My fiancé, Zachary, had a weird rule. He never picked up any phone calls after 9 PM. Even when we were head over heels in love. The second the clock struck nine, he would hang up on me without hesitation. One night, I was walking home late and realized someone was stalking me. Panicking, I called him. All I got was his extremely irritated voice through the speaker. “How old are you, Elena? Can you respect other people’s schedules? I’m hanging up.” That night, I spent hours at the police station making a report. I didn’t get home until the next morning. He didn’t even ask if I was okay. Until now. I was using his laptop and accidentally saw his call history synced from his phone. There was a call record from 9 PM to 9 AM the next day. A solid twelve hours. They called every single night, and it had been going on for five years. I knew that number. It belonged to his teaching assistant, Chloe. At that moment, my spine went cold. A wave of exhaustion washed over me. I sat there for a long time until my legs went numb. I silently closed the laptop, logged into my account, and canceled our appointment for the marriage license at City Hall. That call was never meant to light up for me. And I didn’t want to answer it anymore.
When the screen showed the cancellation was successful, Zachary walked out of the bathroom. Seeing me sitting there motionless, he glanced at the time and frowned. “Do you have something to say? It’s almost nine. I need to sleep.” I froze for two seconds, then shook my head. “Nothing.” He nodded. “Okay. Goodnight then.” He didn’t notice the change in my mood. He turned around and went back to his room. I stared into space for a bit. Just as I was about to stand up, his laptop screen lit up. A call from Chloe popped up on his phone and synced to the computer. And Zachary. The man who supposedly never took calls, never spoke, and never replied to messages after 9 PM—he answered it in a split second. He was so eager, as if terrified she would wait even a moment longer. I let out a mocking laugh. How sweet of him. Too bad his exception wasn’t me, his fiancée. I went back to the bedroom. Zachary had already closed his eyes, looking fast asleep. But this time, I noticed things I had never noticed before. For example, his phone was placed face down on the nightstand. And there was a tiny, barely noticeable black earbud in his right ear. I turned off the lights. In the darkness, I replied to the transfer notice my boss had sent me last week. I had declined it back then because I didn’t want to do long-distance with Zachary right after getting married. But now, it was over. My boss replied almost instantly. “Have you made up your mind, Elena? The State Department assignment at the Embassy in Paris is at least five years. If you’re sure, get your visa sorted. You leave in three days.” I typed back: “I’m sure. Thank you.” The man beside me was breathing softly. I figured Chloe must be feeling very safe and warm right now. The next morning, Zachary was standing in the walk-in closet. I got up and touched his phone. It was scorching hot. After packing the documents I needed for my visa, I glanced at him and headed for the door. As we brushed past each other, Zachary stopped me, looking confused. “Aren’t you going to tie my tie today?” I curled my lips into a small smile. “No. You should learn to do it yourself.” I paused. “Or ask your assistant to do it.” Zachary put his things down and walked over, looking at me with confusion. “Are you talking about Chloe?” Just mentioning her name softened his cold, serious face instantly. A warm smile flickered in his eyes. “She actually knows how to do it. She’s a very sweet and attentive girl. But what does that have to do with you tying my tie?” I stayed silent for two seconds. I didn’t even know where to start, so I didn’t bother explaining. “Nothing. I just don’t want to do it anymore.” Zachary pursed his lips, clearly annoyed. “Suit yourself. Oh, by the way, you don’t need to bring me lunch today. Chloe just text me. She said she’s bringing me something.” My hand froze on the doorknob. “Okay.” Zachary had severe stomach issues because of his stressful work, so no matter how busy I was, I used to cook for him every day. Well, this worked out great. I was more than happy to be free of the chore. I didn’t care about his feelings anymore. I opened the door and walked out. I went to the embassy and got my five-year work visa. Then I went to my office to collect my official transfer documents. Placing the papers in my bag, I looked at the cherry blossoms blooming outside the gates. For the first time in five years, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.
