It was the fifth anniversary of my relationship, and once again my boyfriend and my best friend had gotten into a fight that landed them at the police station.
Gloria’s voice rang out, full of frustration. “Why does Dallas get to spend every waking second with you, Aryan? What about our friendship?”
Aryan sounded beyond irritated.
"Can you just be reasonable? I’m her life partner!"
I calmly soothed them both while apologizing to the cops. After posting bail, I was already planning our usual post-drama celebration when I was stopped cold by the sight of them tangled against a tree. The same two who had been screaming at each other minutes ago were now locked in a heated kiss.
"Can’t we just tell her already?"
Gloria whined, impatience dripping from her voice.
"I’m so sick of pretending. And it’s getting harder to hide the baby."
"Don’t worry. Soon," Aryan murmured, all soft. "Once I finalized the stock deal, I’d break it off and marry you."
My hand shook as I pulled out my phone. My voice trembled when I spoke.
"Dad, cut all funding to Aryan. Now."
"And cancel the adoption for Gloria."
When I hung up, my fingers wouldn’t stop trembling. My phone wallpaper stared back at me—Aryan and me, smiling, wearing the matching bracelets we exchanged as a promise.
"I wanted a wedding that’s completely over the top," Gloria pouted playfully.
"Nothing like Dallas’s."
"Whatever you wanted, baby," Aryan promised, his voice dripping with sweetness.
"I’d been planning everything around your taste for three months. You were gonna love it."
Bitterness flooded me. For two years, I’d asked Aryan for a wedding, but he was always too busy.
"I needed to build an empire so your dad would accept me," he’d said.
"I promised I’d marry you within five years. Don’t mess with my head when I’m this close."
He’d told me I had to be more mature for our future, so I’d stopped pushing. I’d spent over half a year designing our wedding—every tiny detail—waiting for him to keep his five-year promise. Now it hit me. It was all for nothing.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.
"Dallas? Wha—when did you get out here?" Gloria stammered, stepping from behind the tree, guilt flashing in her eyes.
Her lips were swollen, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "Are you mad at me? I swore I wouldn’t cause drama next time."
"But I couldn’t help it—I got so jealous when Aryan was with you. We were supposed to be closest!"
Every anniversary, they’d end up at the police station, fighting over who got more of my time. And before, I’d been blissfully clueless, so wrapped up in my happiness that I never saw the truth.
"So, were we still celebrating together this year?"
Gloria asked, her eyes lit with anticipation. I looked at her, then at Aryan, who emerged from behind the tree, feigning calm.
"So you wanted the three of us to celebrate? Together?" I asked him.
"If that’s what you wanted," he said, voice gruff.
"She’s your best friend. I guessed I could deal."
"Deal?"
Gloria threw mock punches, teasing.
"I was the one who had to put up with you!"
Aryan just laughed it off, but the affection in his eyes gave him away—totally involuntary.
Gloria climbed into the car, linking her arm through mine and resting her head on my shoulder—the same affectionate way we’d always been. Only then, I caught a whiff of a familiar cologne on her. Aryan’s favorite scent. The gift I’d given him on our first anniversary.
I gently pushed Gloria away.
"I was a little tired. I’d try to nap."
At that, Aryan parked and pulled out a bunch of stuff from the trunk: a lumbar cushion, a neck pillow, a throw blanket to keep off the chill, even my favorite white noise track. Always so attentive.
Five years of his meticulous care.
Gloria handed me a stuffed toy.
"Sleep tight, princess. I knew you couldn’t sleep without it."
The toy—a gift from Gloria back when she’d found me lost as a kid, her way of comforting me after rescuing me.
They tucked me in, fussing over me like I was some cherished guest.
"You’d had a rough day, darling," Aryan said softly.
"I never should’ve let Gloria’s antics drag us to the station. Get some rest."
The car fell quiet, the two of them exchanging silent looks. As I stared at the passing scenery, a deep sadness welled up inside me. I’d thought this was my life—simple, steady, with the people I loved beside me.
Glancing sideways, I caught their fingers lacing together in the dim glow of a red light.
"Dallas, were you sure you wanted to pull support from both of them?" the voice on the phone asked, confirming my earlier orders.
I closed my eyes for a beat and sent the confirmation.
“Yes. Pull everything.”
