Chapter 1043

Chris sat there in silence. Perhaps he had never considered this question. Or, more likely, he never thought it was an issue at all.

I continued, "Or perhaps you enjoy having me as a convenient stand-in for the one you truly love. I was there to provide comfort in your moments of loneliness and despair. And when the real deal came back, you could just coldly cast me aside."

Chris buried his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling as if his entire world had crumbled around him.

Once upon a time, the mere sight of his pain would've been unbearable to me. But now, as his suffering lay bare before me, my heart remained untouched.

It was then that I realized how stark the line between love and indifference could be.

"Stop saying you love me. It sounds painfully ironic. Your love is something I no longer need or desire. Have you seen my new home? It's small and modest, and with my meager salary, it'll take years to afford a house of my own.

"Despite this, I find solace in the know