My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 09

My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 09

Derek finally seemed to remember he’d come to apologize. 

But even now, his first instinct was to attack. 

He pulled out his phone and opened our chat. “I went through every single message. I know I ignored you. From now on, I’ll reply to everything.” 

“I tried to send you a photo update yesterday. You’d already blocked me.” 

“I’ll learn to do what you used to do. Text you about my day. Keep my distance from Lauren. So you don’t have to be 

jealous.” 

A year too late. If he’d said this before our anniversary- even a day before–maybe I would’ve hesitated. 

But I’d already moved on. I wasn’t going back. 

I shook my head firmly. “No. What you do from now on is 

your business. Just don’t come near my new life.” 

“So you are with that guy?” 

“Who I’m with–or not with–is none of your concern. We broke up. Treat me like you always did. Ignore me.” 

Derek hung his head, knowing he had no argument. 

I thought he’d leave. Instead, he moved in nearby. Said he 

was going to compete with Ethan fair and square. 

I almost laughed. We were adults with jobs. Why was he 

acting like a kid? 

I expected Ethan to refuse. But he agreed without 

hesitation. 

Derek smirked. “I made you fall for me once. I can do it 

again.” 

He miscalculated badly. 

Back in college, his golden–boy image made him easy to idolize. But I wasn’t a lovestruck girl anymore. 

Ethan showed up with homemade breakfast. Walked me through project plans patiently. Found me when I forgot to eat. Drove me to and from work every day. 

Everything a boyfriend was supposed to do–things Derek 

had never learned, never done. 

I’d always been the one taking care of his feelings. 

Swallowing my own. 

Now I saw Derek clearly. All those old illusions shattered. 

Derek looked at his plate, a sad, lumpy mac and cheese from a box, next to Ethan’s home–grilled salmon and roasted vegetables. 

“You don’t need me to announce the winner. You’ve never been a decent boyfriend.” 

Derek slunk back to the States.