I stood frozen outside the bathroom, listening. The sounds. The closeness.

My heart just... dropped.

My hand brushed the scar on my thigh—the one from college, when I jumped in front of a car to save him.

Never thought he'd grow to hate it.

***

Jacob didn't get home until late.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, wide awake.

He didn't come straight to bed. Hit the study first.

Minutes passed. Then he slipped in beside me, pulled me into his arms.

Kissed my forehead like nothing had happened.

Only then did I shut my eyes.

A single tear slipped down.

***

I was on the phone with my parents when Sabina waltzed into the house.

"Jacob dropped me off last night. Think I left something here," she said, way too casual. "Figured I'd see how you two are doing."

She grabbed a couple's keychain off the table and smirked.

"Don't tell me you actually thought he married you for love."

Her words hit like a slap.

"Gabriel loved ME. That's why he dumped YOU. Jacob loves ME too—that's why he used you to get to ME. Stop lying to yourself."

She leaned in, voice dripping poison.

"You play innocent, but who knows how many guys you've hooked up with behind the scenes. No one's ever gonna REALLY want someone like you."

Same venom. Same Sabina.

Suddenly I was back in high school, drowning in rumors she started—dirty whispers, ruined friendships.

The girl in front of me blurred into that uniformed bully from my past.

I snapped. Shoved her—hard.

She hit the floor.

Right then, Jacob walked in.

He rushed over, cradling Sabina like she was made of glass, shielding her with his arms.

Tears welled up as she gave him the saddest look ever.

"Jacob, it's my fault. I just came to grab my stuff. I didn't think Yuna would push me. My head really hurts..."

Jacob snapped.

"Why are you so petty? Sabina's not a stranger. How could you be so cruel? No wonder she said you bullied her in high school. And she still saw you as a friend! I'm taking her to the hospital. You stay here and think about what you've done."

Then he left. Just like that. Carrying her out. Didn't even look back.

I sank to the floor.

A bitter laugh slipped out.

How deep did his loyalty run?

Whatever Sabina said, he bought it—no questions asked.

My phone buzzed—voice messages from Sabina.

Clips of her talking to Jacob.

"Jacob, you're so sweet. Gabriel's out of town. I thought you wouldn't come either. Aren't you worried Yuna will be mad?"

"What's there to worry about? I'm supposed to hurt her, right? That makes sixty now. Just seventeen more and I can divorce her. I can't wait."

His voice? Chill. Like it was nothing.

And he didn't come home that night.

***

Eight hours till my flight.

I looked around the house one last time.

Jacob had transferred in senior year. We were seatmates.

He was smart, always helping me with homework.

I had a quiet crush—never said a word, just followed him home like some silent shadow.

One day, he got jumped—beat up bad.

I hauled him to the hospital by myself.

A week later, he came back... and asked to switch seats.

Next to Sabina.

That's when everything twisted.

I packed up what was mine.

Walked out without looking back.

After crashing at Sabina's, Jacob went back to work.

That evening, a package landed on his desk.

He opened it—and froze.

Inside: a pink diary.

And a signed divorce agreement.