I Was Trapped In An Elevator On My Birthday, But No One Cared Chapter 03

I Was Trapped In An Elevator On My Birthday, But No One Cared Chapter 03

A long time later, I dried my eyes and got up to pack.

Julian showed up when my suitcase was already full.

Seeing me pack threw him off. Something close to panic flashed in his eyes. “Mira, what are you doing?”

I didn’t look up. “Moving out.”

“Because I missed your calls?”

“It’s not about a missed call.”

“Then what is it?”

He stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

“Is it because of Serena?”

He looked at me and softened his voice. “I really know I messed up. Mira, let it go, okay?”

“There’s nothing going on between me and Serena.”

“You went downstairs for a lighter, I had nothing to do, so I took a couple photos of her. When you got back, I was going to take pictures of you too.”

I didn’t answer.

Julian sighed. “But Mira, what you said on the phone—that was really harsh.”

“The elevator thing wasn’t her fault. You shouldn’t have taken it out on her.”

I lifted my head and looked at him. “So you came back to defend her?”

My question stopped him cold.

After a moment, he rubbed his forehead.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Mira, I know you were scared today and upset.”

“But you also need to think about why everyone likes Serena.”

My fingers went stiff.

He didn’t notice and kept going.

“She doesn’t steal anything from you.”

“She just has a good personality. She knows how to talk and make people feel comfortable.”

“And you?”

He looked at me with a voice that was almost gentle, like he was genuinely trying to help.

“You’re too closed off.”

“When people compliment you, you don’t know how to respond.”

“Your clothes are always so gray and shapeless. There’s no style at all.”

“Today’s your birthday and you’re just wearing a plain T-shirt.”

“Look at Serena. She knows exactly what to wear for every occasion.”

“And your makeup is always… off. The blush looks like you got hit, and your eyebrows are always drawn so weird.”

“You really should learn from her.”

I listened to every word, but the sorest part of my heart had already gone numb.

My parents had told me my whole life that I didn’t measure up to Serena, that I should study her.

Otherwise, nobody would like me.

I thought at least Julian liked me for who I was.

The first time I brought him home, I was so scared he’d see Serena and change his mind.

Julian had laughed and said, “What are you thinking? You’re the prettiest one in my eyes.”

But reality proved he was exactly like my parents.

They didn’t love me. Not my soul, not the person I was.

They just wanted me to be prettier, sweeter. To morph into what they wanted.

And that—that was suffocating enough to choke the tears right out of me.

I took out the ring.

The one Julian gave me the day he asked me to be his girlfriend.

I set it gently on the table. “Julian, we’re done.”

He looked like he hadn’t understood. “What did you say?”

“I said we’re done.”

His expression shattered. “Mira, are you breaking up with me as a threat?”

“It’s not a threat. I’m just letting you know.”

Right then, the door swung open again.

My parents were back. Serena was right behind them, her eyes red and puffy, clutching what was left of the cake.