I Called Myself Ten Years Later—and Exposed My Cheating Boyfriend Chapter 10

I Called Myself Ten Years Later—and Exposed My Cheating Boyfriend Chapter 10

Julian survived. But Bramford’s transfer acceptance rate plummeted that year. He didn’t make the cut. He ended up at a state school down south.

Junior year, I brought my boyfriend home for the first time. Julian’s family was moving out that

same day.

He saw Ethan Cole’s hand in mine and stopped. “Your boyfriend?”

I nodded and kept walking.

I was showing Ethan the photo wall in my room – pictures going all the way back to when I was a

kid.

Ethan noticed the little basket swaying outside my window. He leaned over and pulled it in. There

were seventeen photos inside.

Every photo had been cut in half. Seventeen years of photos. He’d separated them

half — and sent mine back down.

–

his half, my

That basket hadn’t moved since we stopped talking. He’d sent it down today, of all days. I didn’t

believe the timing was an accident.

“This kid in the photos – that’s the guy from the hallway, isn’t it?”

“You two grew up together? He lived right upstairs this whole time?”

“And he’s your ex.” It wasn’t a question.

I’d told Ethan about Julian. I just never mentioned we’d lived in the same building.

I rushed to explain. “I haven’t touched this thing since we broke up. He saw me bring you home and sent it down on purpose just to mess with me.”

Ethan smiled. “I know. And him giving these back? That probably means he’s finally trying to let go.”

“But I’m jealous. If he got seventeen photos with you, I want my share, too.”

“One a year. You owe me seventeen.”

I burst out laughing. “You’re ridiculous. Fine

—

I’ll double it. Thirty–four.”

That night, the time -capsule video I’d recorded at the Bramford gates finally got its reply. The other half came through – from ten years in the future.

“Chloe, you made it into Bramford. And your real best friend? You haven’t met her yet.”

“You made friends who’ll still be with you on New Year’s Eve a decade from now. And you found the

love of your life.”

“You don’t know him yet. But you’ll meet him at schōōl, marry him, and have the most beautiful

baby.”

“He’ll put up with your moods. He’ll always have your back. He’ll be the one who gets up at 2 a.m just because you can’t sleep.”

“He’ll book a trip on a random Tuesday just because you mentioned wanting to go.”

“Chloe, stop worrying. None of the things you’re afraid of are going to happen.”

“Every day from here on out gets better. I promise.”