Never Again in Another Life

Mateo had posted about us on social media, so I hadn't thought much of it.

Then one day, he handed me his phone to pay the bills. I saw that post and found it was visible only to me.

Turned out, he had faked it the whole time. His love for me was nothing but a show.

The doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts.

I opened the door, expecting Mary. It wasn't her, but Mateo.

I looked at him but didn't feel a thing. I said firmly, "We're over. I'm not getting back to you."

He was already on edge, and my words lit a fuse.

He slammed my favorite mac and cheese on the entryway table, grabbed my hand, and stared me down.

"Say that again," he growled. "What do you mean by that? You're an orphan, and I'm the only one in this world who cares about you."

I shook him off and stepped back.

"You dumped me first," I said, tearing up.

He couldn't bear to see me cry. He cooled off and took my hand, trying to coax me.

"Don't cry. That will wrinkle your face. I only suggested breaking up because her parents asked. I'm still your guy. I just need to step away for a bit, okay?" he said softly, pulling me to the couch.

His soothing voice lulled me to sleep, but my symptoms felt worse.

I only half-heard him whispering that it wasn't his choice. Their parents were tight, and they had begged him to help.

Besides, Sophie was his childhood friend. He couldn't sit by.

I bought it, but his lies were short-lived.

One day, I went to his office and saw a black car parked downstairs. It was Mateo's.

A girl lounged in the driver's seat, scrolling her phone.

When Mateo came down, she honked. He smiled and walked over with brisk steps.

Sophie rolled down the window, tilted her chin up, and demanded a kiss. He leaned in and planted one on her lips.

They acted like no one else existed. They didn't even notice me.

Something in me shattered.

Sophie grinned, "Hop in. I'm taking you for a spin."

Mateo climbed in without a second thought. That side of him was something I had never seen before.

Seeing his true colors made my skin crawl. It was hard to believe someone could play the perfect boyfriend for four whole years.

I started to doubt that our breakup was really about Sophie's depression. Maybe he was just done with me and used her as an excuse.

He had been in love with her all along, playing me like a fool.

It all clicked. The other day, he'd rushed to dump me so that he could rekindle things with his old flame.

I tore up a referral letter from some big-shot client, saying goodbye to the fake past.