On my way home, my boss called. He asked me to go to Columbia University’s literature department to pick up some research files for him. Hanging up, I sighed. I wanted to cut all ties with Zachary, yet he just had to be a professor at Columbia. When I arrived at the department, it was during the peak hour between classes. I couldn’t help but overhear the students talking. “I barely managed to grab a seat in Professor Miller’s class! He is so popular!” “I know, right? The girls go for Professor Miller, and most of the guys go for Chloe. Seriously, they look like a power couple.” My steps slowed down. A sudden wave of bitterness washed over me. In our five years together, Zachary had never once introduced me to his social circle. When we were deeply in love, I used to beg him to introduce me to his friends, or to post a picture of us on Instagram. But Zachary. The esteemed, serious literature professor, would always look at me like I was a spoiled child and scold me. “Elena, grow up.” “You’re not eighteen. Don’t worry about this superficial stuff. It doesn’t suit my professional image.” I had been stunned that day. And I never brought it up again. The girls next to me kept gossiping about Zachary and Chloe. “Honestly, Professor Miller’s profile says he’s engaged, but I bet it’s Chloe! Otherwise, why has no one ever seen his fiancée?” “Definitely. A guy that serious only smiles when Chloe is around.” Their voices faded as they walked away. My steps got slower and slower until I stopped by the corridor window. All the suppressed pain and humiliation of the past five years rushed over me. I took a deep breath. But it was fine. I had a way out. In three days, it would all be over. After picking up the files, I walked past the second faculty office and heard familiar laughter. “Try this! It’s seriously so good!” Through the crack in the door, I saw Chloe and Zachary sitting close together, eating breakfast. Chloe naturally held a strawberry milkshake up to his lips. Zachary hated milkshakes. Once, I made one for him, and he threw a massive fit and walked out, leaving me crying alone in the house. But now. He just frowned slightly, sighed helplessly at Chloe’s puppy-dog eyes, and drank it with pure indulgence. Chloe’s eyes sparkled. “How is it? Good?” Zachary nodded. “Not bad.” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. Behind my back, Zachary was actually capable of being this gentle and accommodating. I just had never seen this side of him in five years. Not even once. Inside the office, Zachary naturally took a napkin and wiped some crumbs from the corner of Chloe’s mouth, asking softly. “Did you sleep well last night? Any insomnia?” “Very well,” Chloe smiled. “You know I sleep like a baby as long as you’re on FaceTime with me.” She seemed to think of something. “But I heard you don’t take calls after 9 PM. Am I disturbing you?” Zachary replied without a second thought, “You are the exception.” Those four words. They twisted around my heart like thorny vines, making it hard to breathe. Hearing him say it with his own lips… After the initial suffocating pain, I just felt numb. Pulling out a thorn hurts, but once it’s out, time will heal the wound. I leaned against the wall, took a deep breath to clear my eyes, and walked away. When I got home, I pulled out my suitcase and started packing. After living here for five years, my belongings couldn’t even fill a single suitcase. In the evening, Zachary called. “Get ready to go downstairs. We’re having dinner at my mom’s place tonight.” “Okay,” I replied. When I reached his Maybach parked by the curb, I habitually opened the front passenger door. Only to find Chloe sitting there, eating a cupcake. “Hi, Elena!” Looking at the crumbs falling all over the leather seat, my first instinct was to look at Zachary. He absolutely detested anyone eating in his car. Especially me. But right now, his expression was completely calm, as if he was totally used to it. I suddenly realized. Ah, I almost forgot. Chloe was the exception in his life. Chloe hurriedly wiped her mouth and made a move to get up. “Maybe I should sit in the back, I…” I gave her a polite, calm smile. “It’s fine. You stay there. It’s just a seat.” I opened the back door and climbed in. I caught the brief flash of confusion in Zachary’s eyes. But I didn’t care. In the past, this had happened before. But every single time, Zachary would snap at me with annoyance. “Elena, it’s just a seat. Don’t make a big deal out of nothing.” Looking at the rain pattering against the window, I realized I didn’t feel sad or hurt anymore. The peace inside me was almost shocking. Yeah. It was just a seat. Just a man. To me, they were the same now. If they were dirty, I’d just throw them away.
