Chapter 2

As I stood up to leave, Ethan scoffed.

"Are you throwing another tantrum, Hazel?"

"Making such a big deal over a stupid birthday wish."

I didn't answer him. I just scooped up a bit of stray frosting from my fingertip and put it in my mouth.

It was sweet.

The pastry chef at that bakery had trained in France, and their desserts were famous.

I had waited in line for three hours for this cake.

During those three hours, Chloe had grown impatient.

She had clung to Ethan's arm, whining that her heels hurt and asking him to massage her feet.

"Ethan, if it weren't to celebrate Hazel's birthday, I would never put myself through this!"

Ethan had looked at her with pure adoration, thanking her endlessly for being there. Then, without even looking back at me, he said, "Just stay in line, Hazel. I'm taking Chloe to the arcade nearby."

My voice had caught in my throat, but I didn't stop them.

When I finally got the cake after three hours, I excitedly brought it over to share.

But Ethan only glanced at it and frowned.

"Don't you know Chloe hates this flavor?"

"You only think about yourself, don't you?"

The smile froze on my face. I felt incredibly humiliated.

It wasn't until I promised to buy Chloe another cake later that they finally smiled again.

And now, my actual birthday wish had caused Ethan to slam the cake onto the ground.

He looked at me impatiently, giving orders like a boss.

"That wish is impossible anyway."

"Apologize to Chloe. We'll go buy you another cake and you can make a different wish."

I bit my lip so hard I could taste blood.

"I won't apologize."

I didn't think wanting a private date with my own boyfriend was a crime.

Seeing me shake my head, Ethan's face darkened.

Chloe tugged at Ethan's sleeve. "Forget it, Ethan. It's all my fault."

"I rely on you guys too much. I'm the reason you don't have any alone time."

Ethan gently wiped her tears, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Your toxic ex really messed you up. Don't blame yourself, Chloe."

Then, he turned to me, his voice dripping with disappointment. "Hazel, can't you have some empathy for your best friend?"

But I had already given her all my empathy.

When Chloe said she had bipolar disorder and couldn't bear to be alone after her breakup, she started crashing our dates. Our romantic candlelit dinners became three-person hangouts.

At those dinners, the two of them would laugh and talk endlessly about their college days, leaving me sitting there like a ghost.

On our anniversary, when Ethan was about to put a promise ring on my finger, Chloe's eyes welled with tears as she talked about how she used to have a ring too.

So, Ethan ordered an identical ring for her, calling it a "symbol of their friendship."

I had tolerated Chloe for so long. But today, the one time I asked for a date with just the two of us, Chloe cried, and Ethan lost his temper.

It was as if I had committed a mortal sin.

But I was the one who was Ethan's girlfriend.

The years of suppressed pain and humiliation finally overflowed, tears streaming down my cheeks.

I choked out, "Ethan, do you even remember what you promised me on this exact day last year?"

One year ago, on my birthday.

Ethan had gone down on one knee and promised we would be married soon.

Hearing this, Ethan looked startled. His first instinct was to shift his body, shielding Chloe behind him.

After a long pause, his mouth opened and closed, but only a few words came out.

"Just... wait a little longer."

I let out a bitter laugh as hot tears ran down my face.

I wasn't going to wait anymore.

My grandmother, Rose, was really sick, and her only wish was to see me walk down the aisle and settle down.

I had promised her I would get married this year.

Since Chloe couldn't survive without crashing our dates, then I would be the one to leave.