My boyfriend, Nate, stepped in to stop a fight between his best friend and his girlfriend. But he didn't just break it up. He shielded the girl behind him and grabbed his best friend by the collar, shaking him. "I only let you have her because you promised to treat her right! If you can't take care of her, then give her back to me!" Standing in the doorway, I froze. 1 On the night of our three-year anniversary, Nate brought a girl home. I was setting up the candles and wine when I saw her. She had a messy bun, a tear-streaked face, and was wrapped in Nate’s oversized suit jacket. She looked frail, like a wounded bird. She glanced at me, wiped her tears quickly, and looked down as if she was scared. "Chloe, I'm so sorry to bother you again." I frowned instinctively and looked at Nate. He turned his face away, avoiding my gaze. This was the third time this month Sarah had ended up in our apartment. Nate and I had been together since high school. Our families were similar in status, and we were practically engaged, just waiting to graduate. Nate hated dorm life, so his parents bought this luxury apartment for us. Sarah was Nate’s childhood friend and also dating his best friend, Jason. Recently, Sarah and Jason had been fighting constantly. Jason’s interest in Sarah had faded after the chase. His playboy habits returned, and he started treating her like an accessory he was bored with—calling her plain, boring, and clingy. When he was in a bad mood, he’d scream at her or throw her stuff out on the street. At first, Nate and I felt bad for her. We’d go over, calm things down, and let her stay with us. But it was becoming a habit. I had already told Nate: Next time, give her money for a hotel. Do not bring her here. He had agreed. Yet here she was. Seeing my silence, Sarah’s eyes turned red. "I'm sorry, Chloe. I saw lipstick on Jason’s shirt and asked about it. He flipped out, said I was controlling, pinched me, and told me to get lost..." Fear lingered in her eyes, but my sympathy was running dry. I had told her to break up with Jason a dozen times. She always made excuses. She chose to stay. There was nothing more I could do. "Chloe, can I stay here tonight? Nate said I could take the guest room..." I looked at Nate. His jaw was set. "Fine," I said coolly. "You can stay." 2 Our anniversary dinner was ruined. Sarah sat on the couch crying the entire time. Nate, who usually had zero patience for drama, sat beside her, listening intently and handing her tissues. By the time Sarah finally went to the guest room, the food was cold and congealed. Inedible. Nate and I fought. "We agreed. Money for a hotel. Why is she here?" I didn't get it. Nate was proud, even a bit arrogant. He hated getting involved in other people’s messy lives. Why was he so invested in Sarah? Nate frowned. "You're a girl, Chloe. Can't you have some empathy? Sarah has no family here. Who else can she turn to?" He realized his tone was harsh and sighed, hugging me from behind. "I'm sorry, babe. I wasn't thinking. Jason is a scumbag. Sarah was bruised all over when I got there. He threw her out with nothing. I couldn't just leave her. "A hotel isn't safe for a girl alone in that state. Just this once. I promise, never again. Okay?" I stared out the window, silent. Nate’s hand slid under my silk robe, his fingers warm against my skin. I felt his breath hitch as he pressed closer. "I'll make it up to you tomorrow," he whispered in my ear. "Dinner at Le Bernardin. I'll give you a proper anniversary." My breath caught. I turned, ready to kiss him. Knock, knock, knock. Sarah’s timid voice came through the door. "Nate? Chloe? I made some sweet soup. Do you want some?" I froze. I was about to say no. Nate let go of me instantly. He opened the door. "Yeah. Thanks." Five minutes later, Nate was sitting at the dining table, drinking soup. Sarah sat next to him, chin in her hands, smiling. "Is it good, Nate?" "Yeah," Nate nodded, a gentle smile on his face that I rarely saw. "It's really good." "Chloe, why aren't you having any? Dieting?" Sarah smiled sweetly. "You already have a great body. My cooking is really good, you should try it." I looked at them blankly. "No thanks." 3 The next morning, the smell of food woke me up. I walked into the living room. Sarah was wearing an apron, laughing with Nate at the table. "Chloe, you're up! We didn't want to wake you. Come eat." I had to admit, Sarah could cook. The table was full of dishes that looked and smelled amazing. Nate looked at me. "Sarah's a great cook. Try this." Sarah immediately put some beef on Nate’s plate. "Try the stir-fry, Nate. It's my specialty." "It's delicious." "Eat more then." Sarah glanced at me while serving him. "Chloe doesn't cook much, does she?" "She can't cook to save her life," Nate said. "She grew up spoiled. Never touched a stove." Sarah pursed her lips. "Yeah, you can tell Chloe was pampered. Unlike me. I started cooking when I was five." A flash of pity crossed Nate’s eyes. In the morning light, they looked like the happy