But this time, I just looked up some foreign
recipes and started practicing. I needed to
く
Later, lying in bed, I saw Sarah’s Instagram
post: “Another birthday, another gift from
you. Thank you for always being there.”
The comments were filled with well–wishes
from Ethan’s friends. “So sweet! Seeing
Sarah happy makes me happy,” one wrote.
I scrolled through the likes. All of Ethan’s
friends had liked the post. They’d always
looked down on me, thinking I was the wedge.
between Ethan and Sarah, convinced he’d be
happier without me. Looking at the Instagram
post, I realized they weren’t wrong.
Ethan had commented: “Happy birthday, my
princess.”
I stared blankly at their sickeningly sweet
exchange. One of Ethan’s friends commented:
<
“Don’t post too much, man. Olivia might see it.
and flip out.”
Before, I’d gently asked Ethan to keep some
distance from Sarah, to be mindful of
appearances. His friends had called me
jealous and controlling, saying I was
suffocating him. Ethan had agreed, telling me
I needed to be more “open–minded.”
This time, I just closed the app, scrolled
through TikTok, and fell asleep.
Ethan woke me up when he got home.
“Olivia!” he yelled. “Your boyfriend’s out all
night and you don’t even bother to check in?
My friends‘ girlfriends call them constantly.
What’s your deal?”
I stared at him, confused. I’d done this before,
く
and he’d said, “I’m in a relationship, not
prison. Please give me some space. I can’t
breathe.” Now I wasn’t calling, and he was
complaining. I couldn’t figure out what he
wanted.
But I didn’t bring up the past. I simply replied,
“Why would I keep calling you when you’re
out with friends? You and Sarah are all
friends, I have nothing to worry about.”
Ethan looked stunned, probably shocked I’d
mentioned Sarah so calmly. Then, he seemed
to understand. “That post was just a friendly
gesture, nothing more. Don’t overthink it,” he
explained.
I shook my head, about to speak, but he cut
me off. “Or do you think I shouldn’t have gone
to Sarah’s birthday? We’ve known each other
<
for ten years. We dated briefly, but now we’re
just good friends. It was the right thing to
do.”
