Every Bet They Made, Every Line They Crossed Chapter 02

Every Bet They Made, Every Line They Crossed Chapter 02

I’d barely shut my laptop when Philip pushed the front door open. “I knew you’d skip meals when you’re upset. I brought your favorite chicken noodle soup from that diner near campus.”

I stared at the familiar takeout container, stunned.

I preferred mild flavors, and Philip used to take me there all through college. But once Selena joined us for outings, every dinner plan shifted exclusively to spicy food.

He pressed a plush rabbit into my arms and wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You promised that if I brought you a stuffed animal, you’d stop being mad.”

I’d said that after their first reckless bet. That day, they’d snuck off and left me stranded at a restaurant without my phone, forcing me to wash dishes all night to cover the bill.

Over two years, he’d given me more than fifty stuffed rabbits.

When silence stretched between us, Philip whispered my name. I answered out of habit.

“Stop throwing these tantrums. You need to learn to act mature.”

My body stiffened. “What?”

His tone stayed casual, as if nothing serious had happened. “You humiliated Selena in public today and refused dinner. It upset her badly. She’s your closest friend. You can’t take her kindness for granted and hurt her like this.”

I froze.

Kindness? How could she be kind, marrying my boyfriend? Had she never stopped to think how humiliated I would feel?

Tears spilled down my cheeks, landing on his hands.

Philip sighed heavily. “There you go again, being overly emotional. I can’t even talk to you without you crying.”

He glanced at his phone and pulled away from me. “Selena needs me. Think this over while I’m gone.”

He walked out, and his amused voice drifted through the crack in the doorway. “You were right to guess she’d cry. I lost the bet again.”

Numbness washed over my heart. Even my grief had become a running joke for their bets.

Seconds later, a new post popped up on Philip’s Instagram. Caption: Even losing to you feels like winning.

Attached was a photo of their marriage certificate. Comments flooded in instantly.

[I always knew there was chemistry between you two. Every little interaction screams romance.]

[When Selena got hurt last time, you bailed on your meeting immediately. You were so panicked.]

[True soulmates! Wishing you forever!]

Philip left every comment unanswered, simply liking the well-wishes.

I didn’t argue. I tapped the like button.

Almost immediately, a text from Philip appeared: [You need to explain everything. I hate dealing with nosy questions. You’re just as stubborn as your mother.]

Below it was a screenshot of a voice message from my mother.

Even reading the transcribed words, I could sense how carefully she’d chosen them—yet Philip had already made up his mind without truly listening.

Then, a new voice note from Philip appeared: “Give the engagement ring to Selena as an apology. It was never your style anyway, and it fits her perfectly. I’ll buy you a new one.”

I didn’t type a single reply. I deleted his number without hesitation.

It wasn’t just the ring that didn’t fit.

Then I opened my mom’s chat.

[Mom, I’m not marrying him anymore.]

[You said you missed me. I bought a ticket home, and I’m staying for good this time.]