Romance, Going Solo

The team-building activity was a hike.

All the way up, Everly stayed close to Jeremy, handing him water and wiping his sweat.

Their colleagues teased them.

"Mr. Steward, this intern is more attentive than an assistant!"

Jeremy waved it off with a smile. "She's young and thin-skinned. Please don't joke around like this. My girlfriend's right here."

He glanced back at me, a hint of warning in his eyes, telling me to be understanding.

I walked behind them, watching coldly.

...

Halfway up the mountain, Everly suddenly slipped and fell.

"Ow… It hurts…" She clutched her ankle, eyes brimming with tears.

Jeremy rushed over almost instinctively, crouching down to check on her.

"What's wrong? Did you twist it?"

The concern in his voice was impossible to hide.

"I think it's swollen… I can't walk."

She bit her lip, looking up at him pitifully.

Without hesitation, Jeremy turned his back to her and crouched down.

"Get on. I'll carry you."

The surrounding colleagues exchanged awkward looks.

After all, his 'official girlfriend' was standing right there.

Jeremy seemed to realize it, too. He turned toward me.

"Sabrina, she's injured. We can't just leave her here. You're in good shape. Can you help me carry the bags?"

As he spoke, he tossed both his and Everly's backpacks to me.

They landed heavily in my hands.

I watched as he lifted Everly onto his back.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder.

As they passed me, she glanced at me.

Her eyes were full of smug triumph.

I stood there, watching their retreating figures, and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of irony.

Three months ago, I had acute appendicitis.

When I called Jeremy, he said he was in a meeting and told me to go to the hospital myself.

I had surgery and ended up staying in the hospital for three days.

He came once, stayed for ten minutes, then left.

"The company's busy. You're an adult. You can take care of yourself."

So it was not that he did not know how to care for someone.

He just did not care for me.

I tossed the two backpacks into the bushes by the side of the path.

Dusting off my hands, I turned and walked down the mountain.

A message from Jeremy popped up.

[Why didn't you follow us? Where are the bags?]

I sent a reply.

[Too heavy. I threw them away.]

...

When I got home, I started packing.

The apartment lease was in both of our names, but most of the rent and living expenses were paid by me.

I folded my clothes and packed them into my suitcase.

As for the things I had given him: the expensive watch, limited-edition sneakers, carefully chosen ties... I found a large box and stuffed them all inside.

Then, I called for a same-city courier and sent the box to a secondhand resale shop.

...

After that, I made a phone call.

"Help me investigate all of Jeremy's expenses over the past six months."

Accounts of love could not be settled clearly between individuals. However, money-wise... Well, I could make things crystal clear about that.

Half an hour later, a detailed bank statement was sent to my phone.

I opened it.

The more I scrolled, the colder I felt.

Line after line of transactions, all were transfers to Everly.

[November 11: Transfer of 1000 dollars.]

[December 1: Luxury jewelry store spending of 2000 dollars.]

[December 24: Hot spring hotel suite booking for 700 dollars.]

Even Everly's daily rides and food deliveries were paid through a family card linked to Jeremy.

I laughed in anger, the last trace of warmth in my eyes completely gone.

...

That night, when Jeremy came home, he immediately noticed something was wrong.

The cozy apartment had turned cold and empty.

Everything that belonged to me was gone.

He looked unsettled.

He turned to me and asked, "Sabrina… What's going on? Are you going on a trip?"

I sat on the sofa and looked up at him.

"Jeremy, let's break up."