The next day, Jason didn’t come home. He didn’t even bother to message me. I was certain he was with Maddie.
And I was right. A few minutes later, Maddie uploaded a video of herself having breakfast with Jason. In the video, Jason was laughing, trying to hide his face.
“Ah, come on. I haven’t showered yet, don’t embarrass me, Maddie,” he said as he tried to catch Maddie’s hand that was holding the phone.
“You still look hot, Jason,” Maddie said playfully, sitting on his lap and cupping his face.
As if that wasn’t already enough to make my blood boil, she kissed him on the lips—clearly on purpose.
“Maddie, come on…”
“Don’t you like it?”
Jason gently stroked her head. “It’s not that. Just don’t record it,” he whispered with a soft laugh.
They looked happy. Too happy.
And I knew exactly where they were—Jason’s family hotel. He had taken me there once. Back then, he treated me with care, his gaze locked on me like I was the centre of his world.
“Ava, when we get married one day, let’s have a big party here,” Jason said, kissing my hand.
Just one call from Maddie had changed everything.
The guy who once made me feel special had dropped everything to see her when she returned to Sydney.
“Ava, I’m sorry. Maddie needs a ride from the airport. Don’t be upset. We’ll hang out again when I’m back, yeah?”
It wasn’t the first time. Two years ago, on my birthday, Jason took me out for a romantic dinner.
But when Maddie called crying, he left me at the restaurant and flew to Melbourne.
“I know it’s your first fancy dinner. But please understand—she’s alone and I need to be there. You can eat on your own this time.”
He handed me some money—actually threw it—and rushed off. That night, I realised I had always been second.
Whenever I brought it up, Jason would say, “She’s my ex, yeah. But we’ve been mates since we were kids. We’re just friends now. Don’t be childish, Ava. You’re the one I love.”
But his words were empty. If he really loved me, he wouldn’t always put Maddie first.
“Why don’t you just let me go now that Maddie’s back in your life, Jason!?”
Tears streamed down my cheeks before I even noticed. I quickly wiped them and took a deep breath.
“Wake up Ava! Come on, better focus on your studies!” I slapped my face to sober up.
From the start, I knew this relationship wouldn’t last. A rich guy like Jason would never end up with someone poor like me.
Fairy tales like Cinderella don’t happen in real life.
I threw myself into preparing for London. With help from my lecturer, all I needed to do was apply for a student visa.
I went to the agency with all the required documents. They said the visa would be ready in three to five days.
Seeing my full name on the papers made me smile.
“You don’t even know my real name. Maybe you never really cared,” I muttered.
Jason only knew me as Ava Mae, not Avaline Rossell.
The sadness tried to creep back in, but I pushed it away.
Thankfully, my parents had saved enough for me to live in London.
My aunt even gave me extra money. I refused, but she insisted.
“Autumn will be starting when you arrive in London. Get yourself a warm coat, Ava.”
Her kindness touched me deeply. She was all I had now.
I went to the mall to buy a coat and a few other things. I passed a jewellery shop and paused, staring at a beautiful diamond ring displayed in the window.
“It’s gorgeous,” I murmured.
Then, through the glass, I saw two familiar figures. My eyes narrowed.
Jason and Maddie walked out of the store. Maddie smiled brightly, clinging to his arm with shopping bags in hand.
“Thanks, Jason. I love this ring,” she said, raising her hand to show it off.
She was wearing the exact ring I had just admired.
“That ring suits a beautiful woman like you, Maddie,” Jason said, gently patting her head.
Jason’s smile disappeared when he spotted me. His face froze.
“Ava? What are you doing here?” he asked.
Maddie shot me a sharp look. No surprise.
I gave them a cold smile. What a pair.
“Jason, you should’ve broken up with me first if you were going to start dating Maddie,” I said.
“Ava, what? It’s not what it looks like. I told you—we’re just mates now,” he said, smiling without an ounce of guilt.
“Yeah, Ava. We’ve known each other since forever. It’s normal for besties to hang out, right?” Maddie added with a smug grin, still clinging to him.
“Wow. So you’d rather go out with your ‘bestie’ than your girlfriend, huh Jason?” I shot back.
“Don’t start again, Ava.” Jason rolled his eyes.
“But, why are you buying a coat in the middle of summer?” he asked, confused
I froze. He couldn’t find out I was leaving.
“It was on sale,” I said quickly.
“Right. Let’s go shopping, then. Won’t cost much—you like cheap stuff,” he said as he walked toward me.
His words cut deep, but Maddie’s irritated face gave me petty satisfaction.
I slipped my arm through his and smiled.
“Let’s go. Just you and me. Maddie, looks like you’ll have to head home on your own.”
For a moment, I thought maybe, just maybe, he would choose me.
Then Maddie suddenly clutched her stomach and groaned.
“Ah, Jason... my tummy hurts…”
“Maddie! Is it cramping again?” Jason asked, panicking.
“Take me to the hospital, please,” she whimpered.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Jason turned to me and pulled out some money.
“Ava, we’ll go shopping later. Just go on your own for now,” he said.
He lifted Maddie bridal-style and hurried off.
Maddie looked over his shoulder and gave me a smug smile.
I clenched the money in my fist.
“Damn it. You two are unbelievable.”
My heart ached, but then a message from Mr Liam, my lecturer, appeared on my phone.
“Ava, looks like you’ll need to leave earlier. I’ve recommended you to a friend in London who’s willing to help you prepare for uni.”
I smiled.
“This is my chance to leave you behind for good, Jason.”
