My Boyfriend’s Weekly Day Off Was For My Best Friend Chapter 01

My Boyfriend’s Weekly Day Off Was For My Best Friend Chapter 01

Gavin Judd, my clingy boyfriend, gives me one day off every week.

So I set him free for good.

Everyone in our circle knows Gavin is a total clinger. If he’s away from me for half an hour, he never stops calling me.

Three months ago, though, he brought it up out of the blue: every Saturday would be my full day off.

“Baby, I’m scared I’m smothering you. I want to learn to be a mature, reasonable boyfriend.”

My best friend Lorelei immediately gave him a thumbs-up.

“A strong woman needs her own personal space. Absence makes the heart grow fonder—it’s the perfect trick to keep romance alive!”

I thought she was right.

For those three months, every Saturday was fulfilling and relaxing.

I painted, visited art exhibits, took pottery classes.

And Gavin stayed perfectly obedient, not sending a single message, giving me complete freedom.

Then last Saturday, a heavy rainstorm hit.

I canceled my camping trip and headed home early.

The moment the front door unlocked with my fingerprint, strange voices and laughter drifted out from the master bedroom.

Lorelei was sitting close beside Gavin, her voice syrupy sweet.

“You pulled it off so well. Suddenly turning this clingy guy into a thoughtful boyfriend—she ate it up, almost cried. She’d never guess Saturdays are our special time together.”

Gavin’s voice followed, amused.

“She’s so high and mighty, prides herself on being an independent strong woman. She’s thrilled when I back off. That day was always meant for you.”

Turns out the day off Gavin promised me was a day off for him.

And what Lorelei called “absence makes the heart grow fonder” applied to the two of them.

—

Lorelei’s giggles echoed from inside the room.

“Do you never get tired of the act? Calling her baby nonstop, checking on her all day?”

Gavin let out a quiet scoff.

“Tired? Of course I’m tired.”

“She’s so stiff and boring. Won’t even dress up the way I want. Thinks I’m being inappropriate if I get too close.”

“If she didn’t hold the key to the company’s core client roster, I’d never bother putting on this devoted act.”

“Once I transfer those clients to me by the end of the year, I’ll leave her and build a future with you.”

My nails dug into my palms.

The sharp sensation barely kept me grounded.

I leaned against the wall and started recording on my phone.

Every calculating word was captured.

Five minutes later, I put my phone away, treading lightly, and walked out of the apartment building.

When I sank into my car, torrential rain hammered the windshield.

I hunched over the steering wheel, fighting back tears.

Seven years together.

I thought I’d found a man whose whole world revolved around me.

Instead, I was nothing but a stepping stone for him to build the future he wanted.

Ten minutes later, I lifted my head, wiped my tears, and fixed my lipstick.

I opened my card app and reviewed the recent activity.

Three months. Twelve Saturdays.

Luxury bags. Jewelry. Gifts.

The purchases were all from Lorelei’s favorite upscale mall.

I’d assumed Gavin was overwhelmed with startup stress these past three months, so I let him use my card for authorized purchases.

He’d been using what I gave him to build a secret life with my best friend.

Perfect.

Just perfect.

I didn’t get back home until eight that night.

Gavin hurried out from the bedroom and pulled me tight into his hug.

Just like he’d done countless times before, he buried his face near my shoulder and nuzzled me playfully.

“Baby, you’re finally home. I missed you so much today. The house felt so boring without you.”

My gaze drifted past his shoulder, catching a faint trace of red lipstick on the collar of his white dress shirt.

And his clothes still carried Lorelei’s signature perfume.

My stomach tightened.

Still, I lifted my hands and slowly wrapped my arms around his back, returning the hug.

“Is that so? That must’ve been exhausting for you.”