Chapter 2I’m No Longer His Girlfriend

Three days later, our former class president, Luke, was getting married. The invitation had arrived months ago, making it impossible to avoid.

The thought of facing Shane made my stomach churn, but I couldn't skip the wedding. I arrived just as the ceremony was about to start, hoping to slip in unnoticed, but fate had other plans.

The only vacant seat at the medical school table was directly next to Shane.

I took my seat, forcing my face into a mask of pure indifference, though my mind was screaming with the memory of his betrayal.

Our former classmates looked back and forth between Dana, who was clinging to Shane's left arm, and me. Their eyes practically begged for an explanation.

"Shane had an accident recently," I said, keeping my voice light and professional to spare them the awkwardness. "In his mind, Dana is his girlfriend now."

Shane wrapped his arm around Dana's waist, his voice cold and devoid of any warmth. "I don't know what you're talking about. Dana has always been my girlfriend."

A heavy, sympathetic silence settled over the table.

Fortunately, the wedding march began, saving us from further conversation.

As the newlyweds exchanged rings, one of our more outspoken classmates let out a soft sigh. "Man, I really thought Nora and Shane would be the first of our class to walk down the aisle. I mean, ten years..."

Before he could finish, another classmate kicked him sharply under the table. Realizing his blunder, the guy tried to pivot, looking at me with an apologetic grin. "Well, Nora, since you're single now, how about giving me a chance?"

I knew he was just trying to break the tension, so I offered a polite smile and stayed quiet.

But Shane suddenly let out a sharp, mocking scoff.

"Some people certainly move on quickly. Just a few days ago, you were dropping off homemade broth at my apartment, and now you're already hunting for your next target. Pathetic."

"At least I'm not a fraud," I shot back, my voice cutting through the noise of the room. "Playing house with a fake reality is what's truly pathetic."

Shane's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of panic crossing his features before he fell silent.

The atmosphere at the table turned suffocatingly tense.

Seeing the shift, Dana tightened her grip on Shane's arm, shaking it gently. "Shane, don't be so hard on Nora. It's my fault anyway. It's only natural she's bitter."

"You don't owe her anything," Shane murmured, his gaze entirely avoiding mine as he picked up a shrimp and began peeling it for her.

My chest ached. In the early days of our relationship, he used to do that for me too. But as the years went on, he grew tired of the little things.

The last time I had asked him to peel a shrimp for me, he had snapped. "Do you not have hands, Nora? If you want to eat, peel it yourself. If not, don't eat."

It turned out he hadn't grown tired of the gesture. He had just grown tired of me.

My throat burned with unshed tears. To keep from breaking down in front of everyone, I pushed my chair back and excused myself to the restroom.

After splash of cold water on my face, I composed myself and walked out, only to find Dana blocking the corridor.

Her face was twisted into a smug, victorious grin.

"Nora, Shane belongs to me now. Do us both a favor and stop showing your face around him."

"Then you should have kept him at home today," I replied coldly. "These are my friends and my colleagues. I am not abandoning my life for a man."

I looked at her, thinking of Shane's words: Dana is dying. Looking at her vibrant, spiteful face, she didn't look like someone on the brink of death.

Still, as a doctor, I knew how cruel terminal illnesses could be. Despite my dislike for her, I didn't want to engage with a dying patient. I took a step to bypass her.

But Dana suddenly glanced over my shoulder, a sudden, vicious gleam flashing in her eyes.

Without warning, she raised her hand and slapped herself hard across the cheek, then began violently tearing at her own hair.

"Nora, please! I'm sorry! I know it's my fault, but I truly love him!"

I stared at her in utter disbelief. Before I could process the sheer absurdity of her performance, a furious, familiar voice shattered the air.