Chapter 2

We had never said the word *breakup*. I couldn’t remember the last fight. I only remembered slamming a door while Jack went back to his lab.

That night, he came home with the milk tea he’d promised. I didn’t drink it. He didn’t ask why.

We became polite roommates who took turns replacing the trash bag.

One evening I stood outside his office while he laughed gently with someone on a video call. I went in for my charger. On the screen was his student, Lily Chen. He nodded at me and went straight back to her presentation.

In bed, a pillow’s width separated us. I watched the back of his head and wondered whether he’d turn around if I spoke.

By morning, he was gone. Breakfast sat on the table with a note: *Meeting tonight. Don’t wait for dinner.*

The server came by with a pot of broth. She mentioned our couples’ membership card was about to expire.

Before I could answer, the bell above the door jingled.

Jack walked in with Lily. She wore a camera around her neck and tugged at his sleeve.

“Stand by the light, Professor. I need a picture.”

“You’ve been working too hard. You look thinner,” he said.

She laughed. “You’ve spent three years helping me. I had to celebrate my award with you.”

Then she glanced at him. “Isn’t today your anniversary with Anna? Is she okay with this?”

“She knows I’m busy,” he said. “She won’t mind.”

He finally saw me. “Anna. You’re here.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Having hot pot.”

It was our tenth anniversary. Neither of us had remembered.