1 I had finally managed to score tickets to the World Cup, the one event Sienna loved more than anything. I was practically buzzing with excitement as I went to find her, but my steps faltered when I overheard her friend talking to her in the dressing room. “Gavin practically begged his boss for time off to take you to this game,” her friend was saying, sounding deeply concerned. “He pulled so many strings to get those tickets, Sienna. It’s really not right for you to go with Jasper instead.” Sienna didn’t even look up. She simply admired her freshly painted nails, her tone casual and entirely indifferent. “Going with Gavin is boring. I’m just used to watching the World Cup with Jasper. We’ve done it every single time.” Boring. Used to it. Those six words felt like twelve sharp slaps to my face, stinging with the weight of the twelve years I had spent loving her. Three World Cups had passed in our dozen years together. The first two times, she had used my hard-earned money to fly out and watch the games with Jasper. I had fought with her about it back then. She had held me close, whispering sweet promises to quiet my anger. “Jasper and I grew up together, babe. It’s just a habit. He was the one beside me long before you came into my life. I promise, next time, it’ll just be the two of us.” And like a fool, I believed her. I waited four long years. Yet here we were again, and her habit still had no room for me. I stared down at the pristine tickets in my hands and let out a quiet, self-deprecating laugh. Slowly, deliberately, I ripped the tickets down the middle and tossed the pieces into the trash can. It turned out that for twelve years, I was never a partner. I was just a placeholder runner in her marathon. She was right. It really was boring. When Sienna finally came home, she was cradling Jasper’s fluffy white cat in her arms. “Hey, babe, do you mind watching Jasper’s cat for a little while?” As the words left her mouth, she finally looked up and noticed me packing my suitcase. Her expression hardened instantly. “Stop packing, Gavin.” “It was Jasper’s birthday last month, and his only wish was for me to watch the World Cup with him this year.” “I already promised him I would.” Her tone was soft, but there was no room for discussion. She wasn’t asking. She was simply delivering a verdict. I ignored her, slipping my passport and social security card into the innermost zipper of my suitcase. My parents had mailed me those documents from upstate two weeks ago so we could register our marriage. We were supposed to walk down to City Hall next month, on the ninth, to sign the papers and make it official. But as I zipped the pocket shut, a wave of relief washed over me. A clean break now was infinitely better than a messy divorce later. I didn’t even look up, my voice dropping to a cold whisper. “Four years ago, you promised me this World Cup would be ours.” “That’s completely different!” her voice sharpened. “Jasper is a friend. If I break a promise to him, it looks terrible. I can’t just back out.” My heart felt like a stagnant pool of ice water. I finally raised my eyes to look at her. “Out of the three of us, I’m the one who feels like the outsider.” Sienna’s jaw tightened. “Are you really going to be this petty and jealous again? Can you please just stop?” “Jasper and I grew up in the same sandbox. I’ve told you a thousand times, we are strictly platonic!” “We are getting married next month, Gavin! Do you seriously have zero trust in me?” “You have no idea how exhausting you are!” She pressed her palm to her forehead, sighing dramatically. Every single time Jasper’s name came up, she played the victim, acting as if my boundaries were a heavy cross she had to bear. “I’m exhausted too,” I said quietly. I closed the lid of my suitcase. “If you’re so used to having Jasper beside you, go with him. I have no interest in begging for a seat anymore.” Sienna blinked, momentarily stunned by my lack of shouting. Assuming I was simply giving in like I always did, she let out a breath of relief. “Don’t overthink things, okay? I’ll bring you back something nice from the trip.” The white cat slid out of her arms, landing gracefully in front of my suitcase. “Jasper’s family is out of town,” Sienna continued, her voice light. “And my parents can’t stand cat dander in their house. He couldn’t find anyone else to watch him at such short notice, so you’ll have to take care of him for a little while. Thanks, babe.” He takes care of my woman, and I take care of his cat. Unbelievable. Her phone buzzed, the screen lighting up. Even without looking, I knew from the sudden softness in her eyes that it was Jasper. Before heading into the study to take the call, she tossed a casual command over her shoulder. “The cat’s been meowing all morning. He’s probably hungry. Jasper says he loves fresh steamed sea bass, so make sure you prep a fish for him.” Twelve years together, and she spoke to me with the casual authority of a master instructing a butler. Without waiting for my reply, she slipped into the study and shut the door. I pushed my packed suitcase to the corner. My company had given me three days to hand over my responsibilities before my transfer upstate took effect. In three days, I wouldn’t just be leaving this city. I would be leaving Sienna, and the twelve years we had shared, far behind. Passing by the study, I heard her laughter drifting through the door. She was on a video call with Jasper, whose cheerful voice echoed through her speakers. Sienna’s tone was smug, dripping with absolute certainty. “I’ve been with Gavin for twelve years. He’s spent every single day catering to my whims. Why do you think every World Cup has been with you? He won’t make a scene. Just pack your bags and get ready for a good time.” I froze in the hallway, the chill in my chest hardening into solid ice. From age eighteen to thirty, I had devoted the best years of my life to her. I had cut off every other