After that, every year for his birthday, I not only bought Sawyer expensive gifts but also made something by hand, such as necklaces, bracelets, scrapbooks, and scarves.
I tried everything, but he never cared.
Mathilde posted this to taunt me. Whenever Sawyer and I had plans, she'd text him and make him ditch me.
Alone in the massive banquet hall, I opened bottle after bottle of vintage wine and downed them.
My stomach started to burn, but the alcohol dulled my pain.
This time, I swore I wouldn't forgive Sawyer.
...
I woke up with a pounding headache.
As expected, Sawyer didn't come home all night.
I didn't call him like I used to. Instead, I cooked myself a bowl of hangover soup, the same I had made for him when he came home reeking of booze after staying out all night.
Then I threw myself into work, trying to forget the pain he caused. Our company was about to go public, and this was a critical time.
I sipped my soup and typed on my laptop when Sawyer walked in. Staying up brought him dark circles, but his face radiated joy.
He jumped, surprised to see me awake at six in the morning. He nervously approached, peering at what I was doing and placing his hands on my shoulders to massage them.
I kept a stone-cold expression, not saying a word.
"You're up early today," he started. "Wanna go back to bed for a bit?"
He knew I was mad, so his tone was much softer than usual. "I'm sorry I left you yesterday, but I was worried about Mathilde. You know, she has no family or other friends here. And she saved me from drowning when we were kids. I owe her."
Seeing no reaction from me, Sawyer shut my laptop and pulled me onto his lap, cooing at me.
Once, his sweet talk would have softened me. Not this time.
"I've told you so many times. It wasn't Mathilde who saved you," I said. "Why wouldn't you believe me?"
"You're not saying you saved me again," he sulked. "I woke up in Mathilde's arms after nearly drowning. You don't need to lie."
He never believed me.
"You know what? We're done," I said. "Since you care about her so much, I won't stand in your way."
It was the first time in ten years I'd brought up breaking up.
Sawyer panicked. "I've told you a million times. Mathilde is just a friend. What are you freaking out about? She saved my life. You could at least help me look out for her instead of throwing a tantrum. Can you stop being so childish?"
I pushed him off me and started packing my things. "Not a tantrum. I mean it. I'll talk to our families and clear things up."
I kept spare clothes at my apartment near the company, so packing was quick.
Then I called my driver.
Sawyer probably thought I meant it. He grabbed my arm, tears welling up. "You're just mad about the engagement party, right? Let's have it next weekend."
