My Ex-Boyfriend Regretted It After We Broke Up Chapter 3

Dawn was breaking as he stood at the door, holding a thermos full of food.

"Chloe, I have to fly to Europe next week. I’ll squeeze some time out this Saturday to have dinner with your parents in the Hamptons. We can discuss the wedding details..."

"No need," I interrupted.

Julian paused, stunned. "What do you mean?"

I smiled and lied. "They went to Florida for a vacation. They aren't back yet."

He stared at me intensely, seemingly wanting to say more, but his phone rang.

He immediately answered it and slammed the door shut in his haste to leave.

Friday. My last day.

I had just walked out of the office building holding a cardboard box when Julian pulled up and dragged me into his car without explanation.

We ended up at a three-star Michelin steakhouse. Julian cut my filet mignon for me and asked, "Which wine do you want? Cabernet or Merlot?"

I scrolled through my phone, bored. "You decide."

My indifference made his handsome face darken. "Who are you texting?"

"No one."

Even after I answered, he domineeringly snatched my phone away.

He scrolled through it for a while, his eyes unreadable. "When did you change your lock screen?"

For years, my wallpaper had been a photo of us on New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

Now, it was a picture of my parents' Golden Retriever.

I didn't bother explaining. I just got up to go to the restroom.

When I came back, Julian wasn't at the table.

Suddenly, the restaurant lights dimmed.

Waiters pushed a cart with flowers and a cake with lit candles toward me.

The cart stopped at the table next to mine.

A moment later, my phone lit up.

It was an automated birthday text from Verizon.

I walked out of the restaurant onto the terrace. I heard a familiar, sugary voice.

"Wow~ Julian, you’re so strong! Can you push me higher?"

It was Sienna. She was sitting on a decorative swing, screaming in excitement as she demanded Julian push her.

She got too greedy. She lost her balance and fell right into his arms.

They looked at each other and laughed, holding each other tightly for a long moment before they noticed me.

Julian’s eyes flashed with annoyance. He looked at me with a blank expression.

"Chloe! This swing is so fun, come join us..."

Mid-sentence, Sienna’s face flushed red. She shyly lowered her arms from around Julian’s neck.

"Chloe, please don't misunderstand! Julian only hugged me to save me..."

Julian rubbed Sienna’s hair affectionately, gazing at her with deep emotion.

"Silly girl, what is there to explain? As long as you aren't hurt."

After comforting her, he turned his cold gaze to me.

"You're done eating already?"

I ignored him and walked toward the amusement park on the Santa Monica Pier nearby.

I’d heard that if you make a wish on the Ferris wheel on your birthday, it comes true.

Watching me walk away, Sienna’s eyes flashed with mockery. She quickly grabbed Julian’s hand and followed.

"Wow, a Ferris wheel! Jules, I want to ride that too..."

When the staff said there were only two VIP seats left, Julian didn't even look at me.

He took Sienna’s hand and grabbed the last seats.

Twenty minutes later.

When the ride finished, he searched the entire pier, but I was gone.

8 PM.

I walked out of the bedroom with my suitcase.

I placed a note under the house key on the counter: [We are done.]

I walked out of the luxury apartment without looking back.

...

At 11 PM, my phone rang.

It was Julian.

I was in my parents' living room in the suburbs, chatting with them, so I didn't see it.

An hour later, he called again.

I silenced the screen, turned off the phone, and went to sleep.

I slept until noon the next day. When I restarted my phone, I was surprised to see dozens of missed calls.

Acting on a hunch, I opened WhatsApp.

Julian, usually so aloof, had sent a string of messages:

[What is the meaning of the key and the note?]

[Just because I forgot your birthday? Ignoring calls, not replying to texts... do you think this hard-to-get game is fun?]

[Chloe, I’m giving you one hour to get your ass back here, or don't ever come back.]

I checked the timestamp of the last message. It was sent three hours ago.

I let out a long breath of relief.

I tapped the screen and blocked Julian’s number.

There was a knock on my door.

My mother came in with a glass of hot milk. "Chloe, your stomach acts up easily. Drink this while it's warm."

I had come home last night with luggage, but my parents hadn't asked a single question. They just cared for me as they always did.

I hugged my mother’s arm and sniffled. "Mom, I found a small apartment in the city. It’s not big, but it’s enough to keep me safe."

Mom smiled warmly. "Then buy it. How much do you need? I’ll cover it."

I shook my head, indicating my savings were enough, but she transferred $50,000 to me anyway.

She said a woman with a home and savings has true confidence.

I immediately contacted the real estate agent to sign the contract on Monday.

That night, Dad grilled BBQ in the backyard and bought an ice cream cake to celebrate my belated birthday.

I clasped my hands before the candles and made a sincere wish.

I wished for my parents' health and for everything to get better.

But shortly after blowing out the candles, I received a message I never expected.