Chapter 3

"Thanks. Just toss it in the trash!"

I ignored him and had no intention of inviting him in, but he shoved the door open and forced his way inside, accidentally knocking into my wound. It hurt so much my eyes nearly welled up.

Only then did he notice I was injured, and remembering the typhoon that day, he hurried to apologize.

"I'm so sorry, Millie. I didn't know you were hurt this badly. You sounded pretty upbeat on the phone the other day, so I thought you were fine!"

"Lucky me, still alive! By the way, did Phoebe like that bouquet of red roses soaked in my blood?"

Mortimer went still for a moment and was about to explain, but I cut him off with a few words.

"She must have liked them, right? After all, they were red roses from you. I even saw Phoebe post something on her feed saying she loves you!"

It was only from my tone that Mortimer realized I was angry.

He was so full of himself that he figured nothing he'd done could possibly make me angry, and he even blamed me for throwing another tantrum.

"Okay, Millie, stop talking in that snide tone. You know how Phoebe and I are. Ours is the purest kind of guy-girl friendship. We grew up together. If there were ever going to be feelings, they'd have been there long ago, right?"

"I know you can understand that, so don't be mad! I didn't get a chance to reach out this time because I was celebrating Phoebe's birthday."

I nodded, and as I talked to him I started clearing out all the worthless little trinkets he'd given me over the years.

I bagged every last one of them in a trash bag and set it by the door for Mortimer to take with him later.

Then I cast the video of their proposal at the concert onto the TV so he could relive it for himself.

"Is this something I'm not allowed to be angry about either?"

"What's there to be angry about? That was for Phoebe's birthday too, to set up a personal account for her."

"You spent six thousand dollars in one minute? To make everyone think the two of you are a couple? So if we got married, would that make me the mistress?"

"Come on! As long as we know the truth, that's all that matters. Who cares what outsiders say! I was just helping Phoebe shoot videos for her account, that's all."

Round and round, Mortimer only ever had this one excuse.

I was sick of hearing it.

"So if we got married, you'd still help Phoebe film childhood-sweetheart videos? Aren't you afraid people online will dig up that you're married?"

"What's there to be so afraid of! Just do it, that's all. Phoebe isn't afraid, so what are you afraid of?"

He frowned, impatient, clearly done talking to me.

I had no desire left to talk to him either, so I just showed him out without trying to make him stay.

"Take your stuff and go! Don't come looking for me again. We're through."

"What do you mean, through? Millie Mann! We're about to get married. Both sets of parents have already met, the date is set, and you break up just like that? Do you treat marriage like a joke? Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you?"

I gave a cold laugh and threw his own words back at him.

"Phoebe isn't afraid, so what am I afraid of?"

Bang—

I slammed the door shut and decisively deleted everything about him.

Mortimer didn't hesitate either. He turned and left.

I immediately told my parents the engagement was canceled, the marriage was off, and there'd be no wedding.

That same night, Mortimer's parents called to ask what on earth had happened between us.

After hearing the whole story and learning I was jealous of Phoebe, they both gave a scornful laugh, not taking my feelings seriously in the slightest.

"Oh, come on, Millie. You can't blame us for saying so—this is your fault! Phoebe is family, she's Mortimer's little sister. Why on earth are you jealous of her?"