3
My mom gently patted my hand, saying, “We
were too busy working when you were
growing up, we didn’t look after you properly.
And now you’re all grown up. Luckily, you’re
so independent and strong. I’m proud, but
also guilty, we failed as parents.”
“Now that Dad and I are retired, we can help
you with Leo. We’ve saved up for all these
<
years, so that you can do whatever you want
and have the confidence to stand on your
own. You don’t need to rely on anyone.
33
My mom’s words were a wake–up call.
Depend on yourself. Never rely on anyone, not
even a man.
When I decided to open my own private
practice, Jake called. “Stop being stubborn,
okay? It was just a birthday party, we’ll do it
again, can’t we?”
I hung up.
We can redo the party, but can we fix a
broken marriage?
Especially when we have his “star” separating
く
Her “star” was a constant reminder of the
difference between love and settling.
Chloe somehow got my number and added
me on social media, and immediately posted
a picture of Jake sitting on our living room.
sofa, eyes closed, relaxing. She made a heart
sign with her hands in front of the camera.
The caption:
“Always coming back to you.”
The photo showed the edge of the unmade
bed in our bedroom. I scoffed, disgusted, also
noting that Jake’s taste was terrible.
My phone started buzzing. Chloe sent me a
string of screenshots.
So many, all of them showing Jake’s
く
Him, crying, begging Chloe not to break up
with him, asking her what he did wrong,
offering to give up his promising career here,
and go abroad with her.
And Chloe’s response, short and dismissive,
“Can you just get over it?”
Jake, “I know your birthday’s coming up, I got
you a gift, please don’t break up with me?”
He was groveling, and completely, happily, in
love.
I suddenly felt like I was the one who was
cheap.
Because at that moment, I remembered my
birthday in senior year of college.
く
Jake didn’t get me a gift, didn’t say happy
birthday, didn’t even send a quick text.
He said he forgot. I had set up a special
reminder on his phone, though.
I tried to break up with him. He said, without
hesitation, “Stop it, I’m busy right now.”
My one–sided breakup lasted a week. He
called me back, finally.
It was ten in the evening. He asked me to
wait for him at the campus gate.
I put on my coat and walked outside. It had
snowed all day, the accumulation was nearly
up to my knees.
I tripped and fell twice, finally reaching the
<
I waited on the side of the road for half an
hour before he finally showed up.
After staring at me for a while, he sighed,
opened his jacket, and pulled me into a hug.
Then he kissed me, forehead to forehead.
The snow fell around us. He kissed me gently
and thoroughly.
My anger faded away the instant his nose
touched mine.
After I had calmed down, he rested his chin
on my shoulder, with a hint of trying to get
back on my good side. “I don’t like chatting
online, it’s hard to explain things. If you miss
me, just call me. I’ll be there within two
hours.”
L
Back then, I thought he loved me.
But would he have let Chloe stand outside in
the freezing cold waiting for him for thirty
minutes?
He doesn’t love me.
He just wanted a place to put the feelings he
had for Chloe.
I was that place.
Chloe texted:→
“Sweetie, you’re Sunny, haven’t you ever
considered that he’s using you as a
replacement? I know you and Jake have a kid,
but that doesn’t matter. Jake’s child is going
to be my child.”
L
I choked back a gag and typed five words
into the screen:
“Are you for real?”
Your mom hasn’t even died yet and you’re
already trying to be my kid’s stepmom?
Please.
