Chapter 1: After the Love Has Gone

I prepared a Christmas dinner, waiting for Helena Hawthorne to come home. However, she ignored the meal, packing a suitcase. Coldly, she announced, "I won't be spending Christmas with you this year."

I ate in silence. At midnight, Helena's lover posted an Instagram photo: Helena, intimately leaning against him, with fireworks in the background. The caption read, "She said she'd leave everything to be with me, as long as I wanted it."

This time, I didn't react. I simply liked the post. A moment later, a frantic Helena called, "Don't be mad! I'll spend next Christmas with you…"

I chuckled wryly. "It's a pity we won't have this year anymore."

Helena arrived home the next day. Unlike previous years, I didn't wait for her. A text message arrived: "Where are you?"

I was having lunch. I replied, "Come back yourself. I'm having lunch."

Later, while washing dishes, Helena entered, tired and breathless. She stared at my back. "I haven't had lunch. Can you cook something?"

In the past, I would have obliged. This time, I said, "I don't have time. Eat at one of the shops downstairs."

Helena glared, then suppressed her anger. "I know you're mad about last night, but please stop this tantrum. I'm really hungry."

I dried my hands. "I'm not mad."

Helena didn't believe me. "Jaxon's alone in this city, so I need to be with him, as a friend or not."

I replied quietly, "Sure. I understand."

Helena searched my eyes. Wearily, she said, "You're exhausting me. Stop this tantrum."

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. You don't need to explain."

She looked at me for a minute, then retrieved a model airplane from her suitcase. "Your Christmas present," she said casually.

The unwrapped, creased airplane was a stark contrast to the elaborately wrapped gift Jaxon Fletcher had shown off on Instagram.

I accepted it without expression. "Thank you," I said politely.

Dissatisfaction flickered in Helena's eyes. "Is that all?" she demanded angrily.

"That's all," I replied.

Helena's face paled. She held out her hands. "Where's mine?"

I realized my oversight. "Sorry, I forgot. I'll Venmo you money to buy whatever you want."

I transferred the money. Helena's eyes widened in shock. We'd always exchanged gifts; I'd always remembered, even when she'd forgotten.

The air grew awkward. I grabbed my coat, ready to leave.

Helena stopped me. "Where are you going?"

"Out drinking with friends," I replied simply, closing the door behind me, ignoring her shouts.

Since dating Helena, I'd stopped drinking at her request. My friends had stopped inviting me because of her. Finally, I could drink freely again.