Chapter 5
591words
A cloud shaped uncannily like a puppy drifted by.
I instinctively snapped a picture, then froze. Who would I send it to?
I hadn’t shared things like this with Liam in ages. Scrolling up through our chat history, the last message was from him yesterday: Did you get home okay?
I hadn’t replied.
It used to be different.
I used to share everything: a funny dog on the street, a great ice cream, even weird dreams.
He rarely replied. Maybe an “Ok.” if I was lucky.
When I asked why, he’d say: “You think I have nothing better to do? Surgeries pile up. Find a hobby.”
Gradually, I shared less and less.
Now? I couldn’t remember the last time I’d sent him something unsolicited.
A wave of confusion washed over me.
I think I really didn’t love Liam anymore.
All that pain, that agony thinking I’d die without him… it could actually fade.
Every time he dismissed my hurt, every time he failed to set boundaries with Hannah, every lonely night I felt unseen – I was quietly breaking the habit.
Until now. The thought of breaking up didn’t bring panic. Just… relief.
I picked up my phone, hesitating.
Two notifications popped up.
Liam: How are you feeling today? If you’re unwell, leave early. I’ll pick you up.
Henry: Little dude wouldn’t take no for an answer.(Photo attached: A long-fingered hand gently scooping a tiny orange kitten off the sidewalk).
I couldn’t help but smile. Catnapping?
His reply was instant. Mom abandoned him. Guess I’m daddy now.
Henry – Henry Rhodes – was the intern I’d trained months ago. Only later did I discover he was the CEO’s only son, here to learn the ropes before eventually taking over. The CEO was strict; Henry had to start at the bottom. I’d nearly had a heart attack when I found out, remembering how freely I’d delegated tasks to him. Instead of firing me, I’d gotten promoted to his Executive Assistant when he took the helm.
Henry had zero CEO airs. He texted constantly. Six messages in one day was his record, sharing everything from memos to memes.
On impulse, I sent him the puppy-cloud photo.
Looks like you.
Immediately, I regretted it. That felt… off. I had a boyfriend. Before I could hit ‘unsend’, his reply flashed up.
? Adopt the kitten too. Package deal. Get a cat AND a dog.
I laughed out loud.
A flicker of guilt surfaced. I wastechnically with someone. This felt inappropriate.
Then I remembered Liam and Hannah.
How Liam’s phone would buzz constantly in the evenings, how sometimes a small smile would touch his lips as he typed.
I’d snooped once. His texts with Hannah weren’t about work.
Hannah complaining about a tough attending.
Hannah telling him about a new ramen place she wanted to try.
Hannah gushing, You were amazing in surgery today, Liam!
I’d confronted him: “Don’t you think that’s inappropriate? Does she know you have a girlfriend? Why does she need to share every little thing? It’s invasive!”
Liam hadn’t looked guilty. Just coldly furious.
“I hate people invading my privacy. Don’t project your jealousy onto me.
“If you can’t handle it, leave.”
…
Looking back, all I remembered was the constant ache.
Having a boyfriend felt lonelier than being alone.
Liam was cold, distant. I felt invisible.
I stared at Liam’s text on my screen. For the first time, a clear thought formed: I should break up with him.
