At the bonfire gathering, my girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend shared a heartfelt duet, singing a love song that echoed with regret.

As they finished, their eyes locked in an intense gaze, drawing the attention of our mutual friends, who looked at me with a mix of pity and mockery.

I applauded them, leading the chant. "Give each other a kiss!"

——

On the seventh anniversary of our relationship, Ariana Lovato suggested a camping trip.

Surprisingly, she rarely remembered such milestones, so I was quite pleased.

However, upon arriving at the campsite, I realized it wasn't just the two of us; many old classmates were there too.

And to my dismay, Matt Depp, Ariana's ex-boyfriend, was among them.

Seven years ago, on this very day, they were in a flirtatious phase, not yet officially together.

It was the day Ariana wanted to confess her feelings, but Matt chose to break up instead.

It was also the day she called me, asking if I liked her, to which I replied affirmatively.

That led to her becoming my girlfriend.

We had truly loved each other, as the look of love was hard to conceal.

However, everything had changed since Matt's recent return.

Ariana began neglecting me over matters concerning Matt. Any inquiry from me was met with accusations of pettiness and distrust.

In the end, the blame always fell on me.

Yet, when I saw Matt at the bonfire, instead of anger, an unexpected calm washed over me.

Matt stood by the fire, saying, "Thanks for joining us on mine and Ariana's seventh breakup anniversary."

Everyone cheered as if I, the legitimate boyfriend, didn't exist.

They always saw me as the backup, believing Ariana only placed me on the wheel when Matt wasn't around, like a spare tire.

Ariana glanced at me, unconsciously releasing my hand.

She told me, "He's just joking."

I felt my hand empty, my heart too.

Not empty, but rather light.

I nodded, smiling, "I know, Matt always loved making jokes."

Then, I casually found a spot by the fire to sit.

They chatted as if I were invisible.

Someone suggested Ariana and Matt sing together.

Ariana hesitated, looking at me. "You're not angry, are you?"

Matt chuckled at me, asking, "Robert, you aren't that petty, right?"

"I'm fine with it, go ahead," I replied, sipping my beer, indifferent.

I noticed Ariana visibly relieved. It was evident that she was eager to sing with Matt.

They gazed at each other, singing a melancholic love song to mourn their past regrets.

After they finished, their eyes still locked, the affection palpable.

Others suddenly remembered my presence, looking at me with either pity or ridicule.

I chuckled, saying, "Since the mood has been built up, why not seal it with a kiss?"

The mood chilled.

Ariana's expression shifted from slight embarrassment to anger. "Robert, must you spoil the fun?"

"I wouldn't mind your duet; why get upset over my little joke?" I retorted with a smile.

"I..." Ariana was speechless.

I didn't bother saying more, opening my phone to review client data.

They all glared at me with hostility, as if blaming me for ruining the mood.

Eventually, they all left in their cars, leaving only Matt's behind.

But Ariana and Matt were nowhere to be found.

I sighed, pulling out my phone and calling her. I asked, "Did you forget about your boyfriend?"

"Sorry, Robert, Matt suddenly felt unwell, so I took him to the hospital. You can catch a ride back with someone else," Ariana explained.

"No cars left," I replied.

Ariana's voice rose sharply. "You're an adult; can't you call a cab to get home?

"Robert, stop making things difficult for me over Matt. We really have nothing going on, and this is just so disappointing!"

With that, she hung up the phone.

I shook my head with a wry smile, not particularly fazed. This was how every argument over Matt ended.

Ariana always knew she was hurting me and stepping on my dignity, but she never changed her ways. Instead, she'd turn things around and accuse me of being the problem.

Every time, she'd go cold, only thawing out when I made the first move—calling her, buying her gifts to smooth things over.

It was a pattern I was used to, and she seemed to be as well.

But this time, I felt an unexpected calm. I was surprisingly at ease, not stirred by her usual games.

We lived in a world with plenty of good people, after all. I remembered my colleague Rebecca Amore offering rides in her car after work, so I gave her a call.

She picked me up and drove me home, asking me questions about the company's business along the way.

Rebecca was actually a very interesting girl, beautiful, with a great personality, and coming from a well-off family. Despite all this, she wanted to be a truly independent woman, so she worked hard.

As I got out of the car at the entrance to my neighborhood, I saw a black Tesla parked next to me.

The passenger window rolled down, revealing Ariana's charming face. She looked puzzled as she stared at me.

I waved to Rebecca, saying, "Send me the plan for review in my email. I'll give you feedback."

"Thank you, Robert," Rebecca cheerfully said to me.

She wasn't interested in me romantically; she was just like that with everyone.

"Take care."

I nodded, watching her drive away, before turning to Ariana and asking, "You're back? Is Matt okay now?"

Ariana's expression turned cold as she looked at me for a while before saying, "Who was that girl just now?"

