Chapter 3

My friends agreed it was the right decision. Parents' health came first.

After a few rounds of drinks, someone finally asked, "What about Katherine? Will she follow you home?"

I fell silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "No. We'll probably break up."

I used to think we could build a home here, one day bring my parents over, and make it complete. But that home doesn't exist anymore. The only home I have is the one with my parents, the one that will never abandon me.

When I got back, Katherine was sitting on the couch in a white dress. Her long black hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her makeup was meticulously done. She was holding her phone, video chatting with Leslie.

From the other end of the call, Leslie's voice rang out. "Katherine, you're gorgeous, even in something as plain as a white dress. You look like an angel."

Katherine laughed, covering her face shyly. "Really? You always know what to say."

I stood there quietly. That dress wasn't plain. I had spent an entire month's salary to buy it for her.

When she turned and saw me, her smile vanished. She said into the phone, "I need to head out. I'll be there soon. Grab something to eat first."

Then she gave me a cold glance, stepped past me, and left. Not even a word.

This was her way. Silent treatment. Cold stares. She had used it before whenever it came to Leslie.

Over the years, I had exhausted myself trying to win her back each time. But this time, I didn't feel the panic. Instead, I took the groceries I had brought home and made myself a late-night snack. I hadn't eaten much during drinks with my friends. Now I was hungry.

In the following days, I focused on finishing work, handing over tasks, and packing up my belongings. Bit by bit, my things disappeared from the apartment, yet Katherine didn't seem to notice.

…

Today, she went out again to meet Leslie.

I sat at the dining table, scrolling through my phone as I ate.

Leslie had just posted on social media with the caption: [Whenever I feel lonely, you're always there. Grateful for you!]

In the photo, Katherine and Leslie leaned close, smiling at the camera and forming peace signs with their fingers. Her friends flooded the comments with likes and praise, admiring their bond.

They had always thought Katherine should be with Leslie. Childhood friends. Perfect match. And I was the outsider, the one who came between them.

Looking at the picture, I started to think maybe they were right. They did look more like a couple than we ever did.

In the past, I would've waited for days before gently asking Katherine to keep her distance from Leslie, to avoid misunderstandings. Her friends would mock me, calling me controlling, suffocating her freedom.

Katherine never defended me. Instead, she'd join them in criticizing me. She always wanted more space, more freedom.

She had commented on Leslie's post, too. [You're always there for me too.]

I closed the app without any emotion, stood up, and cleared the table.

Thunder rumbled outside. Rain was coming.

I stepped onto the balcony to bring in the laundry just as raindrops started pounding against the windows.

On rainy nights like this, I used to call Katherine, ask where she was, and rush out with an umbrella to pick her up. Her friends would tease me, saying I fussed over her like a mother, ruining their fun.

This time, I took a shower, got into bed, and scrolled through short videos until I drifted off.

The sound of the door slamming jolted me awake. Katherine stormed into the room, fury written all over her face.

"It's pouring out there! Your girlfriend's still not home, and you're just lying here sleeping? Don't you care at all?!" she yelled.

"If it were one of my friends' boyfriends," she went on, "they'd be calling nonstop, showing up with an umbrella, worried sick. And you?!"