When Julian knew that Kevin and I were going to the racetrack, he became unusually nervous.

His words came pouring out of the speaker.

"Babe, is Kevin giving you trouble again? Really, I gotta talk to that guy. How can he drag you to such a dangerous..."

"Julian Adler."

Hearing me call him by his full name, Julian stopped talking.

It was quiet over there, and I spoke softly.

"You know Kevin likes Brianna White, don't you?"

The breathing on the other side grew harder.

We both knew that Kevin was never supportive of our relationship.

He even led the others in the circle to isolate me.

Julian knew it, but he always asked me to be patient.

Had Julian told Kevin at any point in the past two years that I was his idol, Kevin would not have treated me like that.

Why didn't he then?

Because I couldn't get over Yvon.

He couldn't mention her himself, so he would let his friends do it for him.

He was isolating me, to save Yvon her place.

Oh well.

Julian was eager to explain, but I didn't give him the chance.

"Why did Kevin call me a pick-me girl when we first met? Said I was a gold digger? Have I ever spent a dime of your money? Were you paving the way for your reconciliation, right from the beginning?"

Julian didn't take that well.

"What was all that about? What ex, what reconciliation? Bianca, is that how you see me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a woman's excited voice followed.

"Julian, come quick, look at the fireworks!"

Julian was flustered for a bit, then lowered his voice into the microphone.

"Don't let your imagination run wild. I have something urgent to deal with. We'll talk tomorrow!"

The call was hung up, but I hadn't finished talking.

I opened the texting app and sent three words.

[Let's break up.]

I returned to my home.

My parents were traveling, so the huge house was empty.

In the middle of the night, I was woken up by the persistent ringing of my cell phone.

I saw eight missed calls on the screen, all from Julian.

And then there was the torrent of texts.

[Baby, where are you? I can explain!]

[Why did you pack everything?]

[Trust me baby, I love you.]

[Baby, can you please answer the phone? Please, give me a chance to explain.]

[I haven't been in touch with my ex. And I'll talk to Kevin.]

[Don't we have so much to do together? Baby, you can't leave me now.]

[...]

I turned off my phone.

I didn't want to waste my time listening to lies I already knew.

Early the next morning, Julian, who was leaning against my door, almost fell down when I opened it.

His clothes were all wrinkled and his face looked visibly tired.

Probably was here all night.

Seeing me, he straightened himself.

"Baby, you're up. Are you hungry? I'll get some breakfast."

"I talked to Kevin. He'll behave from now."

"And that necklace you like, I sent someone to look for it abroad. It should be here next week."

I ignored him and kept walking.

Turned out he did know what I wanted.

Why then did it take a breakup for him to take action?

He pulled me in, rubbing his brows tiredly.

"Don't you want to say anything? I told you, it's all a misunderstanding, so stop being mad for nothing, okay?"

As he spoke, his voice started to sound like he was about to cry.

"I really don't want to break up..."

I walked silently, while he followed closely behind.

After walking a few dozen meters, I stopped to ask him a question, half-smiling.

"I'm going to meet a friend, do you want to come?"

He paused for a moment, then nodded nervously.

He was afraid I would disappear again.

I said nothing and let him follow.

Because I needed him for what came next.

In the cafe, I looked around and finally locked on a seat.

There was a woman with short hair sitting there.

It was Yvon.

Following my gaze, Julian froze where he stood.

He was ready to retreat.

But I grabbed him and stopped him from leaving.

"What? Aren't you coming too?"

Julian hissed through his teeth, "What is the meaning of this?"

I just smiled faintly and led him over, my fingers firm around his.

Julian and I sat down opposite Yvon.

Yvon looked puzzled, hesitated for a few seconds, then asked, "Excuse me, are you the person who asked to meet me offline?"

I saw her livestream again last night.

The screen was full of fireworks that Julian set off for her.

I DMed her, arranged a time and address, and came up with an excuse to meet in person.

I nodded for a reply.

Next to me, Julian wasn't looking so good.

She smiled, her eyes glued to Julian.

"What a coincidence, we both know Julian."

I also smiled and nodded.

"Yes." I turned to look at Julian.

"Your girlfriend won't mind you coming to meet us alone, will she?"

Julian didn't say anything but just stared at me, his thin lips pursed into a line.

I was waiting.

Waiting for his answer.

And I was curious how he would introduce me to his girlfriend in the dark here.

I could feel his fists clenching under the table.

The heavy atmosphere was broken by Yvon's chuckle.

"What girlfriend? He's a loner!"

There went our two years of relationship.

I needed his confirmation, so I asked him with a smile, "Is that so?"

He hastily avoided my eyes.

He lowered his head and stared at the coffee in front of him in a daze, pretending he heard nothing.

I forcefully broke the silence.

"Answer!"

Under the table, he tugged at the corner of my shirt, as if begging.

Begging for me to stop.

But I wouldn't. I kept staring at him.

We were in a staring contest for a while.

Finally, he closed his eyes and answered through his teeth, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Yes."

Once again, between the two of us, he chose to please her.

I started clapping and laughing, until tears covered my face.

I was ready to end two years of being a fool.

Julian's eyes reddened as he laughed along.

He knew it was over between us.

Yvon didn't know what we were laughing at, but she smiled along politely.

None of us was having any fun, but everyone was laughing.

Everyone was laughing for some reason.

Then I stopped, quickly stood up and extended my hand to Yvon.

"Hello, let me introduce myself properly. I'm Bianca..."

"Bianca..."

Julian stood up nervously and tried to stop me.

But it was too late.

"...Julian's ex who he broke up with yesterday."