Chapter 1

Sloane said she couldn’t come to dinner with me.

But an hour later, she walked into the same restaurant, standing right beside him.

She tried to sit next to me like nothing was wrong.

Aiden gave me a quiet, satisfied smile, as if he’d already won.

Sloane kept sending excuses and half-apologies, expecting me to melt the way I always did.

But I didn’t.

That night, I finally stopped being predictable—

and decided to walk away from her for good.

I sat at the table, watching the food grow cold, much like my heart.

Today was my birthday, but it was also the birthday of Aiden, Sloane's childhood friend. I opened Aiden's Instagram and saw a new post.

"Grateful to have you by my side every birthday. Let's keep celebrating together for years to come!"

The photo showed two hands making a heart shape in front of a cake. One of them was Sloane's, wearing the necklace I had given her.

I liked the post, then put down my phone and dumped all of Sloane's favorite dishes I had prepared into the trash. I went out to a restaurant to order my own favorites and celebrate my birthday alone.

From now on, I would make each of my birthdays special - for myself.

Halfway through my meal, Sloane called. Her voice held a hint of anxiety: "Grant, did you see Aiden's Instagram post?"

"I did."

"I'll be back after celebrating with him. I'll spend next year's birthday with you, okay? Don't be upset!"

In the past, I would have thrown a fit, but not anymore. I simply replied, "Okay."

The next morning, around 7 AM, I was woken up by my phone ringing. It rang three times before cutting off. I checked - it was Sloane.

She used to be too lazy to use her key, so she'd always call me to let her in, ringing three times before hanging up.

No matter what I was doing, I would rush to open the door for her.

Today, I didn't. I tossed my phone aside and went back to sleep.

The spare key was under the shoe rack by the door. She knew that.

I had been up until 3 AM packing, and my head was still fuzzy. My phone rang a few more times, but I couldn't be bothered to look.

Some time later, I vaguely heard someone unlocking the door and coming in. The door slammed against the wall loudly, followed by my bedroom door being flung open and Sloane's angry voice.

"Grant, why didn't you open the door for me? I called several times! You know I hate using keys!"

I opened my eyes and looked at her impassively. "Too tired. Didn't hear it."

Sloane opened her mouth, then closed it. Finally, she said, "I'm hungry. Get up and make me a sandwich. I didn't sleep all night, and I need to catch up on some rest after I eat."

In the past, I would have jumped up to make her breakfast. But now, I just said flatly, "I'm tired too. Why don't you go downstairs and buy something?"

Sloane was furious but tried to control herself. "Are you still mad about me not being here for your birthday yesterday?"

"No, you're overthinking it."

Sloane didn't believe me. She continued, "Aiden is like a brother to me. His parents passed away when he was young. If I don't celebrate his birthday with him, who will? Don't be so petty, or I'll really get angry!"

"You're right. You should celebrate with him. I'm not upset."

I got up to go to the bathroom.

Sloane grabbed my hand and reluctantly pulled out a red string bracelet from her pocket. "Here, don't be mad. This is your birthday gift. See? I remembered."

Looking at the cheap red string with its dangling metal charm, which seemed so carelessly chosen, and thinking of the expensive watch Aiden had shown off on Instagram, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

I had thought Sloane's recent frugality was to save up for my birthday gift. Apparently, I had been deluding myself.

I shook my wrist, showing the watch my mom had sent me a few days ago. "Thanks, but I already have a watch. It's not convenient to wear this. You keep it."

Sloane snapped, "You say you're not angry, but you used to be happy with whatever I gave you. Are you getting picky now?"

Sloane's salary wasn't high. Her birthday gifts to me were always cheap, costing a few dollars or tens of dollars at most. Sometimes she even forgot to give me anything. But I never minded.

For her birthdays, I always prepared thoughtful gifts. Just a week ago, for her birthday, I had given her a gold necklace.

I was tired. I didn't have the energy to argue anymore. I took the red string and put it in my pocket. "Thank you."

I changed my clothes and opened the door. Sloane called out anxiously, "Where are you going?"

"To play basketball with friends."

Since getting together with Sloane, all my free time belonged to her. I accompanied her everywhere, took care of her, and had no time left for myself.

That wouldn't be the case anymore. I needed to live for myself now.