When we arrived at the Miller estate, Mrs. Miller was waiting outside. Chloe hopped out of the car. She ran over and grabbed Mrs. Miller’s arm, acting cute. “Mrs. Miller! It’s so windy out here. Why did you come out? Let’s go inside.” Mrs. Miller smiled warmly. “I was waiting for you, darling. I felt so bad making you work under Zachary. He has such a difficult temper.” Chloe glanced at Zachary, who was standing nearby with a soft smile. Her ears turned slightly pink. “Professor Miller is great. I love working with him.” The two of them began walking inside. After walking a few steps, Mrs. Miller seemed to remember something and turned around. Her gaze cooled down when she saw me. “Oh, Elena is here too. Come in quickly, don’t freeze.” That was all she said. Zachary walked up to me, looking down with a frown. “Are you in a bad mood?” “No.” I just felt relieved. He pursed his lips. “If things are going badly at your work, I hope you don’t bring that attitude into my family’s home. I don’t want to deal with a sulking face all evening.” My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my palms stinging. It was hilarious. For a split second, I had actually wondered if he was asking out of concern. I stopped in my tracks. The love in my eyes was gone, replaced by absolute emptiness. “If I’m unhappy, I’ll show it. If you don’t like looking at my face, then don’t look.” “I am not your servant. I don’t exist to please you.” Zachary’s face hardened, his annoyance clear. “Elena, you are an adult. We are about to get married. I don’t want an emotionally unstable wife.” I let out a cold laugh. “Then who do you think fits your perfect standard?” He looked like he was seriously considering it, but I already knew the answer in his heart. “No matter what, you are the one I’m marrying.” “But I do think you could learn a thing or two from Chloe. She knows how to manage her emotions perfectly, you know?” I stared at him for two seconds. Then, I smiled. “Sure.” We sat down at the dining table. Mrs. Miller sat Chloe and Zachary on either side of her. I sat in a corner where I wouldn’t disturb them. Once the food was served, I realized something. There wasn’t a single dish on the table that I liked. Mrs. Miller was beaming, constantly putting food onto Chloe’s plate. “Look at how thin you are.” “You need to take care of yourself. Zachary told me all your favorite foods so I could have the chef make them.” Chloe smiled shyly. “Thank you, Mrs. Miller.” Mrs. Miller then paused. She looked at me awkwardly, forcing a smile. “Elena, I didn’t know what you liked to eat. Just help yourself.” Zachary placed a piece of pineapple pizza on my plate. “Next time, tell me what you want to eat in advance, and I’ll have the housekeepers prepare it.” “You don’t really have any strong preferences anyway.” “Unlike Chloe. She loves sweet and sour things, like pineapple pizza. Just like a kid.” I looked down. Staring at the pineapple pizza on my plate—the very fruit that I was highly allergic to—I lost myself in thought. Five years. We had been together for five years. And he still needed me to “tell him in advance” what I liked and disliked. Every detail he knew about Chloe’s preferences was like a slap in my face, mocking my five years of devotion. My phone buzzed. It was an email from my boss with my flight details. Tomorrow morning at 8 AM. My heart finally settled. I was free. I didn’t touch my fork during the entire dinner. Zachary didn’t even notice. I was just a ghost at the table, quietly watching the three of them act like a happy family. I couldn’t fit in. And I didn’t want to.
