On our first anniversary after ending our long-distance relationship, I lay on the hotel bed waiting for Austin to finish his shower. I idly picked up his phone, entering the wrong passcode by mistake. To my surprise, it opened—but not to the home screen I knew. It was a secret account interface. In the only app installed, Austin had posted a thread using a burner account: "Seven years of long-distance just ended, but I'm not as happy as I thought I'd be. What should I do?" A helpful netizen asked: "What's the situation, bro? Seven years, and you just fell out of love?" Two minutes later, Austin replied with a long paragraph. "I don't know. It's hard to explain." "I think I love her, but not like before. When she throws herself into my arms, my heart doesn't race. When she acts cute, I just feel exhausted dealing with it." "Seven years of long-distance, I flew tens of thousands of miles back and forth. At first, there was no fatigue, only excitement to see her. But later, it changed without me noticing. I started feeling like I didn't have enough time, like my youth was being wasted on the road." "I even selfishly thought, why is it always me giving? Why can she accept it with such peace of mind? Shouldn't a relationship be equal?" The netizen asked: "If she were to marry someone else right now, would you be sad? If yes, you still love her. If no, let her go." Austin replied two days later. The timestamp was right before he picked me up from the airport. "I don't know." A bomb went off in my ears, leaving my mind blank. I knew then that love doesn't disappear; it just transfers. 1 The hotel room was perfectly climate-controlled, but the 78-degree breeze couldn't chase away the chill in my bones. My first reaction to seeing the post was disbelief. I've known Austin for ten years. I knew how much he loved me. We met in sophomore year of high school. I was the valedictorian; he was at the bottom of the class. To pursue me, he fought for three years, eventually graduating second in the school, becoming a campus legend. At graduation, he confessed to me under a sky full of fireworks and confetti. When I told him I was going abroad for college, he knelt and swore that distance wouldn't affect us. It would only verify his heart. For seven years, he flew back and forth over a thousand times. Once, he landed in the evening just to see me on my birthday and flew back at 3 AM. When his startup succeeded, he spent his first pot of gold—fifty thousand dollars—entirely on jewelry for me. Every holiday and anniversary since, the gifts never stopped, getting more expensive each time. But now, he says he's tired. The water in the bathroom stopped. The lock clicked. He peeked out, saw me holding his phone, and panic flashed in his eyes. "Babe, what are you doing?" "Checking up on me as soon as you're back? Let me see, what did you find?" I kept my face neutral, quickly switching back to the normal interface. "Why? Not allowed to look? Do you have secrets from me?" Austin glanced at the screen, seeing only the photo gallery open, and sighed in relief. He walked over and smoothed my hair. "No, there are never secrets between us." He took the phone, set it on the table, and leaned over me. "Babe, I missed you so much." "We finally don't have to be apart." "This time I'm going to stick to you. You can't shake me off no matter where you go." A gentle kiss landed on the corner of my mouth as I turned my head slightly. I clenched my fists, suppressing the sourness in my chest. Even if his feelings had changed, at least in this moment, he belonged to me. I told myself to forget the post. I wrapped my arms around his neck. Before things could heat up, his phone dinged. "Mr. Sterling, urgent issue with the project. Come quickly." To prove his innocence, Austin waved the message in front of my face. "Sorry, babe. Urgent work stuff. I have to go." He turned around, but I hugged him from behind, my voice pleading. "It's our first anniversary in the same country. Stay with me, please?" Maybe there really was work. Maybe it was an excuse. But after seven years apart, I cherished every second. The air grew heavy. Austin's heartbeat remained steady. Just as he said, it didn't race like it did when we were eighteen. After a long pause, he sighed. "Babe, we're adults. We can't live on love alone." "Besides, if I don't work, how can I marry you? How can I make your parents trust me with you?" "Be good. I'll be back soon. If you're tired, sleep first." He left without giving me a chance to respond. I took a deep breath, looking up to keep the tears from falling. I dressed quickly and followed him. 2 The taxi followed him to the south side of the city. Villas flashed by outside the window, and my breathing quickened. Austin said the company needed liquidity, so our marital home could only be a condo for now. But if he was coming to this luxury villa district late at night, was it just for work? Trembling, I dialed his number. He picked up quickly, getting out of his car as he spoke. "What's wrong, babe? Miss me already after half an hour?" "Where are you?" He sounded helpless. "Where else would I be? The office, of course. The staff is waiting for me to make a decision. I have to go, I'll call you after the meeting." As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in a silky nightgown threw herself into his arms. They kissed passionately under the tree. My world spun. I