My Boyfriend’s “Just a Friend” Became the Reason I Walked Away Chapter 01

My Boyfriend’s “Just a Friend” Became the Reason I Walked Away Chapter 01

For the first time in the five years we’d been together, Ethan Walker asked me to go to the movies.

It wasn’t until I picked up the tickets that I realized he had booked three seats for a horror movie. His seat was right next to Vanessa Blake, his so-called best friend.

Mine was in the far corner of the last row.

I tightened my grip on the ticket stub and looked at him in confusion, but Ethan only ruffled my hair, speaking as though the arrangement made perfect sense.

“You scare easily. It won’t feel as intense from the back.”

Vanessa tugged lightly on his sleeve and explained in a soft voice, “Claire, don’t take it the wrong way. I’m just afraid of the dark, and I feel safer with Ethan next to me.”

Once the movie began, screams filled the theater.

From the last row, I watched Vanessa throw herself into Ethan’s arms. He didn’t push her away. Instead, he held her tightly and gently patted her back.

“Don’t be scared. I’m right here.”

He had once said those words only to me.

I didn’t cry during the most terrifying scene in the movie.

But when the light from the screen cast one long shadow of them leaning into each other, tears slipped down my face.

By the time the credits rolled, Ethan finally remembered I was there. He turned around and frowned.

“Why have you been so quiet tonight?”

I looked at his hand, still wrapped around Vanessa’s, and suddenly realized that being alone wasn’t nearly as frightening as I had once believed.

I didn’t want to trail after them anymore.

***

Early the next morning, I arrived at the architecture firm right on time, as usual, and took my place at the reception desk.

My coworker, Mia Parker, approached with a cup of coffee in her hand. She looked surprised to see me.

“Claire, why are you here so early?”

She glanced behind me as though expecting someone else.

“Wasn’t last night your fifth-anniversary date with Mr. Walker? Where is he?”

My gaze drifted instinctively toward my silent phone. I pushed down the ache in my chest and forced a small smile.

“He had work to take care of.”

“I can’t neglect the front desk just because I’m dating him.”

Mia gave me an odd look.

“But the way Mr. Walker usually treats Director Blake…”

She trailed off.

Pretending I hadn’t understood what she meant, I lowered my head and began organizing the visitor log on the desk.

“You should get going. The morning meeting will start soon.”

Mia sighed and walked away with her coffee.

I had barely sat down when my phone rang. My former professor and academic advisor’s name appeared on the screen.

After taking a deep breath, I answered.

“Professor.”

A regretful sigh came through the phone.

“Claire, when are you finally coming back?”

“Your graduation project is still used as an example in the department.”

“The department still wants to put you forward for the International Emerging Architect Award.”

“You were one of the most gifted architecture students I ever taught, yet you’re working as a receptionist at an architecture firm.”

“I hope the choice you made was worth it.”

My fingers tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned pale. My throat closed up, and I couldn’t force out a single word.

Five years earlier, Ethan had just founded the firm. He had been short on both funding and staff, staying up night after night until his eyes were bloodshot with exhaustion.

I couldn’t bear to watch him struggle, so I gave up the chance to continue my studies overseas.

I hid the fact that I was the Sterling Group heiress and stayed by his side.

Back then, Ethan had put an arm around my shoulders and promised me, “Claire, I’ll take you to watch the sunset every weekend.”

“You’ll always come first in my life.”

Five years later, he hadn’t kept a single one of those promises.

I had gone from being the brightest student in the architecture department to the receptionist who brought him coffee and handled his errands. Meanwhile, the place beside him had long since been taken by Vanessa.

“Professor, I…”

I opened my mouth, but I had no idea what I could possibly say.

“All right. Take some time and think carefully about what you really want.”

The call ended, and the line went dead.

I lowered my head as tears fell onto the keyboard, turning the screen in front of me into a blur of light.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Still hoping Ethan had finally messaged to check on me, I opened it.