On the way home, Chloe sat in the front passenger seat again. Zachary was dropping her off first. I sat in the back, texting my landlord in Paris about my new apartment. “Come sit in the front,” Zachary suddenly said. Without looking up, I replied, “No need.” Silence stretched for a few seconds. “Suit yourself.” I ignored him, looking at the photos of the bright, beautiful Parisian apartment. I paid the deposit immediately. When we got home, he took a photo album out of his briefcase and walked over to me. “Want to take a look?” I took it, confused, and realized it was a wedding catalog. “Pick a dress soon. The wedding is in a month. The designers need time to make adjustments.” He pointed to a dress covered in delicate white flowers. “I think this one is perfect.” A flash of contempt crossed my eyes. He really thought of her in everything, didn’t he? If this were the old me, I would have thrown a fit. But now, I just nodded calmly. “Sure. It looks nice. Let’s go with this one.” Anyway, I was leaving in two days. What did a wedding in a month have to do with me? Zachary seemed highly satisfied with my obedience. He leaned down and planted a kiss on my forehead as a reward. “Good girl.” “This is how you should behave. I don’t like the attitude you had earlier today. Don’t let it happen again, okay?” With that, he went into the bathroom. I grabbed a disinfectant wipe and scrubbed my forehead until the skin turned red. By 9 PM, Zachary turned off the lights and got into bed. His phone was face down, his Bluetooth earbud firmly in his right ear. He didn’t notice the empty vanity table or the empty bathroom cabinets. He didn’t even see the suitcase standing by my side of the bed. Of course. Except for Chloe, he didn’t care about anyone else. In the middle of the night, I was suddenly woken up by a sharp scream coming from his earbud. Beside me, Zachary bolted upright. He panicked, shouting into his mic, his voice trembling violently. “Chloe? What’s wrong?!” In the quiet room, I could hear Chloe sobbing hysterically on the other end. The man who prided himself on being calm and never breaking his rules instantly lost his mind. He threw off the covers and ran out of the house in his pajamas. His 9 PM rule? His precious sleeping schedule? Everything was thrown out the window for Chloe. I had no intention of following him, but I couldn’t sleep either. I scrolled through my phone out of boredom. The Columbia University student forum was blowing up. “Some creep broke into the faculty housing! I think Chloe from the literature department is in trouble!” “She’s fine, she’s fine! Live update here: the creep was trying to break her window, but Professor Miller showed up!” “Holy crap, Professor Miller looked terrifying, like a wild beast. He literally beat the guy half to death!” “The NYPD is here now.” I watched the live updates. Every post had pictures. They pierced my eyes in the dark, cold bedroom. Then, someone posted a video. I clicked on it. The man who always talked about rules and decorum was acting like a madman. He was throwing heavy punches at a masked man on the ground. He only stopped when the police pulled him off. Then, he turned around and wrapped Chloe in a tight embrace. He pressed her face against his chest, shielding her from the bloody scene. “Don’t worry. I’m here.” The video instantly went viral on local social media. Everyone was praising him, saying how attractive a protective man was. I stared at the video for a long time. Then, I liked a comment that read: “They look so in love, hope they stay together forever.” I closed the app. Zachary didn’t come back that night. I wasn’t surprised at all. I slept peacefully until 6 AM. Grabbing my suitcase and my passport, I took one last look at the wedding catalogs on the table. I left my keys on the entryway table. And walked out without looking back. At the airport, I posted a public announcement on my Instagram, pinning it to the top of my profile. Then, I boarded the plane. The moment the plane took off, Zachary and I were over forever.