woman who showed interest, keeping my eyes solely on her. Among her friends, I was known as the perfect, most understanding boyfriend. Even when we fought bitterly over Jasper, I kept it behind closed doors to protect her dignity. But my discretion had only become her leverage. My silence was her license to walk all over me. A cold sneer crept onto my lips. Enjoy it while it lasts, Sienna. Because after today, I am never catering to you again. As I went through my remaining things, I noticed that one of the custom herbal sleep pillows my grandmother had made for me was missing. I had struggled with chronic insomnia due to high work stress. My grandmother had traveled to a renowned herbalist in the countryside to get me two special lavender-infused sleep pillows to rotate. On her journey back from getting those pillows, she was struck by a car and passed away. Those pillows were the most precious, irreplaceable keepsakes she had left me. When Sienna came out of the study, purse in hand, ready to head out, I stopped her. “Do you know where my other herbal pillow is? The one my grandma made.” Sienna paused, thinking for a moment. “Check the guest room. Jasper was staying there last week. If it’s not there, he probably took it back to his place.” We had lived in this apartment for seven years. Initially, we rented it, but later, I bought it outright from the landlord. At the time, wanting to prove my devotion, I put the deed under Sienna’s name. I had argued that a two-bedroom apartment was plenty for just the two of us. But she had insisted on a three-bedroom place, claiming it was for “guest convenience.” Yet in all these years, she had never allowed any of her girlfriends to stay over. Even when her best friend went through a messy breakup and got blackout drunk, Sienna had insisted on booking her a hotel instead of letting her use the guest room. The only person who ever slept in that room was Jasper. Whenever he got too drunk to drive, I would offer to call him a cab or get him a hotel room nearby. But Sienna would always block me, playing the “we’re practically siblings” card. She knew exactly how much it bothered me, how much it wounded my pride. Yet, she let Jasper claim that bedroom night after night, often presenting it to me as a completed fact before I could even object. Later, to quiet my protests, she installed security cameras in the common areas, claiming that having everything on tape was proof of their pure, platonic innocence. The guest room had essentially become Jasper’s private suite, constantly cluttered with his personal belongings: his brand of cigarettes, his shaver, his watch, and even his spare underwear. In the past, finding those things would have triggered a screaming match. This time, I simply walked into the guest room, saw that the pillow wasn’t there, and quietly walked out. Without a word of protest, I took my keys and drove straight to Jasper’s house. Jasper opened the door, his eyes widening in faux surprise. “Well, look who it is! Gavin, I don’t think you’ve ever set foot in my place before.” He offered a greasy, welcoming smile. “Come on in.” “I’m just here for my grandmother’s pillow,” I said, stepping past him. He chuckled, turning toward the kitchen to pour some water. I noticed his thumbs flying across his phone screen as he walked. He was texting Sienna, undoubtedly playing the victim. “Don’t bother with the water,” I called out. “I’m leaving as soon as I get it.” He walked back, scratching the back of his neck with an innocent shrug. “Honestly, I can’t remember where she put it. Why don’t you check the second room on the right? Sienna slept there the other night.” My chest tightened. I had never known Sienna to stay overnight at his place. Walking down the hall, I glanced at his balcony. Hanging on the drying rack, interspersed with his clothes, were Sienna’s garments, including her silk underwear, clipped right next to his boxers. Jasper followed my gaze and offered a breezy, casual explanation. “Oh, Sienna had a few too many drinks last night. She ended up throwing up all over herself and my shirt. I had to wash everything for her.” It sounded like an explanation, but the smug look in his eyes made it a blatant provocation. Years ago, he wouldn’t have dared to be this obvious. He used to swear up and down that they were just childhood friends with zero feelings involved. Lately, however, he had dropped the act entirely, adopting a silent, mocking attitude of believe what you want. Now, he was actively declaring war, waiting for me to lose my mind and tear down the thin veil of their “friendship.” In the past, a stunt like this would have earned him a fist to the jaw. I had hit him before out of sheer jealousy, which always resulted in screaming matches with Sienna. But this time, I simply gave a quiet nod. “I see.” As I looked away, my eyes brushed against a bottle of Sienna’s favorite dietary supplements sitting on his coffee table, mirroring the bag of Jasper’s favorite coffee beans that always sat on our kitchen counter. I was far calmer than I ever expected to be. Jasper’s smug expression flickered, replaced by a flash of disappointment. He had wanted a fight. He had wanted to play the fragile victim so Sienna would rush to his defense. I stepped into the bedroom. The entire wall above his headboard was covered in a massive, heart-shaped collage of photos featuring him and Sienna. There were goofy polaroids from their childhood, candid shots from high school, and professional studio portraits where they looked like a blissfully happy couple. Right in the center was a large, beautifully framed photo. Sienna was wearing a gorgeous white gown with a delicate tulle veil, laughing as she ran hand-in-hand through a field with Jasper, who wore a tailored suit. It wasn’t a wedding photo, but it might as well have been. In every single picture, Sienna’s smile was radiant, entirely unburdened. “We’ve collected these over the