Chapter 2Becoming Better Alone

At three in the afternoon, I was in a meeting when Justin messaged me:

“Sienna’s landlord is reclaiming the apartment, and she has nowhere to stay. Can she stay at our place for a few days?”

I stared at the message, recalling two years ago when we first started dating. I’d suggested inviting my best friend over, and he’d said, “Home is a private space; maybe not have outsiders over.”

Back then, my best friend was an outsider.

Now, Sienna wasn't.

I didn’t reply.

When I got home from work, Sienna was already in the living room.

She wore Justin’s white shirt, her hair damp, sitting on the sofa watching TV.

I recognized the shirt; it was one of Justin’s favorites. He’d usually tell me, “Don’t wrinkle it,” even if I just touched it.

Justin saw me return and immediately walked over to explain, “Her clothes got wet in the rain, so I…”

“Mm-hmm.” I nodded, changed my shoes, and walked into the kitchen.

He followed me, lowering his voice. “You’re not angry?”

“Why would I be angry?” I opened the fridge, starting to prepare dinner. “You said she had nowhere to stay; it’s perfectly normal for her to stay a few days.”

Justin stared at me for a few seconds, as if checking if I was being sarcastic.

I didn’t look at him, just calmly washed and chopped vegetables.

Sienna’s voice drifted from the living room: “Justin, there’s a new mystery movie out tonight. Will you come with me to see it?”

I heard Justin say, “Sure, I’ll be with you in a moment.”

Then he turned to me, tentatively asking, “Do you… want to come too?”

I dried my hands, calmly stating, “No, I don’t like watching movies. You two go.”

He frowned. “Don’t you love watching movies?”

I smiled, offering no reply.

Two years ago, every time I asked him to watch a movie, he’d say, “Maybe another day, Sienna and I are swamped.”

I asked him over a dozen times; he never agreed once. After that, I stopped asking.

Now, he couldn’t even remember what I liked.

Justin stood at the kitchen doorway, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

In the end, he left with Sienna.

I sat alone at the dining table, eating the meal I’d cooked myself.

My phone rang; it was my best friend.

“How was your birthday?” she asked.

“It was good.” My voice was flat.

“Who are you kidding? I saw your social media post—just a picture of cake. Where was Justin?”

I paused for a few seconds. “He had something to do.”

“Sienna again?” My best friend’s voice rose. “I told you…”

“It’s fine, I’m used to it.” I cut her off. “Talk later, I’m eating.”

After hanging up, I looked out the window.

It was dark now; they must be at the cinema.

Would Sienna lean on his shoulder, just as she had countless times before, saying, “Justin, you’re the best”?

I picked up a piece of green vegetable, chewing slowly.

I don’t know why, but I suddenly remembered the candlelight I saw when I made my wish.

In that instant, I felt like I had truly let go of my expectations for him.

At eleven o’clock, I heard the lock turn.

Justin was back, a smile still on his face. He saw me washing dishes, paused, and came over, offering to help.

I said, “No need, go rest.”

He stood behind me, staring at my back for a long time.

“What… what’s wrong with you?” he asked.

I dried my hands, turned to face him, and calmly asked, “Nothing, was the movie good?”

“It was alright.” He answered somewhat distractedly. “Why aren’t you angry?”

“Why should I be angry?” I countered.

He was speechless.

Probably because the old me would have made a huge fuss over something like this.

But now that I wasn’t fighting, he was unnerved.

Men, they really are a pain.