Chapter1

I struggled to open my eyes in the emergency room.

Before the doctor could speak, Xavier's cold questioning came through.

"Ariella, was it necessary? Just because I took Chloe back to the city first, you threatened me with your life on purpose?"

"I've told you countless times, I only see Chloe as a sister. Can't you stop being so petty?"

Xavier stared at me with cold, disdainful eyes, his face full of disgust.

Thinking back to the trip that was supposed to be relaxing, I still felt a chill.

It was supposed to be just Xavier and me taking a break together.

But right before we left, his childhood friend, Chloe insisted on coming along.

I wasn't happy about it, but I didn't want to ruin the mood, so I reluctantly agreed.

As we drove along a mountain road, the car suddenly broke down.

There was no signal in the mountains, and hardly any cars passed by.

We saw on the map that there was a village nearby, so we decided to cut through the forest to find help.

But the fog suddenly thickened, and we got lost.

To make things worse, I sprained my ankle.

Xavier left me alone in the mountains, saying he couldn't carry someone who was limping through the forest.

He went with his friend to find help, promising to come back for me.

I waited desperately until nightfall, hearing terrifying animal sounds from the forest.

I couldn't wait any longer and hobbled forward, only to step into thin air and fall off a cliff.

Luckily, a small tree broke my fall.

I climbed up, battered and exhausted, and passed out from the cold.

It wasn't until the next morning that a villager found me.

They helped me contact the rescue team, and I barely escaped with my life.

Now, in his eyes, it was all a ploy to threaten him.

"Xavier, I didn't... I really..."

My voice was so hoarse I could barely speak.

"Enough! If you're not dead, stop pretending. Chloe still needs me to take care of her. Take care of yourself."

Xavier left without looking back, his cold figure quickly disappearing.

Tears of frustration welled up in my eyes.

This was the boyfriend I had chased after for eight years, always playing the fool for him.

Three years of high school, four years of college, one year of work. Eight years in total.

Despite everyone's objections, I had stubbornly, shamelessly loved him.

And what did I get in return? He treated me like I was nothing.

Eight years couldn't compare to a single finger of his childhood friend.

Chapter2

I stayed in the hospital for a week, but Xavier never visited.

Instead, I saw Chloe and him flaunting their relationship on social media every day.

"Xavier is so sweet. He made me a heart-shaped lunch again!"

"I just got a little scratch on my forehead, and Xavier is so worried. He's the best."

At first, I checked every day to see what new ways they would show off.

But the more I saw, the more it hurt, so I stopped looking.

I quietly checked myself out of the hospital and took a cab home.

The house was covered in dust, proof that Xavier hadn't been home all week.

I didn't have the energy to clean up, so I just threw a sheet over the couch and lay down.

On the way home, I bought a new phone and got a replacement SIM card.

My previous phone had fallen off the cliff, and I didn't think I'd ever get it back.

As soon as I inserted the new SIM card, Xavier's call came through, his voice angry and demanding.

"Ariella, what the hell are you doing? I've called you a thousand times, and you didn't answer!"

Xavier had a quick temper, exploding at the slightest inconvenience.

I had endured his outbursts for eight years, and I couldn't count how many times I had been hurt.

In the past, whenever he got angry, I would panic and try everything to appease him.

But this time, I felt a strange calm.

Maybe this was what they meant by "nothing hurts more than a dead heart."

"My previous phone fell off the cliff. I just got a new one today."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.

Maybe he was surprised by how calm I was. I asked him again, "What do you want?"

Xavier's voice was full of surprise and discomfort.

"You checked out without telling me, and I went to the hospital for nothing."

"I bought you a limited-edition diamond necklace before. Where did you put it? Chloe wants to wear it to the jewelry show tomorrow. I'm going with her."

My heart clenched.

That necklace was a token of our relationship when we first got together.

It didn't cost much eight years ago, but now it was worth a lot since it was a one-of-a-kind piece by a famous designer.

But to me, it was priceless.

It symbolized my unique love for Xavier.

It was my whole youth and my dreams.

But now, with just a few words, he wanted to give it to another woman.

Chapter3

I held back my emotions, on the verge of breaking down.

"If you really think that necklace can be shared with another woman, then fine. Come pick it up tomorrow. I'm tired today."

"I'll come tonight. I'm worried I won't have time tomorrow."

Xavier hung up the phone hastily, leaving me with empty eyes.

Just a moment ago, I had foolishly hoped he was calling because he was worried about me.

I really was pathetic.

Tears fell from my eyes.

My new phone slipped from my hand and hit the ground with a loud crack.

The screen shattered just like our already broken love.

I buried my face in the couch and cried.

I cried for my youth, for the eight years of so-called love that wasn't worth it.

When I was too exhausted to cry anymore, I fell asleep without realizing it.

I was awakened by the sound of drawers being ransacked in the bedroom.

I struggled to get up and walked into the bedroom.

Xavier paused slightly as he searched for something.

"I saw you were asleep when I came in. I didn't mean to wake you."

I didn't respond, silently taking the necklace out of the drawer and handing it to him.

"Give it to her."

Xavier looked surprised, then let out a cold snort.

"In the past, if I wanted to give your something to Chloe, you'd throw a fit. Why are you suddenly so sensible? What are you planning?"

I dragged my weak body and forced a mocking smile.

"Do I look like I have the strength or the will to plan anything right now?"

Xavier glared at me, grabbing the necklace from my hand and storming out.

"This is for the best. If you had been half as thoughtful as Chloe, we wouldn't be arguing all the time."

The door slammed shut. Xavier was gone, off to dote on his childhood friend.

It was laughable. He acted just like I used to in front of him.

A little lapdog, doing everything to make the one they love happy.