"She's a colleague from work, Rebecca. She drives a ridesharing car after work every day."

I chuckled.

"Couldn't you find another ride back?"

Ariana's grip on the steering wheel tightened as she asked, "Also, I saw you get out from the passenger side. It's normal for ridesharing, but who rides in the front seat if there's room elsewhere?"

"What are you insinuating?"

I was puzzled, thinking, "Ariana never used to care about my interactions with female colleagues, and I rarely associated with them.

Why the sudden jealousy?"

After taking a deep breath, Ariana replied, "Nothing."

She then drove into the neighborhood.

I had actually purchased the car, but since she said the office was too far, I let her use it.

At first, she used to give me rides to and from work, but later on, she always found excuses, claiming she'd be late or needed to work late.

I knew she was simply losing patience, but I didn't mind, or rather, I was just sulking.

Entering the room, I saw Ariana seated on the couch, still clothed, with a cold expression.

I tossed my keys on the shoe cabinet, changing into slippers. "Why haven't you changed your clothes? Are you going out again?"

Ariana seemed to have found an outlet for her anger, yelling at me, "I told you, don't meddle in my affairs!"

I looked at her in astonishment and said, "Alright, I won't interfere. Drive safely."

Then I went to take a shower and change my clothes.

When I came out, Ariana was still sprawled on the couch, engrossed in the TV.

I didn't bother with her and walked straight to the study.

Was I angry?

At that moment, I felt nothing of the sort.

What was there to be angry about?

Angry because Ariana was chasing after Matt?

It seemed pointless.

I thought it was unnecessary.

Right now, everything felt great. I could focus on my work in peace.

In the past, I was constantly on edge, monitoring her moods. The slightest hint of her unhappiness would send me scrambling to make things right.

But it wouldn't happen anymore. Now, I could do whatever I pleased, and this newfound freedom was indescribable.

I reviewed Rebecca's project plan and went through my usual grooming routine. When I emerged, Ariana was still in the living room, still wearing that frosty expression.

As soon as she noticed me, her cold gaze locked onto mine.

I chuckled, saying, "Not going out?

"If not, why not go to sleep, it's already late."

With that, I went into the bedroom.

The next thing I heard was intentional noise-making from her—stomping, slamming doors, banging on the sink, sighing loudly.

Whenever she reached a certain level of anger, she'd send me these signals, indicating I should comfort her.

But I was really tired. I no longer had to think about how to please her. As soon as my brain hit the pillow, it switched off, relaxed and sleepy.

I didn't know how much time had passed when I felt the mattress move.

I knew it was Ariana finally done with her antics.

Next, she would deliberately grab my blanket, and then, regardless of whether I had work the next day, she would pick a fight with me.

But this time, the argument didn't come.

Instead, I felt her embrace me from behind, and from the touch on my legs, I could tell she was wearing stockings.

Men did love stockings. I used to ask her to wear them for me cautiously.

However, she scolded me, calling me a pervert with twisted tastes.

Since then, I had given up on the stockings. But when Matt returned, during one dinner, he casually mentioned, "Ariana, your legs look so good; it's a shame you don't wear stockings."

That night, Ariana went on a stocking shopping spree online.

Yet, she never wore them for me.

But now, what had gotten into her?

"Robert, it's time for your dues. I'm wearing your favorite white stockings, and I've styled my hair in twin tails."

Her voice echoed behind me, her lips brushing against my shoulder.

In the past, I would have been thrilled by this attention, but now, it felt eerie.

I thought, "Was the campsite haunted, and she was possessed by a ghost?"

I could only say, "I have an important work presentation at the board meeting tomorrow. It's late, let's sleep."

Her caressing stopped, and her lips moved away.

"Robert, I've made it easy for you, don't push it too far!"

I replied wearily, "Ariana, I'm not upset, I just want to sleep. Tomorrow will be hectic."

She got out of bed, quickly dressed, and made more noise.

I glanced at her and said, "It's late, let's not argue anymore. If there's something, we'll talk tomorrow."

Ariana glared at me. "No more talking, no more issues!

"If you won't look at me in your favorite Balenciaga stockings, someone else will!"

With that, she stormed out.

I thought, "Someone else?

Matt?"

In the past, I would have gone mad.

My beloved was wearing the sexiest stockings and going to meet her ex-boyfriend, whom she cared so much about. Who dared to continue imagining that?

But now, I felt nothing.

Why?

Oh, I didn't love anymore.

That was how it was.

I drifted off to sleep without any hindrance.

However, not long after I fell asleep, my phone rang. I glanced at it; it was Ariana calling.

I had to answer, and Matt's voice was on the other end. "Robert, what's wrong with Ariana? She drank herself silly, I left without my phone, keys, or wallet, and now we're stuck at a hotel unable to pay. Do you know her payment password?"

"It's her birthday," I replied before hanging up.

I thought, "So, do they end up getting a room?"