Chapter 2

1.

When Gia walked in, I was halfway through a massive seafood platter.

In the past, I ordered seafood every time we went out, but Gia couldn't stand it.

Once we moved in together, I stopped cooking it entirely.

But now, I was done compromising.

Gia slammed a box onto the table. I frowned and looked up at her.

"What's this about?" I asked coldly, turning back to my crab legs.

Gia didn't say anything. She just pushed the box toward me.

Inside was a men's watch―classy, understated, exactly my style.

The irony was that I had already posted a picture of this exact watch on my feed months ago.

It was a limited edition that came out half a year ago. I had mentioned it once, but she only remembered it now.

She bit her lip. "Happy birthday. This is for you."

"I was too busy the day before yesterday. I forgot."

I gave a dull "Oh."

I picked up a piece of octopus and didn't look at her.

Gia's face hardened. She didn't know whether to keep explaining or not.

"Don't you… have anything to ask me?"

In the past, if she forgot something, I would grill her for hours.

I always thought I'd lose my mind if I ever caught her cheating.

But I just shook my head and stayed silent.

Three days before my birthday, I had seen those tickets on her desk.

I knew immediately they were for my favorite singer. The date was my birthday.

I had been so excited. I hugged her and kissed her right then.

"Babe, you're the best! You're finally going to the show with me!"

She had frozen for a second, giving me an awkward smile.

"Yeah, sure. You've wanted to go forever. I'll make time."

I was so blinded by happiness that I didn't notice the hesitation in her voice.

I had begged her to go to this concert a dozen times.

She always said it was boring or that she was too busy.

I had given up hope. I really thought she was finally choosing me.

On my birthday, I dressed up and wore her favorite cologne. I waited for her to come home.

When she finally showed up that night, she didn't even look at me. She went straight to her office.

I followed her, wanting to ask about the tickets.

She walked out past me and said, "Emergency at the office. I have to go back."

She took the tickets with her.

It turns out, the tickets weren't for us.

It turns out, she never planned to spend my birthday with me at all.

I tugged at my expensive shirt, feeling like a complete idiot.

I sat on the couch, scrolling through my phone to distract myself.

My feed was full of people showing off their happy lives. It only made me feel worse.

Then, a post from Zach's private account caught my eye.

The concert lights were blindingly bright. Gia was tucked into his chest.

They were staring at each other, looking like the happiest couple on earth.

The caption read: "At eighteen, I wished to see the Starry Night concert with you. Today, it finally came true. I'm just glad you're by my side."

I let out a bitter laugh. Of course.

Gia wanted to be with Zach.

He had always been the one in her heart.

I grabbed the wine bottle and poured myself a glass, gulping it down.

The bitter liquid burned my throat, but it couldn't touch the fire in my chest.

I drank all night. Gia didn't come home.

"Why is everything on the table seafood?"

Gia sat down, looking at the spread with a look of pure disgust.

"I figured you'd already eaten," I said, wiping my hands as I stood up.

She grabbed my wrist, her eyes welled up like she was the one being wronged.

"Leon, I'm still hungry."

I didn't turn back. I just spoke quietly. "Order a pizza. I'm tired."

I used to revolve my entire life around her. I'd wait up for her, cook for her, do everything.

Now, I just felt exhausted.