Chapter 3

After the real estate agent came to view the property, he gave me a rough estimate.

"If you're in a rush to sell, the price will be a bit below market value. Is that acceptable?"

I didn't hesitate. "Yes. I need it sold fast."

After seeing the agent out, I noticed Zoe's account had posted something new.

I tapped on it.

This time, it wasn't Zoe on camera. It was Ryan.

In the video, Zoe's voice was cheerful.

"Come see today's lunch—prepared by the handsome Ryan himself."

"I suppose I'll manage some expectations."

She narrated while filming Ryan cooking.

Most of the time, the camera was pointed directly at Ryan's face.

Ryan didn't like being filmed. He didn't like cooking either.

So my camera had never been pointed at him.

When neither of us had time to cook, we'd just order delivery.

Seven years, and that had never changed.

Riding the wave of couple content with Ryan, Zoe's followers quickly climbed to four million.

Looking at her page—from the couple videos to the solo videos of Ryan—I finally realized just how obvious his double standard had been all along.

I didn't finish watching. I closed out of the app.

When I switched back to my main account, my phone lagged for a moment.

My DMs were filled with ridicule and insults. Even without opening them, I could guess how ugly the messages were.

I glanced at my follower count.

In just three days, I'd lost over three million.

Originally, I'd created this account to document my life with Ryan.

But Ryan wouldn't have it.

He said he didn't like putting his private life on the internet.

So eventually, I pivoted to travel content.

I loved documenting different cities, different landscapes, loved uncovering the history and stories behind each place.

My followers had built up little by little, exactly that way.

And it was probably because of that—me being so busy, always away—that Ryan and I constantly fought.

He complained I was never home.

So I decided to pause my work at the peak of my career. To stay with him. To go public with him.

And he turned around and started making couple content with Zoe.

My phone buzzed.

I snapped back to reality and saw Ryan's message.

"Emma, I'm going to Seattle with Zoe to film a video. About a week. I'll bring you back a gift."

Before I could reply, another message came through—a voice note.

It wasn't his voice. It was Zoe's.

She said, all giggly:

"Emma, don't worry. I promise I'll keep an eye on him and make sure no other girls get their hooks in."

"But this trip is a couple's travel vlog, so we might have to share a room. Hope you don't mind. But relax—we're just friends."

I curled my lip in a sneer and didn't reply.

Shortly after, Ryan's call came through.

The moment I picked up, his impatient voice hit my ear.

"Didn't you see the message? Why didn't you reply?"

He didn't even ask if I was busy.

His very first words were an accusation.

I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, the sound of an airport boarding announcement reached me from his end.

That's when I realized—he wasn't asking for my opinion.

He'd simply remembered, at the last second, that he should let me know.

His words came rapid-fire: "Zoe and I are heading to Seattle to shoot a video. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I'll bring you something back. Gotta go."

I opened my mouth.

"Ryan, let's break u—"

The call was already disconnected.