Love Me Slowly, Lose Me Gently

After work, Scott actually called me for the very first time.

"It's your birthday today, isn't it? I made dinner reservations and got you a cake. I should give you a proper celebration this year so that people won't think that we're growing distant."

My finger hovered over the Uber app on my phone, but in the end, I still agreed.

Since we were going to break up, it'd be better if we sat down and talked it out properly.

However, it was only after I walked into the private room at the restaurant that I learned the truth. Scott wasn't only celebrating my birthday. He was also celebrating Margot's.

"Actually, my birthday is only five days after yours, but I really wanted to spend it with you, Jen. That's why I pestered Scott to include my birthday too."

Blinking innocently, Margot pointed at the cake on the table. Only half of it was left.

"That half is yours, Jen. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to finish two cakes, so I only asked Scott to get one."

Staring at half a cake on the table, I was speechless.

The buttercream on the cake looked like someone had dug into it with a fork. It was full of holes. It looked more like unfinished leftovers than anything.

I retracted my gaze and calmly turned toward Scott. "I'm not celebrating my birthday anymore. You can have the cake."

"Are you mad, Jen?" Margot grabbed my hand. Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry. I should have waited for you to arrive before cutting the cake. This is all my fault. Won't you forgive me?"

Before I could respond, she clutched her belly in pain. Her face paled, and she looked like she was about to collapse any minute.

"Jennie, watch yourself. If something happens to Margot, I won't forgive you!"

Panicking, Scott picked up the remaining cake and hurled it at me.

I didn't manage to dodge, and the cake hit me squarely in the face. Buttercream was smeared all over my cheeks, and some had even made it into my mouth.

It tasted bitter.

When Scott realized that I hadn't dodged, his expression changed. Flustered, he ran over and carefully wiped the buttercream from my face.

"How can you be so stupid, Jennie? Why didn't you try to move out of the way? Come on. Let's get you cleaned up."

It felt ironic, seeing the emotion in his eyes. I swatted his hand away.

"Don't touch me."

As soon as I said that, I decisively walked away from him.

He stood there in a daze with remorse clouding his face.