1

836words2026-01-26 09:12

By our third year, Ethan had fallen for someone else. Just like that, he walked away from me.
At his birthday party,he had his arm around a petite,sweet-looking woman,telling his friends,"A woman's gotta be innocent and pure."
Someone asked,"What about Sophie?"

"Sophie? I've been with her for three years. She's fun, sure, but sometimes you need to switch things up, right?"
Oh—the Sophie in his words was me.
And his new girlfriend? My dad’s illegitimate daughter.
But that’s fine.
I’ve changed my taste, too. ...
Ethan didn’t send me an invitation for his birthday party.

My textes to him got no answer like stones thrown in the ocean.
I had to dig through my contacts,pestering mutual friends,to get the address.
When I arrived,crowd was cheering wildly in the room.
The man lounging on the leather couch was locked in a passionate kiss with a woman.

Her cheeks were flushed as she nestled against his chest.
It was Chloe Evans,my father's illegitimate daughter.
"Don't we need to tell Sophie?"
"Duh,open your eyes,man.He's moved on."
...
A few guys by the door whispered among themselves.
That's when I walked in.
The room's hot vibe plummeted to icy silence at once.
I smiled."What's wrong my,dear?Why'd you stop kissing?"
"Am I interrupting?"
All eyes landed on me.
"Ethan,twenty years of knowing each other,and you don't invite me to your birthday?"
I sauntered over to him with ease,popped open a bottle of beer neatly,and poured it into a pint glass.
The moment our eyes met,I caught the irritation in his gaze.
"Sophia Reed,can't you act like a lady for once?"
Before I could snap back,Chloe,perched beside him,started sniffling."Ethan,please,don't fight over me.It's all my fault,I shouldn't have..."
She looked like a pitiful cute little rabbit,begging for sympathy.
I didn't hesitate.I slapped her hard across her face.
"So you know what you are,huh?Your mom seduced my dad,and now you're after my boyfriend?"
"Wow, your family really passed down the mistress gene, huh?."
"Sophia,that's enough!"
Ethan shoved me aside,pulling Chloe protectively into his arms.
If we hadn't been together for three years,I might've clapped at their act.
"Sophia,since you're here,I'll say it to your face.We're done."
"Three years,and I'm bored."
I sneered."I've got big boobs and butts—where am I not woman enough?You only like her because she blushes after a kiss?"
"Bored?Last night,when we were going at it in your car,when you said you'd marry me,you didn't seem bored then!"
"You're nothing but a bastard!"
Ethan was speechless,caught off guard by my outburst.
Just then,a clean-cut,innocent-looking guy came in to deliver more drinks.
I grabbed his hand and kissed him hard.
His lips carried a cool,fruity scent.
The room was so quiet that I could hear my own heartbeat.
After what seemed to be forever,I released the stunned guy.
Turning to Ethan,whose face was dark with rage,I said,"Good timing.I'm bored too."
"We're done,scumbag."
I silently thanked my deadbeat dad for giving me a fiercely competitive streak.
It's why I held my head high no matter what back in that room,pride over pain.
But once I stepped out,reality hit.
Ethan and I were over.
Three years of love,gone.
"Girl,you've got a strong grip."
A soft,sticky voice snapped me out of it.
I realized I'd dragged the guy from the room along with me.
I let go immediately,apologizing sheepishly.
I called a cab,ready to leave.
But he grabbed me."You just use me and ditch me?"
"Girl,kissing someone like that comes with responsibility."
It was early fall,but I suddenly felt so hot over my body.
His gaze was raw,like he wanted to devour me whole.
Oh no.
Was he after a sugar mama?
I was decked out in designer clothes—my wealth wasn't hard to spot.
But I had no interest in keeping a boy toy.
That kiss was just to humiliate Ethan.
The thought of this gorgeous guy eyeing my wallet made me even more fed up with men.
I quickly pulled a few hundred-dollar bills from my purse and handed them over.
He looked confused.
"Don't push it.It was just a kiss."
His expression suggested it wasn't enough.
I reached for more,but he stopped me."Girl,I don't want your money."
"How about you make it up to me...physically?"
...
I slept with a guy I'd just met.
He was the first man I had been intimate with besides Ethan.
Last night's details were vivid.
His strong arms,smooth muscles.
He wore me out until midnight,like a relentless beast.
"Say my name,girl."
"I'm Lucas Hayes."
I was half-fainted,too exhausted to care.
Each time I zoned out,he'd thrust in harder.
Finally,I croaked his name,and he stopped,whispering in my ear,"Forget him."
It all happened so fast,I barely had time to feel the heartbreak.
I stared at the messy room,realizing what a reckless thing I had done.
"Girl..."
A long arm pulled me into an embrace.Unlike last night,Lucas now seemed like a tame puppy.
Gentle,easy to push around.
"Girl,you slept with me.You've gotta take responsibility."
"From now on,it's just me."
"As for my cousin,forget him."
I was getting dressed, my movements froze.