My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 02

My Boyfriend Chose Her Birthday Over Our Year Chapter 02

“Lauren’s birthday? What else?”

He brushed it off, then reminded me again. “Just buy a gift. I already booked the restaurant and cake.”

“Can’t even be bothered for your own best friend’s birthday. Good thing I’m here to handle everything.”

I swallowed the bitterness.

On my birthday, he said he had to work overtime. I went near his office, booked a restaurant myself, and waited for him to get off.

He forgot to order a cake. Picked up a small one from a bakery on the way.

I was upset. We barely talked for three days afterward. He complained I didn’t understand him at all.

But for Lauren’s birthday—he remembered everything. Prepared everything.

“I’ll give her the gift.”

Hearing that, Derek finally relaxed. He hung up without another word.

I scrolled through our call log. His name barely appeared.

Last time we spoke was over a month ago. Lauren had passed out from period cramps. Derek panicked, rushed her to the hospital—total scene. Then called me to ask what medicine she usually took.

I’d never seen him that frantic.

I fell cleaning a window and broke my leg. Spent a week in the hospital. Derek came the next day.

“You can’t even clean a window without putting yourself in the hospital. Clumsy as hell.”

He stayed half an hour, then left because Lauren had a work question for him. He never came back until I was discharged.

I picked up the gift box sitting by my suitcase. I’d prepared something for Lauren.

Friends for over ten years. Grew up together. Went to school together. I thought we were unbreakable.

I used to start planning her birthday gift half a year in advance. I thought that habit would last forever.

Turns out this was the last one.

The transfer paperwork was done. I didn’t have to go back to the office until I left.

Marcus Reed called while I was picking out gifts for everyone. “Derek said the weekend party is canceled? So you’re not leaving? Are you two getting married or something?”

His voice was teasing but also a little disappointed.

I’d been top of our class. Highest grades. Everyone thought I’d get into the best company with Derek. But something went wrong.

I had to settle.

People found it hard to believe.But Derek had a relative who was an executive at that company, so no one said much.

After college, we all learned the world wasn’t as simple as school. I made peace with it and did well at my current job.

But then Derek called Marcus himself to cancel the party.