However, Chloe didn’t seem to notice my emotional turmoil. She continued, “I know what I did was awful, but I really, really like Eth- an. I promise, if you just disappear, we can still be the best of friends, just like before.”
I couldn’t stand it anymore and cut her off: “Chloe, how could you do this? How could you sacrifice our friendship for your own selfi- sh desires?”
Chloe seemed startled by my outburst. She lowered her head and was silent for a moment, then looked up and said, “I’m sorry, I truly know I messed up. But I really like Ethan right now, and I don’t want to lose him.”
I looked at Chloe, her eyes red–rimmed with tears, and a pang of sympathy went through me. But sympathy couldn’t erase her betr-
ayal.
I took a deep breath, composed myself, and said, “Chloe, our friendship is precious, but I can’t agree to what you just suggested because of it. Your problems with Ethan don’t stem from me.”
Chloe listened to my words, and in her eyes, disappointment mingled with a hint of newfound resolve.
We didn’t reach a consensus during that conversation, but we both understood each other’s positions. I chose to forgive Chloe, but
Chapter 2
2219 00
We didn’t reach a consensus during that conversation, but we both understood each other’s positions. I chose to forgive Chloe, but our friendship could never go back to what it was.
Another week passed. Today was Jake’s birthday. I had specially dressed up and styled myself before going to his place. When I arrived, he was already in the kitchen, preparing dinner. He was an incredibly thoughtful person; even on his own birthday, he’d alw- ays cook something delicious for me and give me a gift.
Seeing the table laden with dishes, I asked curiously: “It’s just the two of us tonight, isn’t it? Why did you make so much food? We won’t be able to eat it all.”
Jake looked at me, puzzled. “Didn’t you invite Chloe too? She texted me last night. I went out specifically to buy more groceries today, just in case we didn’t have enough.”
nigh days.
My heart tightened. Chloe and I had exchanged information about our boyfriends‘ birthdays. And I’d told her that for our birthdays, we always had small, private celebrations at home. Just cooking good food, having a little wine, and enjoying a simple, happy cele- bration together. Her coming today, specifically, wasn’t to say or do something, was it?
After all, I still hadn’t brought myself to break up with Jake… Because I could clearly feel that my relationship with Ethan wasn’t like a normal couple’s, We didn’t have the same sense of stability and warmth that I shared with Jake.
Just as my mind was still racing with possibilities, the doorbell rang. I stood frozen, letting the doorbell chime repeatedly. I couldn’t imagine what would happen when I opened the door.
Jake mumbled something about me not opening the door, then turned off the stove, put down his spatula, and walked to the front
door.
The door slowly opened, revealing Chloe standing on Jake’s doorstep. Her eyes held a complex mix of emotions- ful satisfaction, but also a flicker of almost imperceptible guilt. She took a deep breath.
–
a hint of venge-
Chloe gave him no time to react, launching directly into a detailed account of everything that had happened between Ethan and
- me. Every detail, every scene, was vividly described, as if she had been there herself.
When Jake heard it all, he seemed to lose his soul. His voice trembled as he asked, “Is this true?” Chloe nodded, not flinching from his gaze.
In that moment, Jake’s heart shattered completely. His face, once so full of tenderness, was now pale and haggard. He had never imagined I would betray him, nor could he accept such a reality. He closed his eyes in pain, as if trying to process the sudden blow.
After a deep breath, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with complex emotions. Disbelief, disappointment, and a glimmer of desperate hope.
