He Wished I’d Break Up With Him, So I Did—on My Way to the Airport chapter 02

Ethan could barely focus while cutting the cake.

His eyes darted to his phone every time the screen lit up.

He even took his device into the restroom and stayed there for half an hour.

I stood outside the bathroom door, listening to his hushed tones.

“I can’t make it to the movies tonight.”

“Chloe’s here. She’ll stay for two or three days.”

“I’ll make it up to you next week. We’ll watch that film and get the coffee you’ve been craving.”

Hearing him plan every detail for her with such care, I caught a glimpse of a thoughtful side to him I never knew existed.

With me, he was always passive.

He never had a clue where to go, what to eat or what to do.

His standard response was a mumbled “Whatever you want,” before he’d bury himself in his phone, tuning me and everything else out.

A sharp ache pricked my nose. I walked back to the living room and opened my manager’s chat.

“I’ll take the overseas project.”

I had turned down this promotion time and again for Ethan, hoping to save up and build a home with him here.

Now, none of that mattered anymore.

Ethan stepped out of the restroom and glanced my way.

“The weather’s nice. Let’s go for a walk.”

He headed to the entryway to put on his shoes, then posed in front of the full-length mirror to snap a photo of his outfit and typed away on his phone.

There was no doubt in my mind who was on the other end of those messages: Mia.

For six years, he had never sent me a single photo on his own.

Even when dining with colleagues, he would only take pictures of the food reluctantly after I asked, and grumble that women were always too suspicious.

Yet now he did all this willingly, a smile tugging steadily at his lips.

I looked straight at him, my tone laced with sarcasm.

“You look pretty pleased. Who are you talking to?”

“Huh?” Ethan lifted his head abruptly.

Thinking I was just jealous, he tried to soothe me.

“Just work stuff. I’m happy because you’re here.”

He slung an arm over my shoulder and led me outside like nothing was wrong.

“Where do you want to go?”

“That dessert shop over there.”

“The cream is too rich. Mia says it’s terrible.”

I paused, holding back my frustration, and suggested another spot.

“The café next door then.”

“No good. Mia says their coffee beans aren’t authentic.”

Every choice I made got shot down. I finally lost my patience and let out a cold laugh.

“You’ve wandered every shop in town with Mia already. Where exactly am I supposed to go?”

“You two are inseparable. No wonder you never have time to reply to my messages.”

Ethan froze, then grew irritable.

“Why do you keep overthinking things?”

“I told you, we’re just friends!”

“Did you come here to celebrate our anniversary, or just pick a fight?”

I sighed, worn to the bone.

“I don’t see you trying to celebrate it at all.”

“You’ve been distracted since the moment I arrived, and your mind’s still stuck on her now.”

Ethan let out a helpless laugh.

“If you’re set on seeing it that way, there’s nothing I can do.”

Those words silenced me completely.

He could chat softly with Mia for an hour behind a closed door, yet brush me off with a simple there’s nothing I can do.

“Fine. If that’s how it is,” I shrugged off his arm and walked away, not bothering to look back. “Then there’s no point in us being out here together.”