clutched my chest, the pain making it hard to breathe. I asked one last time, emphasizing every word. "Austin, where are you exactly?" Annoyed at the interruption, he snapped. "I said I'm working. You were paranoid when you were abroad, and now you're doubting me when you're back? Come see for yourself if you don't believe me." "Meeting's starting. Bye." He hung up and eagerly lifted the girl onto the hood of his car. Their noses were inches apart. "Texting me when you know I'm busy tonight? You're getting bold." "But I missed you." "I was afraid you wouldn't want me anymore now that your girlfriend is back. Wouldn't that make me pitiful?" "I gave you my first time. You can't be a jerk." Austin laughed at her cuteness and booped her nose. "You're living in my biggest villa while I'm stuck in a condo. Who's the pitiful one?" "Fine, you're pitiful." "I came all this way. How are you going to compensate me?" "Hee hee, guess!" The girl jumped off the car, backed away teasingly, and curled her finger at him. "Come and get me. If you catch me, you can do whatever you want." Austin chased after her, laughing. The sight of them running together stabbed my eyes. Tears fell uncontrollably, no matter how hard I wiped them away. When they passed under a streetlamp, I finally saw her face clearly. Chloe. In that instant, my heart twisted in agony. Suffocating. Anyone else. Why did it have to be her? The year I sponsored Chloe, Austin went with me. At the orphanage, all the kids clamored for the toys I brought. Only Chloe stared at my books. I asked her if she didn't like toys. She shook her head and said the director told her education changes destiny. She didn't want to be a pitiful worm begging for charity forever. My heart softened, and I took her in. For three years of high school, I tutored her almost daily. She always said she didn't deserve happiness. It was me who told her, again and again, that as long as she was good enough, she deserved everything in the world. It was me who pulled her out of the mud and gave her a life of plenty. And now, she trampled on my heart and pushed me into hell. Before I went abroad, I entrusted her to Austin. He certainly took good care of her. Even her private life. I got out of the taxi and walked aimlessly in the rain. The downpour washed over me again and again. Seven years of memories replayed before my eyes. There was actually something I kept from Austin. The reason I went abroad was to buy him time. If I stayed, I would have been forced into a political marriage right after college. Only by leaving did we have a chance to be together forever. I bet on him trying his hardest for me. It seems I won and lost at the same time. He succeeded. But our love can never go back. I pulled out my soaked phone. After ten minutes of pressing buttons, the screen finally lit up. My father was surprised when he answered. "You remembered you have parents? Seven years of silence, I thought you died out there!" My voice was hoarse. "Dad, I'm sorry." "I... am willing to come home for the marriage alliance." "But I have a request. Investigate someone for me..." 3 Seven years wasted. My father said I only had three days. I agreed and hung up. When I got back to the condo, it was 4 AM. At dawn, Austin came back, reeking of perfume. Seeing me on the sofa, he jumped, looking displeased. "What are you doing here? You didn't make a sound, I thought it was a ghost." I took a deep breath and sneered. "A ghost? It's your own guilty conscience." "Floral notes. Nice taste, Mr. Sterling." "Your employee seems to have style." Austin's face froze, then flushed with anger. "Are you annoying or what? Checking my phone as soon as I get back, calling me during meetings... do you know how my employees laugh at me?" "I work all night and come home to your cold face. I'm human too. When can you stop being so selfish!" I stood up abruptly, nearly fainting as my vision went black. "I'm selfish? Austin, don't you think that's laughable?" "Who do I work for? Who did I start this company for? If I didn't want to marry you, wouldn't it be easier to just get a job? Would I work until dawn?" "I haven't dared to relax for a second in seven years. Instead of understanding my hard work, you're suspicious. Can't I even complain?" I laughed until tears fell. "Fine. You're successful now. When do you plan to marry me?" Austin's anger vanished, replaced by panic and awkwardness. "I... I didn't mean that." "The company has been having issues lately. I haven't had time to think about it." Seeing my expression, he rushed to hug me, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Babe, I know you're insecure. Haven't I been too, for seven years?" "But I want to be a little more perfect before I face your parents." "Give me a little more time. I promise, soon. Okay?" I felt like I was falling into an ice cavern. I couldn't even force a smile. I'm not a sore loser. I just wanted him to speak the truth. I just wanted a dignified end. But even that was too much to ask. "Last night, I heard Chloe's voice." "The 'overtime' you mentioned was with her." Austin shoved me away, his eyes red. "If you have a problem with me, say it. What does this have to do with Chloe?" "She's an employee, of course she's in the meeting. Stop biting like a mad dog, okay?" "When did you hire her? Didn't you say Chloe was incompetent and not worth training?" Panic flashed in his eyes. "That was