Chapter 2

2.

Growing up, my parents never seemed to have time for me.

They skipped every parent-teacher conference, every recital. My classmates used to joke that I was an orphan with living parents.

Eventually, I got used to being alone. Even the people who were supposed to love me most often forgot I existed.

Then I met Jasper.

He was like a sudden burst of sunlight in my gray world.

I remember one time in college when I got my period unexpectedly. I didn't have any friends to help me. He noticed my distress and silently handed me a pack of tissues.

Even though I still ended up with a stain on my jeans, I never forgot that quiet act of kindness.

Back then, I truly believed we would spend the rest of our lives together.

But then Tessa came back.

Everything changed.

They were childhood sweethearts in every sense but the title. They grew up together. They could share an entire conversation with just a look.

And I was always the outsider.

She was at every single one of our dates.

Even when I planned a romantic birthday trip for just the two of us, he was constantly checking his phone for Tessa.

I spent weeks trying to get tickets to a sold-out concert for my birthday. He took one look at them and said:

"Tessa loves this band too. Let's bring her along next time. "

I slammed my lightstick onto the floor. "Are you here to celebrate my birthday, or are you here as a scout for your best friend? "

He got defensive. "We're friends, Rosie. What's the big deal about taking her to a concert? "

"What's the big deal? " I echoed.

"Why is she involved in everything we do? You remember her favorite foods but forget mine. You know her clothing size but not my birthday. Jasper, who is actually your girlfriend? "

I thought if I explained how much it hurt, he would understand. I thought he would change.

Instead, he got angrier. He pointed a finger at me and shouted.

"You've never had friends in your entire life, so of course you don't understand loyalty! There's a reason you're always alone! "

That one sentence stabbed me in the most vulnerable part of my soul.

He knew my past. He knew my insecurities. And he used them as a weapon.

From that moment on, I started pulling my heart back.

It wasn't that I stopped loving him instantly. It was just that I realized my love would never be reciprocated.

To him, I was just being difficult. I was just embarrassing him in front of his friends.

But I just couldn't take it anymore. Why was my boyfriend always more concerned about someone else?

After signing my final papers, my phone buzzed.

It was Jasper.

I watched his name flash on the screen for a long time before answering.

He sounded cheerful, as if the camping trip had never happened.

"Hey, Rosie. How's your day? I'm downstairs at your office. I'm here to pick you up. "

"Do you have to work late? I can wait. "

I walked over to the window with the phone pressed to my ear.

Sure enough, there he was. The familiar figure standing by his car.

In the past, I would have dropped everything and run down to him.

Now, I just felt exhausted.

"No thanks. I'm going to be here very late. Go pick up Tessa instead. "

His laughter died instantly. His voice turned cold.

"What is that supposed to mean? I'm trying to do something nice for you, and you're still acting like a brat? "

"I'm not acting like anything. "

"I told you we broke up, Jasper. Don't call me again. "

He gave a frustrated laugh. "Playing hard to get? Fine. Don't regret it. "

I hung up and immediately blocked his number.

A few minutes later, a text came in from one of his friends. "Rosie, enough is enough. Jasper is getting really mad this time. If you don't turn around now, it's really over. "