He Wished I’d Break Up With Him, So I Did—on My Way to the Airport chapter 01

He Wished I’d Break Up With Him, So I Did—on My Way to the Airport chapter 01

I’d been in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend for four years. By chance, I logged into his social media feed and saw a post he’d liked.

“Would you choose your long-distance girlfriend who’s waited for you for years, or the girl who’s right here by your side every single day?”

I trusted Ethan Hale completely, so my mind immediately went to, “That’s me.”

We’d already stood by each other for six years, and only one more year remained until our planned wedding.

But when I scrolled down to the comments, my blood ran cold at his reply.

“She’s so sweet. She watches games with me, brings me meals when I work late, and stays to take care of me whenever I’m sick.”

“You, though, just lash out over our screens and bicker over every little trivial thing.”

“If I had a choice, I wish you’d be the one to end this first.”

I froze, my gaze drifting numbly toward Ethan’s front door.

Just hours earlier, I’d just taken an eight-hour train, cake in hand, hoping to surprise him.

Now I felt nothing but foolish, like an unwelcome intruder.

It suddenly dawned on me his cold distance these past weeks had never been about work stress.

He’d been waiting all along, silently pushing me to walk away.

A bitter laugh escaped me. I lifted my head, fighting back the tears stinging my eyes.

Fine. I’d give him what he wanted.

I was no longer going to turn down that overseas promotion for a love that was already falling apart.

……

I turned to leave, and the door swung open.

A young woman stepped out, teasing the man behind her.

“You’re actually learning to cook now? If not, I’ll keep popping over so often, I’ll practically be running this place.”

“I wouldn’t mind that one bit,” Ethan answered, his tone warm and relaxed, completely unaware I stood there.

The moment his eyes met mine, he stiffened.

His face froze, panic flashing in his eyes. “Chloe? What are you doing here?”

The girl turned to look me over from head to toe, her tone sharp with the air of someone who owned the place.

“Hi there, I’m Mia Carter, a friend of Ethan’s. And you are?”

“I’m his girlfriend, Chloe Bennett.”

The light in her eyes dimmed at my words, a flicker of disappointment passing over her features. It faded fast, replaced by a relieved smile — clearly glad I was only his girlfriend, not his wife.

“Oh, a girlfriend. I’ll leave you two to talk then.”

She walked around the corner and out of sight. Ethan reached for my arm.

“When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“If I hadn’t shown up unannounced, I’d never have known you’ve got such a close friend,” I said, heavy sarcasm lacing every word.

Ethan frowned and hurried to explain.

“She just drops by now and then to make me a meal. Don’t read too much into it.”

Just dropping by? His own words online told a far different story. She’d woven herself fully into his daily life.

Meanwhile, as his girlfriend, I was always the last to know anything about him.

Time and again he’d vanish for hours, ignoring my messages. I’d panic and send dozens of texts, only to get a few brief replies.

“Was watching the match, lost track of time.”

“Was sick, didn’t check my phone.”

Now I understood. Someone else had kept him company, leaving him no time for me.

I dragged myself back to the present, utterly drained.

I held out the cake toward him.

“Today’s our six-year anniversary. You forgot.”

I stepped inside and sank onto the sofa.

Every corner held traces of Mia. Slippers in her size, a pink apron, a few pieces of clothing left lying around — silent signs of her regular visits.

“I’ve been swamped with work lately, it slipped my mind,” Ethan sat down beside me, his voice full of regret.

“Let me make it up to you. Name anywhere you want to go, anything you want to eat, and I’ll stay right with you.”

I ignored his offer and asked quietly.

“Ethan, do you think I overreact and pick fights over every little thing?”

“Why would you ask that all of a sudden?” he hesitated.

“Just answer me.”

He sighed and gave in.

“You do tend to overthink small stuff.”

“We’ve been together six years, yet you’d argue if I skipped Valentine’s flowers or forgot to say goodnight before bed.”

“You even blocked me the morning after we fought, just because I fell asleep mid-argument.”

“Chloe, honestly, it’s exhausting sometimes.”

I said nothing, listening as my heart broke piece by piece.

Once, he’d been the one worried about my stress from long-distance life. He’d always gone out of his way for little romantic gestures.

Flowers for Valentine’s, generous gifts for my birthday, never a single miss.

But Mia’s arrival had distracted him, and all those sweet traditions faded away.

He’d always cared deeply about my feelings, refusing to let bad feelings linger overnight. Now he could fall sound asleep while I cried out of heartache. In the end, all my pain was labeled as petty tantrums.

Seeing me lost in thought, Ethan stroked my hair gently.

“Still, it’s fine. A little fire in you isn’t so bad.”

I mumbled a quiet reply and forced a pale smile.

Ethan, I won’t lose my temper anymore.

I’ll never argue with you again.

Because there will be no more us.