before. Chloe is capable now. She even got the Employee of the Year bonus last year." "But you never told me." Austin's patience snapped, or maybe he ran out of excuses. The next second, he smashed the water glass on the table and roared. "Fine! Not telling you was my fault! Happy?" "Everything is my fault! I shouldn't have worked overtime, shouldn't have been ambitious for you, shouldn't have left you for work! You're always right!" Having vented, he stormed out without looking back. The door slam echoed in the living room, a silent mockery of my one-woman show. For seven years, I was the only one still standing in this relationship. Luckily, the dream is over. It's time for me to go. I didn't have much at Austin's place. Packing was effortless. After throwing out two trash bags, there was no trace of me left in the house. Only then did I realize how little weight I held in his life. Being left behind was only natural. That night, I found a hotel. My phone rang. 4 It was Chloe. Her voice was urgent. "Babe... I mean, Sis! I heard from Austin you're back? Come to the bar, quick! He's drunk and no one can stop him. He only listens to you." "Here's the address. Hurry!" Before I could speak, she hung up. She texted an address. It was right near the hotel. When I arrived at the private room, the noise was deafening. I could hear Austin's friends jeering. "Austin, that won't do! Drinking one glass doesn't count! Taking a drink for Chloe means double! Those are the rules!" Austin seemed drunk, leaning into Chloe, unable to sit up. "No... no more." His friends complained. "Come on! You drank triple for her last time. What's wrong today? Got something on your mind? Drunk so fast." "Forget it, Chloe. Your brother is useless. Let's play." Chloe glanced at me at the door and deliberately lost the game. The men winked at each other. "Find a man and French kiss for ten minutes! The kind with strings attached!" "Oh my, that's too much. I'll just drink." Austin's friend snatched her glass away. "No way! Austin already drank for you. Now you have to do the dare. Kiss! Kiss!" Chloe rolled her eyes playfully and pointed at the man next to Austin. "Him then." "A kiss is just a kiss." She closed her eyes and leaned in. The next second, she was pinned to the sofa. Austin's eyes were red. He couldn't speak clearly, but the threat was obvious. "Dare you choose someone else!" "You can only be mine... mine..." Amidst the cheers, Austin kissed her fiercely. The others acted like this was normal. Some even pulled out phones to record. My palms dug into my flesh. Something in my chest collapsed with a crash, bleeding pain. Ten minutes felt like a century. When the kiss ended, Austin collapsed onto the sofa. I pushed the door open. "What a coincidence. Long time no see." His friends froze, unable to find an excuse. Chloe, in a short skirt and wearing Austin's jacket, stepped forward. "Sis, you're here." "Don't worry, everyone. Sis and I go way back. I'll explain." "She's not petty. Right, Sis?" The guys behind her relaxed and went back to drinking, ignoring us. Chloe leaned in, lowering her voice. "Austin was too rough just now. He bit my tongue." "But don't worry, he just mistook me for you." "He always says I look like you at eighteen. I don't know why." She smiled, eyes curving into crescents. "Maybe because I'm young." "After all these years of your charity, I've repaid you many times. Every time Austin missed you, he treated me like you..." Rage boiled over. I slapped her. "Don't dirty my ears!" The next second, a heavier slap landed on my face. "What are you doing! Get out!" I looked up into Austin's drunken eyes. My cheek burned, the pain piercing my heart. "Austin, you hit me for Chloe?" "Look at who I am!" He roared louder, drowning me out. "I don't care who you are! No one hurts Chloe!" "Chloe is so kind, what right do you have to hit her?" I pointed at Chloe, who was hiding behind him with a provocative smirk. "Kind? Would a kind person seduce a married man? Would she climb into her benefactor's fiancé's bed?" "You don't know Chloe! You have no right to judge her! She has her reasons!" "What are you guys staring at? Throw this crazy woman out!" His friends were dumbfounded. "Austin, that's your fiancée..." "I only know Chloe!" "Get her out!" They approached awkwardly. I straightened my jacket. "No need. I'll walk." "Austin Sterling, you will pay for what you did today." He laughed like it was the funniest joke. "Pay? Do you know who my wife is? The only daughter of the Su family! Who do you think you are..." Before he could finish, he passed out. I didn't stop. I left that toxic place immediately. Seven years of love vanished with that slap. Two days later, I boarded the plane home with my documents. Before takeoff, he sent an apology. "Babe, I was too emotional that day. I shouldn't have argued with you." "I thought it through. Let's get married. I'm willing to marry you." "Chloe is a good girl. If marrying makes you feel secure, I'll do it." I smirked bitterly. Like marrying me was some great act of charity. But... good girl? Hardly. Before leaving that morning, I had already sent a package to his company. That gift would serve as the severance for our seven years. Without replying, I blocked and deleted him, then turned and boarded the plane. Austin Sterling, I'm letting you go. And letting myself go, too.
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