3 "My dear sister, since you've already taken the wedding photos, why don't you stand in for me at the wedding too?" "If you're going to experience it, go all out. Just taking wedding photos is so boring, isn't it?" Ashley's face instantly flushed a furious crimson, stammering, unable to form a coherent sentence. Daniel stood up to shield Ashley: "Chloe, if you have a problem, direct it at me. Don't pick on a young girl like Ashley." "She's not as venomous as you, and not as petty." Ten years of our relationship, and to Daniel, all that was left of me was venom and pettiness. Even though I'd already decided to sever ties, Daniel's words still pierced me deeply, like a thousand tiny cuts. My hand trembled uncontrollably. I took a deep breath to steady myself. I turned to Daniel. "Do you think you're some kind of saint? You're old enough to know better, still playing that sickening 'big brother, little sister' act? Don't you find it disgusting?" I poured the entire glass of wine over Daniel's head. "You said I was petty? Well, today I'll show you what true pettiness looks like."" Daniel wiped his face, his eyes wide with disbelief. I grabbed Ashley, ripping the protective pendant from her neck. "If I'm not mistaken, this pendant was *mine*, the one I got for you. You almost died in that car accident years ago, and I prayed for days and nights at the temple just to get you this protective pendant." "Then you told me you lost it. Turns out you gave it to Ashley." "Is this how you trample all over my sincerity?" I practically screamed the words. All the grievances of the past few days exploded out of me. My chest heaved violently. Everyone present was too stunned to utter a sound. All the grievances of the past few days exploded out of me. My chest heaved violently. Everyone present was too stunned to utter a sound. Daniel's face, which had been contorted in anger, instantly deflated. He quickly stammered an explanation: "Chloe, it's not what you think. Ashley had a heart attack and was in critical condition. I was afraid she wouldn't make it, so I gave it to her..." "Enough." I cut Daniel off. Painful memories assaulted me one after another. Ever since Ashley returned, the cracks in my relationship with Daniel had grown wider and wider. Ashley's issues always took precedence over mine. On my birthday, one call from Ashley was enough to pull Daniel away. During our vacation, Ashley claimed her heart hurt, and Daniel abandoned me, buying a plane ticket to rush to her side. Even when my mother passed away, Daniel stayed with Ashley at the hospital. I was consumed by grief, but Daniel lightly dismissed it: "She's already gone. What good would I do there? But Ashley only has me." We had reached this point because the final straw had fallen, breaking the camel's back. I picked up the pendant, tracing its surface with my fingers, then, with a sharp movement, I smashed it onto the floor. Daniel tried to grab it, but he was too late. The exquisite jade shattered instantly, just like my relationship with Daniel at that moment. I lifted my face, wiped away my tears, and forced a bright smile. "Everyone, Daniel's and my wedding is canceled. From now on, Daniel and I are completely done, separate paths, no looking back." Become SVIP! Read all SVIP stories - Someone tried to intervene and mediate. I glared, my face dark. "If anyone else speaks up for Daniel or Ashley, don't blame me for ignoring our past acquaintance and turning my back on you completely!" From their SnapChat messages trying to dissuade me, to orchestrating this dinner to support Ashley, I realized these people had never truly considered me a friend. They were Daniel's friends, Ashley's friends, but not mine. Amidst everyone's shock, I grabbed my bag and walked out. This whole dinner was a trap, a setup. I hadn't eaten a thing, yet I felt nauseous enough to vomit. Daniel chased after me from behind. "Chloe, are you really breaking up with me?" Did this man still think I was just playing games with him? I looked at him as if he were an idiot. "What else? Should I let your dear sister experience being the bride at our wedding too?" Daniel's expression visibly tensed, and then, as if realizing something, he embraced me. "I'm sorry, Chloe. I really lost my sense of proportion this time, and I hurt you." "I promise it won't happen again." Daniel's body warmth radiated through me, so familiar. I used to love it when Daniel held me; it made me feel so safe. But he hadn't held me like this in a long time, so long that his scent felt almost foreign to me. Every time I tried to get close to him, he'd always make excuses about being busy or tired. Now, however, his embrace felt suffocatingly tight, making it hard to breathe. I struggled to break free. "Daniel, honestly, there's no need for us to stay tangled up like this!" "I'm setting you free. And in return, you set me free too." Daniel froze, stunned. He hadn't expected my resolve to be so absolute. He tried to reach for me again, but Ashley, who had rushed out, called him. "Big Brother Daniel, my heart hurts so much! I can barely breathe!" Daniel looked back at Ashley, his eyes filled with undeniable panic. Wanting to quickly escape his grasp, I urged him, "Go check on Ashley! A heart attack can be fatal!" Daniel, as if given permission, sprinted towards Ashley. He didn't forget to yell back at me, "Chloe, I'll come home to you after I've settled Ashley!" I quickly left, heading back to the apartment-Daniel's apartment, to be precise. After buying a few large cardboard boxes, I started packing my belongings. Ten years of dating, five years of cohabitation. The apartment was filled with Daniel's things and mine. We'd planned to redecorate before the wedding, but Daniel was always busy and didn't like anyone touching his things, so it was postponed. Now, it saved me the trouble. Once I moved out, the place would be empty. A quick clean-up, and it would be ready for a new occupant. I opened the closet; the tie and suit I'd bought for Daniel for the wedding were still unopened. After a moment's thought, I tossed them into a trash bag. Since he hadn't used them, they were technically still my property. On the desk in the study was the only photo Daniel and I had together. Daniel hated having his picture taken; I had to resort to threats and bribes to get him to pose for this one. Looking at Daniel's stiff, unnatural expression in the photo, it was truly an eyesore. I casually tossed it into the trash can. There were also the uniquely shaped dishes I'd bought, which Daniel had never used. And the plush toys in the living room, which Daniel disliked because they shed, all piled in a corner. All of it, gone. Between throwing things out and packing, the large apartment quickly emptied, leaving no trace of me behind. I called a moving truck. As I left, the long-held weight in my heart lifted. The evening breeze blew past, and even my pores seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Driver, to Silverwood Apartments." When we arrived, Ryan, my former junior from college, was already waiting downstairs for me. "Ryan, I'm so sorry to trouble you with moving things so late at night. I'm really pressed for time; I'll move out as soon as I find my own place." Ryan's face was slightly flushed: "It's my honor to help you, Chloe." "You can just stay here from now on. My family has plenty of apartments; it'd be a waste for them to sit empty." In just a few moments, Ryan had helped me move my things into the apartment. When I called him for help, he hadn't asked why I was suddenly moving out in the middle of the night; he just told me not to worry. I was grateful that Ryan was so considerate of my dignity at that moment. "Ryan, thank you!" Ryan scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "If you want to thank me, then treat me to dinner. Your cooking is amazing, Chloe." "Absolutely," I readily agreed. Over the years, to take care of Daniel, I had painstakingly honed my cooking skills. He was a picky eater with a sensitive stomach, especially particular about food. To find the perfect dishes for him, I had learned so much, even studying under renowned chefs. Now, thinking about it, it all seemed a bit ridiculous. He barely came home a few times a month, and most of the meals I cooked ended up in the trash. All my efforts were just self-deception.