Chapter 3

I went back to our apartment alone.

My phone buzzed.

Chloe had posted on her Snapchat story.

In the photo, Ethan was cutting a cake, and Chloe was wearing a paper crown, flashing a peace sign at the camera.

The caption read: The happiest birthday girl today!

Dozens of our mutual friends were commenting "Happy Birthday!" underneath.

Chloe replied to every single one of them with a "thank you."

She didn't mention a single word about whose birthday it actually was.

Feeling sick to my stomach, I locked my phone and started packing my bags.

My grandmother was sick, and I had already planned to go back to my hometown to take care of her for a while.

Only now, my temporary trip had become a permanent departure.

When Ethan walked through the door, he had a smile on his face, but it vanished the moment he saw me.

He handed me a box.

"I bought you another cake."

"No one else is here this time. You can wish for whatever you want."

It sounded sweet, but through the transparent box, I could see the cake inside was a complete mess.

It was the leftover cake from Chloe's Snapchat story, with melting whipped cream sloppily scraped together on a plate.

And it was orange-flavored.

I couldn't even force a fake smile. I looked up at Ethan.

"I'm severely allergic to oranges."

The last time I accidentally ate an orange, my body broke out in hives, and I passed out.

Ethan had been woken up by my burning skin, and he had carried me to the ER in his arms, sobbing the entire night.

Back then, his eyes were bloodshot with worry.

But now, he could remember that Chloe disliked a certain flavor, yet he forgot that oranges could literally kill me.

Ethan rubbed his ear awkwardly, raising his voice to hide his embarrassment.

"Then just don't eat it. Why do you have to be so difficult on your birthday?"

"Why can't you have a sweet temper like Chloe?"

I had nothing left to say. I turned back to my packing.

Chloe had a "sweet temper" because everyone catered to her. Whenever she didn't like something, someone else would fix it for her.

First it was her parents, then it was me, and now it was Ethan.

Of course she had a sweet temper.

Ethan finally noticed my suitcases lined up by the door.

He frowned.

"Are you going to see your grandmother now? Is she really that sick?"

For a second, my heart softened. I didn't expect him to remember me mentioning her illness.

"The doctor said..."

Before I could finish, Ethan cut me off impatiently.

"Perfect timing. Chloe's toxic ex-boyfriend found her place again, and she's looking for a new apartment."

"Make sure you clear out your room completely so she can move in here for a while."

My heart instantly plummeted into a freezing abyss.

Looking at Ethan's deadpan, serious face, I swallowed my tears.

"Whatever you want."

I was leaving anyway. Even if Chloe lived here for the rest of her life, it had nothing to do with me anymore.

Ethan looked up in surprise, a rare flash of confusion on his face.

"Hazel, since when did you become so generous?"

I blinked slowly.

"My opinion doesn't matter anyway. It's easier to just go along with what you want."

Ethan's face went sour. He let out a cold scoff and ignored me, pulling out his phone.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him texting Chloe.

Chloe sent a message: Thanks for the huge cake, boss! followed by a cute, pouting bitmoji.

Ethan sent back a blowing-kiss emoji.

If I didn't know they were my boyfriend and my best friend, I would have assumed they were a couple.

I let out a sudden laugh. Ethan heard it and immediately locked his screen.

"When I have time, I'll come visit you and your grandmother," he said softly, as if he hadn't just been flirting with my best friend.

I nodded.

"Okay."

I acted as if I didn't know that "when I have time" meant "never."