I saw him smiling at his phone.
Not just any smile—
the kind he had never shown me.
Soft.
Real.
Effortless.
I didn't even know his smile could be that beautiful…
that charming.
Curious, I stepped closer.
And then I saw it.
My heart dropped.
He was on a call with his ex-girlfriend.
The same one he told me broke his heart.
The same one who left him for another man.
Yet here he was—
laughing.
Happy.
Like none of that pain ever existed.
He didn't notice me until I tapped his shoulder.
He turned, slightly startled.
"Oh… hi. When did you get here?" he asked casually.
Still on the call.
"Just now," I replied.
His brows lifted,
and in that moment, his expression changed.
It was subtle—
but I saw it.
He wasn't happy to see me.
I didn't need him to say it.
I understood.
I was a distraction.
He muttered something into the phone, excused himself, and walked away.
Still smiling.
Still laughing.
His eyes glued to his screen.
And just like that—
I became invisible.
No explanation.
No apology.
He just left.
My eyes burned as I watched his back disappear behind the door.
Am I doing something wrong? I asked myself.
Am I not worthy of his love?
I stood up slowly, my head lowered, ready to leave.
As I opened the door, I bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly, without looking up.
"Are you going already?"
His voice was warm.
"Come on, babe… I thought you were here to spend time with me," he added playfully.
Before I could respond, he took my hand and pulled me back inside.
I sat quietly, watching him as he walked to the fridge.
He brought out a drink and handed it to me with a smile.
"Mango juice. You'll like it."
I stared at it.
My voice came out heavy.
"Is that mango juice?"
"Yes," he said casually.
I looked at him, my chest tightening.
"You don't know I'm allergic to mango… or you just don't care?"
He sighed.
"Don't be so hard to please. It's nothing—I just forgot."
Forgot.
The word echoed louder than it should have.
I swallowed my pain and asked softly,
"What day is it today?"
He frowned.
"What do you mean?"
I opened my mouth to tell him—
It's my birthday.
But before I could speak,
his phone rang.
He picked up immediately.
And just like that—
everything about him changed.
His tone.
His expression.
Suspicious.as
Distant.
"I have something to attend to. I'll make it up to you," he said quickly.
Then he left.
Again.
That wasn't the first time he forgot my birthday.
In fact—
he never remembered.
I laughed bitterly to myself.
He forgot my birthday.
And almost got me killed
with a drink I'm allergic to.
I left quietly and walked into a nearby bakery.
"I'd like a cake," I said.
I sat there, waiting patiently.
Alone.
"Here is your cake, miss."
I looked up.
The man standing before me had the most striking eyes.
His voice was deep.
Gentle.
"Enjoy your cake… and happy birthday," he said with a soft smile before walking away.
For a moment—
someone saw me.
My phone beeped.
I opened it quickly.
A message from him.
What should I get as a birthday gift?
My heart lifted.
Finally… he remembered.
But the next message came in.
And shattered everything.
It's Jessica's birthday in two weeks. I want to get her something she'll really like.
I didn't realize I was crying until my vision blurred.
The tears didn't stop.
They poured—
until there was nothing left.
I stared at my cake.
Made a silent wish.
A life without this kind of pain.
Then I picked up a fork and started eating.
Not because I was hungry—
but because I didn't know what else to do.
I ignored his message at first.
But later…
I replied.
"Get her a diamond necklace," I typed.
And a fancy bag.
As I stood up with my head down ready to go
before I could take a step...