out now before it's too late.