couple. I was the intruder. Sarah looked at me. "Chloe, I feel so bad imposing on you guys. If you didn't take me in, I'd have nowhere to go. I don't have much, but let me do the chores and cooking while I'm here. You guys work hard, you should come home to a hot meal." I cut her off. "No need. When are you leaving?" Sarah’s smile froze. She twisted the apron in her hands. "I... Chloe, can I stay a few more days? I don't have anywhere else." Nate frowned. "Chloe, what are you saying? Where is she supposed to go?" I kept my voice even. "It's inconvenient having a third person here. I'll lend you money. Go to a hotel." Nate looked annoyed but didn't argue. Sarah’s eyes reddened. She forced a pained smile. "Okay, Chloe. I know I'm a burden. Just one more night. Please. I'll leave tomorrow." I got a call from Nate’s mom just as my meeting ended. "Chloe, I just talked to Nate. He sounds sick. He has a fever. You know he can't take care of himself. Can you go check on him?" I agreed. I was worried. Nate was a man-child when it came to self-care. He probably didn't know Tylenol from Tic Tacs. I bought porridge and medicine on my way home. When I opened the door, I smelled rice porridge. The living room was empty. I heard voices from the bedroom. I put my things down and walked quietly to the door, peering through the crack. Nate was in bed. Sarah was sitting on the edge, placing a wet towel on his forehead. Nate looked flushed. He murmured, "I can do it myself. Don't trouble yourself." Sarah laughed softly. "Why are you so polite all of a sudden? I used to take care of you like this all the time when we were kids. "By the way, why didn't you tell Chloe you were sick? Doesn't she take care of you?" Nate frowned slightly. "She's not like you. She doesn't do this kind of stuff." Sarah lowered her head. "I can't compare to Chloe. She's so pretty, so successful. I'm only good at... domestic things. "But my mom says women don't need to be so ambitious. Men are naturally stronger. If I were lucky enough to have a boyfriend as amazing as you, like Chloe does, I'd take care of him perfectly. He wouldn't have to lift a finger." She sighed. "Nate, working and worrying about the house... you must be tired." Nate’s eyes flickered. He said nothing. "I really feel for you. You carry so much." Sarah picked up the bowl and offered him a spoonful. "You're sick and Chloe still went to work. If I were her, I wouldn't leave you. "Do you remember when you were sick before? You were so picky. You wouldn't eat anything with flavor. I learned to make this plain porridge just for you." Nate looked at the porridge, lost in thought. "I remember. You burned your hand making it. You wouldn't even tell me until I saw the blisters." His usually sharp features softened. "It's been a long time. Taste it. Is it still the same?" Nate paused. "You never made this for Jason?" Sarah’s smile faded. "No. I never did this for him." "Why?" "Because..." Sarah looked up at Nate, blushing. "Because I don't love him." Nate frowned. "Then why are you with him?" Silence filled the room. Finally, Sarah spoke. "To make you mad. We were fine, and then you got with Chloe and stopped hanging out with me. I dated him out of spite." Nate looked conflicted. His voice was raspy. "Why bother?" "Yeah. I regret it." Sarah laughed bitterly. "Too late now." I stood outside the door, feeling a cold irony wash over me. So that was it. Sarah had always followed Nate around in high school. I thought they were just friends. Turns out, I was the clueless one. I took her in, and she’s confessing her love to my boyfriend in my bed. I pushed the door open. "Why are you still here?" 4 "Sorry! Sorry!" Sarah jumped up in panic. The bowl tipped over, spilling scalding hot porridge all over her wrist. She hissed in pain, eyes watering. "I just saw Nate was sick and wanted to help. I'm leaving right now!" Nate grabbed her uninjured hand, glaring at me. "Chloe, are you done? It's late at night! Where is she supposed to go? If something happens to her, can you live with that?" I scoffed. "If she doesn't leave, is she going to sleep here with you? Fine. I'll leave. Am I interrupting something?" Nate’s face changed. He fell silent. Sarah sniffled. "Chloe, Nate, don't fight because of me. It's my fault. I'll go." Nate’s fingers twitched, but he didn't stop her. ... I drove Sarah to the nearest luxury hotel and watched her check in. "I know you and Nate are old friends," I said. "But you're both in relationships. Boundaries exist for a reason." Sarah didn't respond. As I turned to leave, she called out. "Chloe. Do you really think you and Nate are compatible?" I looked back. She had dropped the timid act. She looked at me with a strange defiance. "He's sick and you can't even make him porridge. Can you really take care of him?" I laughed. "You're confused. I didn't get lucky by dating him. I gave him the chance to be my boyfriend. "He should be the one worrying about taking care of me."
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