Chapter 1

I was shopping at the mall when my period suddenly started, the blood staining my entire white pants.

I had no choice but to hide in the mall bathroom and ask my boyfriend Ethan to buy me tampons and clean pants.

But I waited for three hours. By the time the mall closed, he still hadn't come back.

I called him frantically. He didn't answer.

But then I saw his female assistant post an update on Instagram.

"Wanted macarons, and the boss immediately brought me a whole 80 of them! I'm going to be his assistant forever!"

Completely disheartened, I sent my mom a message.

"Mom, that blind date you mentioned---go ahead and arrange for us to meet."

The mall closed.

The lights went out, just like my relationship with Ethan.

When I walked out of the mall bathroom covered in blood, I startled the security guard on patrol.

"Miss, what happened to you? Did someone attack you? Should I call the police?"

I smiled bitterly and declined the kind man's offer.

Ethan had driven off with the car, so I could only stand on the roadside trying to hail a ride.

Several drivers saw the blood on my pants and either got scared or disgusted, refusing to pick me up.

Half an hour later, I finally met a kind-hearted female driver, and I was finally able to go home.

My phone kept ringing while I was washing up.

When I came out, I saw missed calls from my mom and a long string of messages.

"You finally came to your senses? I told you that Ethan was a heartless bastard!"

"Seven years! If he wanted to marry you, he would have done it ages ago! Why would he string you along for so long? At least you're waking up before it's too late. The blind date I found for you is eight streets ahead of that scumbag!"

It turned out my parents' words really were wise.

When you're young, you always think they don't understand love.

After a few more years, you realize it's you who doesn't understand life.

"I was just in the shower. Mom, I'll listen to you."

Right after I replied to my mom, Ethan finally came home.

And he brought along his precious Chloe.

"Aria... you... you're already back? When I got to the mall it was already closed..."

He looked somewhat embarrassed, but quickly held up a large plastic bag as if presenting a prize.

Inside were various brands of sanitary pads.

"I don't know anything about pads, and I was afraid of buying the wrong kind, so I asked Chloe to help me choose. That's why I came back a bit late."

What a pathetic lie.

But I felt no anger or grievance anymore.

This must be what they mean by the greatest sorrow being a dead heart.

"It's fine. I've already taken care of it myself. No need to trouble you."

I said flatly, not looking at Ethan's evasive eyes.

Knowing he was in the wrong, he pretended to go to the bathroom, but before leaving, he didn't forget to earn brownie points for Chloe.

"Chloe knew you weren't feeling well, so she specifically came up to check on you."

"Yeah, Aria, are you okay? We women really suffer when our periods come. Should I make you some ginger tea to warm you up?"

Chloe was as good as ever at playing sweet in front of Ethan.

But once Ethan went into the bathroom, Chloe's face immediately changed to a sharp, mocking, vicious expression.

She sneered in a voice only the two of us could hear.

"Aria, these pads should be enough for an old woman like you to use until menopause, right?"

"Haha, it's embarrassing just thinking about it!"

"A woman covered in blood, dirty and smelly, abandoned at the mall with no one caring---if I were you, I'd rather just die!"

"Ethan clearly doesn't love you anymore. Why are you still clinging on shamelessly? Can't you leave yourself some dignity? Do you have to wait to be kicked out? Do you really enjoy being a beggar for love?"

The closer Chloe got, the more she said.

She deliberately brought her face close to mine.

I knew what Chloe was planning.

Nothing more than provoking me to slap her so she could play the victim in front of Ethan.

To continue driving a wedge between us.

In the past, I definitely would have slapped her.

But now?

Would you fight someone over a piece of shit?

I just looked coldly at Chloe's performance.

Like watching a green fly dancing over a cesspool.

Under my gaze, her expression changed from smug provocation to puzzled bewilderment.

Then to panic and unease.

Finally to shame and anger.

She gritted her teeth, suddenly raised her hand, and gave herself a hard slap.

With the crisp sound of the slap, Chloe burst into tears.

"Aria, don't do this!"