Milla POV
“Take this business trip as a chance. You’ve been too stressed lately. I mean… you broke your own laptop.”
I turned my head in disbelief.
He was the one who smashed my laptop last night. Drunk. Angry. Careless.
And now, he was acting like none of it had happened.
“Spending time with some friends might help you relax,” he continued casually, like we were just a happy couple making weekend plans. “When you get back, we can talk about the engagement. What do you think?”
I curled my right hand into a fist behind my back, hiding the fact that I’d already taken off the ring he gave me.
I forced a small smile and steered the conversation away.
“I’ve got morning lectures today. And I need to get my laptop repaired.”
Before he could say, I headed into the bedroom to change. I didn’t care about the confusion on his face. I didn’t want to talk about us.
I used to be so cheerful—smiling through every little moment we shared. But not this time.
All I felt was the weight in my chest and the sting just behind my eyes. I nearly cried.
But I didn’t. Because my tears weren’t worth falling for a man like Alfa.
Then I walked into the kitchen and started eating the toast I had made. Just one slice. I didn’t bother offering him any.
“You didn’t make me any?”
I checked the time on my watch and took a quick bite.
“I overslept.”
“What? That’s not like you, Milla,” he snapped.
I didn’t respond. Just packed up my broken laptop—carefully, quietly—like every movement was a goodbye I couldn’t speak out loud.
Then I headed for the door.
He followed behind me, grumbling under his breath like a charging bull.
I walked quickly down the long, deserted hallway. Even inside the elevator, I kept my eyes fixed on my phone, pretending to be busy—anything to avoid looking at Alfa.
When we reached the lobby, I headed straight for the bus stop. But Alfa grabbed my wrist and steered me toward his car.
I sat in silence, scrolling through my phone. Hoping he’d get the message. But he didn’t say a word. Just drove on, and I was hurting.
When he turned the car around at the gas station, his phone lit up near the handbrake.
‘Emilia.’
I hesitated… then picked it up.
[Emilia: Alfa, I have two interesting destinations: the Maldives or Bali?]
[Alfa: How about 3 days in Bali?]
Then she sent a love emoji right after.
[Alfa: Calculate everything and send me the cost. Let me pay.]
The dates—they were exactly when I’d be away visiting Mom.
He’d planned everything behind my back.
I had already let him go for Emilia. But I didn’t think it would hurt this much.
He said that he wanted to save money for our engagement and wedding. He would say the same thing even if I offered to travel using my money.
“Save your money. Don't be wasteful, Milla.”
No wonder — a month ago, when I asked him to go to the beach just sixty kilometers away, he said he was working overtime with his coworkers.
“I can't go, Milla. I could get fired if I don't get my work done.”
It was the weekend, and no company or agency was hiring employees. But I was too trusting.
Then, Emilia recently sent a message showing a breakdown of their trip costs, from departure to return. It was really expensive, about five times my salary.
“Don't touch my phone!”
Alfa suddenly snatched his phone roughly. He stuffed it into his trouser pocket and pulled the car over.
“I have a lot of important work to do on my phone! I'll be fired if I lose all of it because of your carelessness!” He snapped with both eyebrows raised.
I shook and didn't dare to look at his face.
Then Alfa gripped my arm until his fingernails pricked.
“What are you reading, huh?! Tell me!”
“I... I just--- “
He jerked my arm so hard that it hurt from hitting the door.
"I've told you before — don't touch my stuff without permission. It drives me crazy! You're acting like I'm cheating on you or something!"
I nodded with a frightened face, “Sorry, Alfa.”
“I trusted you, Milla—I never doubted you. Can’t you do the same? Three years… isn’t that enough to prove how much I care?”
"I'm sorry, Alfa. I was such a terrible partner—I doubted you. I truly am sorry."
I blamed myself, which was unlike me. Then, Alfa was speechless.
“Um… Emilia asked me to help cover the cost of her trip. The plan is—once her severance pay comes in—she’ll pay me back.”
I just nodded, staring at the floor.
“She just got fired, Milla,” he continued, trying to justify himself. “She needed a break and lift her spirits. I was just doing her a favor.”
Emilia and Alfa had been colleagues for years—long before I ever became part of his life.
Now, they were too close. So close that when she lost her job, Alfa rushed to comfort her like his world revolved around her.
He was willing to lie to me. To risk our relationship. Even to spend his own money—for her.
“Can we go to campus now, Alfa? I’m… almost late.”
Later that afternoon, I headed to the electronics center to get my laptop repaired. But I saw Alfa with his arm casually draped around Emilia’s shoulders.
Helping her pick out the latest smartphone, smiling like nothing was wrong.
Emilia, with her oversized shirt that looked like someone who appeared helpless.
“Milla, I’m just helping Emilia—”
“Of course you are. Good friends always come before girlfriends. Isn’t that right, Alfa?”
Alfa’s face turned red. He grabbed my arm roughly and yanked me away from the crowd.
His hand struck my cheek, and his fingers clamped around my jaw.
“You wanna humiliate me in public? You want people talking trash about me because of your jealous tantrum?!”
He shoved me hard against the wall.
“I’m just comforting a friend who’s going through a tough time! What’s so wrong with that? At least Emilia doesn’t whine and nag like you do!”
I stood there, lips trembling, tears threatening to spill.
“Hey, man! Don’t treat a woman like that!”
Alfa quickly let go of me, panic flashing in his eyes as several people stared at him.
“Milla… I’m sorry. I wouldn’t act like this if you hadn’t pushed me.”
Still blaming me—for his actions.
That was the last straw. I couldn’t do this anymore. I wouldn’t.
“Alfa… I think our relationship should—”
“Alfa.”
We both turned. Emilia stood a few steps away, holding a sleek paper bag with a brand-new phone inside. In her other hand … was Alfa’s wallet.
Just friends, huh?
“Yes, Emilia?” he asked, his voice softening instantly.
Her eyes welled with tears. Without a second thought, Alfa rushed to her side.
“Can I stay at your place for a few days?” She asked quietly. “My landlord just kicked me out … right after I lost my job.”
