chapter 2

When Milton and I first made our relationship official, he treated me like I was priceless.

One night after work, I missed the last subway and had to take a cab.

Once I got in the car, the driver started saying lewd things. Terrified, I sent a message to Milton.

He raced over from the other side of the city and intercepted the car before the driver could do anything to me, forcibly dragging him out.

Back then, I was so scared that I threw myself into his arms and cried.

Milton pulled me into his arms, and without hesitation, he used every dollar he had on him to rent an apartment near the office.

At the time, he held me close and said, "Hazel, once I have money, I'll make sure you live in a big house."

Later, he really did make money, and our lives gradually settled down.

But the man who once crossed half the city to protect me had left me on the roadside, all for another woman.

He forgot that I was also home alone.

I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, typed and deleted messages, but in the end, I didn't say the words "break up."

Forget it.

I decided I would tell him in person. It was only fair, after seven years of giving my all, to part on good terms.

At that moment, I happened to scroll through Laura's Instagram.

"You're amazing, Mr. Skeldon! With you watching over me, even the darkest night doesn't scare me!"

In the photo, two hands were clasped tightly.

I zoomed in and noticed a clear ring mark on Milton's finger—the plain band he used to wear had been removed.

I liked the post, then opened her profile.

Almost every day, she posted on Instagram. Her daily life with Milton looked sweeter than anything I had with him as his girlfriend.

On Laura's posts, Milton liked almost every single one—and so did his close friends.

That was when I realized that, at some point, Milton had let Laura into his circle.

It took a whole year of dating before he even introduced me to his friends.

"Hazel, they're a rowdy bunch. I'm afraid they might rub off on you!" he had said back then.

Later, as I got to know them, I finally understood what he meant.

His friends liked to joke around, and Milton knew I was sensitive, so he kept me away from them at first.

Laura had only been around for three months, and Milton couldn't wait to bring her in.

"First day as an intern, and my boss, Mr. Skeldon, is so handsome! What if he catches me peeking?"

"Second day, Mr. Skeldon has a girlfriend! She is so cool. So that's the type he likes!"

…

"Day 21, the car broke down! I'm so scared. What if I'm late to meet the client?"

I couldn't help thinking of that day when Milton glanced at his phone and told me to go ahead to the courthouse. He said Laura's car had broken down.

"She's meeting a client for the first time. This project is important. I'll take care of it. Hazel, wait for me!"

That day, I waited until my number was called and then until the courthouse closed, but Milton never showed up.

When I went back, I saw Laura holding a small cake, pouting playfully as she apologized to Milton.

It was only when he noticed me that Milton seemed to realize what he'd done, his face full of guilt. "Hazel, I'm sorry about the marriage certificate. Next time, I promise—I'll make it right!"

Laura let out a surprised squeal. "Oh! Today was the day you were supposed to get your marriage certificate? I'm so sorry! I really messed up your big day. Mr. Skeldon, dock my pay if you want!"

Milton chuckled. "That little money wouldn't even cover what you owe!"

Laura stuck out her tongue, and the two of them exchanged a smile.

I felt like an outsider.

The person responsible was apologizing to Milton while deliberately ignoring me.

I felt like a fool.

Books say it takes 21 days to form a habit.

Milton had known Laura for just 21 days, yet he could throw away the more than 2,100 days we had together.

I had underestimated her—and overestimated him.