At that exact moment, Zachary, who was keeping Chloe company in her dorm, suddenly felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his chest. Chloe looked up, worried. “Zachary, what’s wrong? Are you okay? You look pale.” Zachary took a deep breath. After a moment, the pain subsided. He poured a glass of warm water for her. “I’m fine.” He couldn’t figure out why his heart ached so badly, so he brushed it off. “I was probably just too panicked when I heard you were in danger. Now that the adrenaline is fading, my heart is just racing a bit.” Chloe’s ears flushed. Thinking about what had happened, she was still trembling. “Thank you.” “If it weren’t for you tonight, I don’t know what…” She paused. “Please don’t tell your mom. She’ll worry herself to death.” Zachary nodded. Seeing Chloe shivering on the bed, too terrified to close her eyes, he sighed. “Go to sleep. I’ll stay here tonight. I won’t leave.” A flash of triumph crossed Chloe’s eyes. “Okay.” She closed her eyes, but her hand reached out to grab his fingers, holding on tightly. Zachary frowned. His instinct was to pull away. But seeing how shaken she was, he relented. She’s just a young girl, he reasoned. Then he thought of Elena. He had rushed out in such a hurry. He wondered how she was doing at home. He pulled out his phone and sent her a text. “Chloe is fine now. Don’t worry. Go back to sleep.” He waited. No reply. The chat remained silent. Zachary’s breathing turned heavy. But then he figured she must be asleep. It was normal not to reply at this hour. He put his phone away, gently freed his hand from Chloe’s grasp, and sat down on the single armchair across the room. The next morning. The moment he walked out of the faculty housing, Zachary realized something was off. Everyone who ran into him and Chloe was giving them weird looks. Professor Carter from the math department gave him a sly grin. “Congrats, Professor Miller! I didn’t know you and the beautiful Chloe were getting married. You kept it so quiet!” “When is the wedding? You better invite us for a drink!” His wife, Mrs. Carter, smiled. “Oh, hush, you’re too old to be drinking. But Professor Miller is a lucky man. Chloe is such a sweet girl.” Zachary was completely bewildered. He quickly interrupted. “Wait, Chloe and I are not getting married. She is not my fiancée. I’m already engaged.” He pulled two wedding invitations from his bag and handed them over. “My fiancée’s name is Elena. Our wedding is next month. You’re more than welcome to come.” Professor Carter and his wife exchanged a glance. The atmosphere turned instantly awkward. “It’s… not Chloe? But you two usually…” Mrs. Carter nudged her husband, smiling uncomfortably. “Right, right. Congratulations anyway!” They hurried away. But Zachary still caught their whispered scoffs from down the hall: “Is he crazy? He has a fiancée but spent the entire night in Chloe’s room…” Zachary frowned, feeling a knot in his chest. He only saw Chloe as a younger sister. What was wrong with taking care of her? But as he walked through the campus, more and more people kept congratulating him and Chloe. It got to the point where even his students started teasing him in class. Zachary couldn’t take it anymore. His face turned icy cold, all his usual gentle demeanor vanishing. “Quiet down. Let me make something clear. There have been a lot of ridiculous rumors about me and Chloe lately.” “I hope you all have the intelligence to stop spreading them. Chloe is my mother’s student, and she is like a younger sister to me. I have a fiancée, and we are getting married next month.” The noisy classroom fell dead silent. The students stared at each other in shock. One brave girl from the front row spoke up. “But Professor Miller, if Chloe isn’t your girlfriend, why are you two always so touchy-feely?” Zachary’s brow furrowed. He honestly couldn’t understand the question. “Touchy-feely?” “I don’t think we are. I have a fiancée. I only look after Chloe because my mother asked me to.” Several girls in the back snickered. Finally, a girl from another department spoke up boldly. “But Professor, the university forum is full of posts shipping you two, and you’ve never denied them.” “We all know she’s special to you.” “A ‘sister’? Does a sister tie your tie and feed you breakfast in public?” Half the classroom burst into giggles. Some students secretly gave the girl a thumbs-up. Zachary’s face turned incredibly dark. To him, those things were completely harmless. It was just an older brother pampering his younger sister. Why on earth would these students interpret it that way? His terrifyingly dark expression eventually silenced the classroom. Zachary spent the rest of the lecture in a quiet rage, wishing the class would just end. The way his students looked at him was deeply unsettling. They looked at him like he was a cheater. But he had done nothing wrong. Cheating… Zachary detested that word. Elena is sensible, Zachary thought. She would never think of me that way. Suddenly, his phone on the podium started buzzing frantically. He picked it up. It was a barrage of messages from his mother. “Zachary, have you seen Elena’s Instagram?! What happened between you two? Why did she cancel the wedding?!”
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