years,” Jasper said, watching my face closely. “Just keeping all our best memories in one place.” I felt a strange, hollow sensation. When your heart truly dies, anger simply evaporates. “They’re lovely memories,” I replied, my voice devoid of emotion. He smirked, stepping closer. “Want to join us for a picture sometime, Gavin?” I let out a soft, humorless laugh. He was letting me know, in no uncertain terms, that I was the interloper here. Despite twelve years beside Sienna, I was still the stranger knocking at their door. “A game built for two gets crowded when a third tries to play,” I said, looking him dead in the eye. “Now, where is my grandmother’s pillow?” Flustered by my cold detachment, Jasper’s smile faltered. He turned to his wardrobe, rummaging through the shelves with exaggerated drama. “Sienna is so disorganized sometimes,” he muttered, tossing aside several of her shirts, including some delicate lace lingerie. “I don’t know where she put it. I’ll have to give her a serious talking-to.” I watched his little performance in absolute silence. He looked back at me, a sharp, knowing glint in his eye. “Gavin, don’t get the wrong idea. Sienna only stays here maybe seven nights a month. Every girl needs her own space, right? Especially when you’re traveling for work, she likes to come clear her head here. She’s lazy when she’s here. She expects me to pamper her, so she doesn’t lift a finger.” Every word was a calculated jab wrapped in a faux-friendly explanation. “Your arrangement is none of my business,” I said. “I just want the pillow.” Determined to find my breaking point, Jasper walked over to the neatly made bed and whipped back the duvet. There, lying right at the head of the bed, was my grandmother’s hand-embroidered pillow, looking entirely out of place next to a half-empty box of ultra-thin condoms. Jasper stood back, his eyes darting between me and the box, waiting for the eruption. I didn’t blink. “I have things to do today. Let’s speed this up.” “Maybe she put it in the walk-in closet,” Jasper muttered, clearly annoyed by my lack of reaction. I followed him into the closet. An open suitcase lay on the floor, half-packed with summer clothes. Resting right on top was a brand-new, unopened box of the exact same ultra-thin condoms. “I’m packing for our flight tomorrow,” Jasper said, watching me closely. “The World Cup only happens once every four years, you know. Everyone wants to get in, but the stadium seats are limited.” He leaned against the wardrobe, a smug, metaphorical grin on his face. “If you don’t belong in the stadium, no amount of squeezing will get you a seat. The seats are assigned from the very beginning. Some people are just destined to stay outside.” My patience evaporated. My voice turned ice-cold. “I came for the pillow, Jasper. As for Sienna? She’s all yours. You can keep her.” He froze, his smugness replaced by sudden panic. “Gavin, what are you talking about? Don’t make things weird. I was just talking about the football game.” “I want my grandmother’s pillow,” I repeated, each word heavy and deliberate. His eyes flickered, and he snapped his fingers. “Oh, right! I remember now. Follow me.” He led me to a third room, which had been converted into a luxurious play area for his cat. The moment I stepped through the door, my eyes landed on the rectangular herbal pillow, its delicate green embroidery stained and soaked, lying face-down inside the plastic cat litter box. A sickening stench of cat urine filled the room. My blood boiled, the heat rushing straight to my head. Jasper looked down at the ruined heirloom, putting on a pained, apologetic grimace. “Oh, man. I’m so sorry, Gavin. My cat is a little terror. It’s just a pillow, though. I’ll buy you a much better one to replace it. Sienna really shouldn’t have let the cat play with it.” The sheer, malicious disrespect snapped my final thread of self-control. Without a word, I pivoted and threw a hard, sweeping right hook directly into Jasper’s jaw. He crashed into the floor, his head slamming against a cat scratching post. “Gavin!” A sharp screech echoed from the doorway. Sienna rushed in, throwing herself over Jasper. She cradled his head, panic written all over her face as she looked at the dark red blood trickling from his split lip. Jasper groaned, putting on his best noble victim act. “Sienna, don’t… don’t be mad at Gavin. It was my fault.” Sienna glared up at me, her eyes burning with fury. “It’s just a stupid pillow! Was that really worth assaulting him over?!” My vision blurred with tears of pure rage. I stepped forward, and before she could react, I slapped her across the face. “Yes, it was.” Sienna’s head snapped to the side, a bright red handprint blooming on her cheek. She stared at me in absolute, horrified disbelief. “Gavin… you slapped me? Have you completely lost your mind?!” “I’m finally waking up from the nightmare of loving you,” I spat, my voice shaking with raw hatred. “Twelve years, Sienna. I regret every single second I spent loving you.” I turned on my heel and walked out. Behind me, her furious voice echoed down the corridor. “What is wrong with you?!” The next afternoon, after handing over my final files at the office, I rolled my suitcases through the airport terminal. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Jasper. I ordered ten premium pillows to your apartment. They should arrive in a couple of days. Also, Sienna and I are boarding our flight now. My cat is quite sensitive, so I’ve attached a care schedule and dietary spreadsheet. Make sure you stick to it. A second later, a text from Sienna came through. On the ninth of next month, I’ll be back. I’ll meet you at City Hall right on time to sign the marriage license. I stared at the screen and let out a cold, sharp laugh. On time? Sienna, that is an appointment I will never keep. From now on, you fly to your World Cup, and I fly to my freedom.
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