Chapter 1

Anderson forgot my birthday for the third time.

I didn’t throw a fit. I just cooked my favorite meal by myself.

I bought the ice cream cake I usually wouldn’t let myself get.

As if celebrating this ordinary birthday that nobody cared about.

But after I took a shower and came out of the bathroom, ready to slowly enjoy it—

I found that the food I’d spent three hours making had all been packed into containers by Anderson.

The cake next to it was smashed and unrecognizable.

He noticed me standing there.

Without looking up, he said, “Mia hasn’t eaten all day. She had a low blood sugar attack. I’m taking some food over to her. Don’t wait up for me.”

I watched his back as he walked out.

At that moment, I was absolutely sure.

I was never going to wait for him again.

Right after Anderson left, the landlady showed up.

She stood at the door and glanced inside.

“The lease for this apartment ends at the end of this month,” she said, puzzled. “Are you renewing or moving out? Let me know soon. If you’re moving, I need to post the rental notice early.”

Last month I’d asked Anderson: renew the lease or find a new place?

Back then, he’d been looking down at his phone, replying to Mia’s messages with serious attention.

When he finally looked up at me, his face was full of obvious impatience.

“Whatever. You decide.”

Remembering that, I told the landlady, “We’re not renewing. We’ll move out by the end of the month.”

“As for the security deposit, you can send it to Anderson. No need to give it to me.”

When we first moved in, Anderson paid the rent.

He also paid the deposit.

Giving it back to him was only fair.

But the landlady looked confused.

“You two are about to get married—why are you still keeping money so separate? Giving it to him or to you is the same thing!”

I smiled and didn’t say anything.

The landlady got the answer she wanted and turned to leave.

Before she left, she reminded me, “Take everything with you when you move. Don’t leave anything behind for the next tenant.”

I nodded and said okay.

I did the math: today was the 28th.

Only three days left until moving day.

I thought for a moment, then contacted the real estate agent I’d used before to find a new place.

The agent replied quickly. “Still a three-bedroom? Any other requirements?”

“Two bedrooms would be fine. I’ll be living alone.”

After I sent that message, the agent took a long time to reply.

Just five words: “You guys broke up?”

Seeing the word “broke up” made me pause.

When I first got together with Anderson, I never thought we would break up.

I used to daydream about our future every single day.

Now, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d imagined a future with him.

I didn’t reply. The agent sent another message: “Need a moving company? I know a reliable one.”

“Yes.”

“When are you moving?”

I thought for a moment. “Three days from now.”

Three days from now, the lease would be up.

Perfect timing to leave Anderson for good.

After I settled the moving date and rental requirements, I hung up and started packing.

But then Anderson called.

“Mia said the food you made was really good. Her stomach’s a little upset right now. Can you make her some light soup and bring it over?”

Before I could answer, he added, “No onions. She can’t handle them.”

I was silent for two seconds.

Then I asked him softly, “Anderson, do you know what day it is today?”

We’d been together for five years.

He’d celebrated my birthday twice.

The first time, he took me to Disneyland. At midnight, during the most beautiful fireworks, he confessed his love again with a necklace shaped like a true love heart.

The second time, I was on a business trip. He dropped everything, flew over, and brought a handmade cake. That day, he said something sweeter than sugar: “Laura, no matter where you are, if you need me, I’ll always show up.”

But in the third year of our relationship, he forgot my birthday.

He only remembered.

On my birthday.

May 30th—his and Mia’s anniversary of meeting.

Just as I expected.

Anderson didn’t hesitate. He blurted out, “Today’s the twenty-third anniversary of the day Mia and I first met. Why?”