Chapter 3

I suddenly remembered that Rachel often typed on social media pages, but I'd never seen her post anything.

A possibility formed in my mind, and I searched for clues in her social media accounts.

Rachel's main account was completely blank, but in her following list, I found an account called "Missing Connor."

My hands trembled as I clicked on it. The IP address matched too.

This account had been continuously updated for six years, with thousands upon thousands of posts.

It was like accidentally opening Pandora's box. The contents shocked me speechless.

Everything was about Connor—every word filled with suppressed love and obsession.

The account started as a record of their relationship, and later became Rachel's endless longing for Connor.

[November 9, 2021: I'm with someone else now. I won't wait for you.]

That was the day—I'd lost count of how many times I'd confessed to her—when Rachel finally relented and agreed to be with me.

Turns out I hadn't moved her at all. That was just the day Connor left the country.

[March 10, 2022: I slept with someone else. That's what you get for dating someone else.]

I still remembered Rachel being drunk that night, clinging to me and not letting me leave, finally using sweet words to coax me into sleeping with her.

[May 16, 2023: Are you really not planning to come back? I hate you. I'll never forgive you!]

That year, Rachel held me tightly and pulled a ring from her pocket to put on my finger.

She looked at me with such tender affection and promised:

"Adrian, I'm going to marry you."

I took a deep breath, lacking the courage to continue reading.

I scrolled directly to the most recent update, posted not long ago:

[I still lost to you. After all these years, I still can't let go. I'll only ever love you.]

The photo showed the two of them together.

They were holding hands tightly, their faces glowing with joy.

Tears fell uncontrollably, dropping onto the phone screen and blurring my vision.

I was pierced with wounds from the deception and betrayal, my sincere heart bleeding.

So throughout our entire three-year relationship, Rachel's love had never belonged to me for even a moment.

Youthful passion burns hot and true, lasting for years.

Rachel was willing to overcome every obstacle just to have Connor again.

Even though he'd been gone for so many years, abandoning her, she still gave her heart to him willingly.

But what about me?

I trembled all over as understanding dawned on me.

No wonder Rachel never argued with me—she simply didn't care.

No wonder Rachel never cared about my condition—I just wasn't important to her.

No wonder she'd gotten so excited she fell down the stairs—it wasn't because she was rushing to see me, but because Connor's sudden return had disturbed her emotions.

I barely steadied my thoughts and took screenshots of everything, preserving the evidence.

This was for the best. At least I wouldn't have second thoughts now.

If I hadn't accidentally overheard what she said about me that day, if I hadn't found her secret social media account,

I might have been kept in the dark my entire life, mistakenly believing she'd really given up on her first love.

I'd finally seen through Rachel's dirty heart beneath her gentle exterior, realizing that all those tender moments of intimacy had been fake.

Now there was no reason left to continue this farce of a relationship.

At that moment, my supervisor called.

I took a deep breath, trying not to let anything show.

"Adrian, headquarters has an opportunity to work at the Paris branch. I wanted to ask if you're interested."

"You'd go in directly as a director. It's quite a rare opportunity."

Mr. Liu was earnest in his persuasion.

Actually, this wasn't the first time a promotion opportunity had come my way.

Last time, because I wanted to settle down in this city with Rachel, I'd firmly declined the chance to go to France, even though it had once been a dream I loved.

But now, there was no longer any reason worth abandoning my dreams for.

"Thank you for this opportunity. I'm willing to work in Paris."

The determination to break up had never been this strong. My survival instincts were screaming at me.

Even if my heart was being cut like a knife, I was willing to endure this pain.

After hanging up, I decisively booked a flight to Paris for a few days later.

After being discharged, I immediately went home and packed all my belongings.

During this time, I didn't run into Rachel.

She was probably still busy keeping Connor company.

The next day, sitting in the taxi to the airport, I saw an update on Rachel's secret account from last night:

[Seeing each other again, couldn't help ourselves.]

The photo showed her holding hands with Connor, fingers intertwined.

I calmly scrolled past, though my heart still ached faintly.

Rachel suddenly sent me a text—she must have seen the changes at home.

[Did you get discharged yesterday? Where are you?]

I didn't respond.

She called countless times, and I hung up on every one.

Until one minute before boarding, an unknown number called.

I answered. Rachel's anxious, agitated voice filled my ear:

"Adrian, where did you go? When did you get home?"

I smiled silently and responded calmly.

"Rachel, I know Connor's back."

"He's your true love, isn't he?"

I gave a self-mocking smile and ruthlessly exposed her scheme.

"Now that the person you couldn't forget is back, naturally the substitute should exit the stage."

The boarding announcement sounded at just the right moment.

I heard Rachel grit her teeth and demand:

"Adrian, where the hell are you?"