Chapter 7
By the time Loretta got home, her emotions had finally settled.
When she woke the next morning, she realized she was one day closer to leaving.
She’d gone alone to see her favorite singer’s concert, recording the sea of blue lights and the roar of thousands of fans. Loretta pinned that video to the top of her feed, then wiped every post she’d ever shared during her relationship–every photo, every sweet update, gone in a heartbeat.
Her close friends all knew she was about to chase her dreams. One by one, they commented words of
“Loretta, I hope one day I can be your biggest fan too!“}
“Future superstar, can I pre–order an autograph now?“>
encouragement under her post.
Even Xavier, who hadn’t shown any sign of life for days, liked her post. The sudden red heart caught Loretta off guard–she remembered he never posted on social media, never even browsed other people’s updates.
It wasn’t until she read the string of messages from Genevieve that she understood why.
“Loretta, I added that woman–she’s infuriating!”
Attached were screenshots, all showing Fidelia’s daily life: sunset over the beach, strolling through fields of flowers, candlelit dinners with city lights twinkling outside…
And under every post? Xavier’s comments.
“Why didn’t you share the photo I took?”
“I heard the cherry blossoms at West Hill are blooming–I’ll take you there in a few days.“}
“The shrimp’s a pain to peel, but if you like it, I don’t mind.“}
Scrolling through them one by one, it looked just like the everyday life of a happy couple.
So that’s how it was. He’d been glued to Fidelia’s updates, and must have stumbled across Loretta’s by accident–hence the absentminded “like.“}
Loretta smiled faintly, soothed Genevieve with a few words, then quietly gathered everything Xavier had given her over the last three years: gifts, matching knickknacks, photos, and journals. She carried it all downstairs, trip after trip, ready to throw it away–until Xavier suddenly showed up.
He seemed to be in a good mood, smiling with his eyes as he walked. When he saw her, he paused, then changed course to meet her directly.”
“What’s in the boxes? You throwing all that out?“>
“Just some old stuff I don’t need anymore.”
Xavier nodded, handed her a box of cake, and bent down to help.
Loretta froze for a second when she saw the cake.
“What made you buy cake all of a sudden?”
At her words, Xavier straightened, his smile fading as he looked at her.
“You don’t remember? Today’s my birthday.”}
His birthday?
It took Loretta a moment to recall–it really was around this time. Just a month ago, she’d been wracking her brain over what gift to get him. But after she found out she was just a stand–in and decided to leave, she’d pushed his birthday out of her mind. After all, he’d soon be her ex–why bother remembering his birthday??
As a flicker of realization crossed her face, Xavier’s breathing grew heavier.
At midnight, a dozen people had messaged him birthday wishes. Only Loretta hadn’t said a word. He’d assumed she was planning some kind of surprise. Turns out… she’d just forgotten?}
It shouldn’t have mattered, but for some reason, Xavier felt unsettled, his chest tightening with discomfort. She’d always gone all out for his birthday and every anniversary–why forget this year? She was supposed to be the one who loved him most.
He was about to say something when his phone chimed with a string of messages.
Fidelia had thrown him a birthday party. As Xavier read the address and saw his friends joking in the group chat, his mood brightened; the shadows vanished from his face, Smiling, he answered the messages and started to leave, but Loretta called after him. “Your birthday.“%
Xavier faltered. Tve got something to do right now. How about we celebrate together when I get back tonight?”
Loretta just nodded, quietly watching him walk away.
Once he’d disappeared from sight, she dumped every last box into the overflowing trash. Seeing the delight on Xavier’s face as he left, she knew he wouldn’t be coming back to celebrate with her.
Strangely enough, she felt relieved.}
She tossed the cake in after the boxes and headed upstairs.
A few hours later, Dailey messaged her.”
“We’re leaving tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at nine.“>
She sent back a quick OK, but just then, one of Xavier’s friends sent her a voice message.}
“Loretta, come to the Hilton–something happened to Xavier, hurry!“}
His voice was panicked, urgent. Loretta froze.}
An instant later, Genevieve called, her voice thick with tears.
“Loretta, my brother–something’s happened to my brother-“}
The seriousness of the situation finally hit her. Heart racing, Loretta grabbed her bag and ran out to hail a cab.
1612)
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