My Fiancé Took Her to the World Cup — and Left Me to Babysit Their Cat Chapter 01

My Fiancé Took Her to the World Cup — and Left Me to Babysit Their Cat Chapter 01

I got my hands on the World Cup tickets Alexander Charleston had been dying for.

I went to find him, practically buzzing with excitement, only to overhear one of his friends trying to talk sense into him.

“Elena cleared her work schedule just to watch the game with you. She spent ages trying to get those tickets, and now you’re taking Serena instead? That’s not right.”

Alex exhaled a mouthful of smoke and answered as if it meant nothing.

“Going with her would be boring. I’m used to watching every World Cup with Serena.”

Boring.

Used to it.

Those words hit me like twelve slaps across the face, one for every year I had spent beside him.

Twelve years. Three World Cups.

The first two times, he had gone with Serena.

I had cried. I had fought.

And he had coaxed me.

“Serena and I have been friends since we were kids. I’m just used to it. Before you came along, she was always the one with me. Be good, okay? Next time, I’ll only go with you.”

I believed him.

I waited four long years.

But this time, there was still no place for me in the habit he refused to give up.

Clutching the tickets, I let out a laugh.

Then I tore them in half and threw them into the trash.

So for the past twelve years, from beginning to end, I had been the extra one.

Honestly, it really was boring.

……………………….

When Alex came home, he had Serena’s white cat in his arms.

“Ellie, thanks for watching Serena’s cat for a while.”

Only after he said it did he look up and notice I was packing. His expression shifted.

“Stop packing.”

“Last month, on Serena’s birthday, her wish was for me to watch this World Cup with her.”

“I already promised her.”

His tone was gentle, but there was no room for discussion.

He was simply informing me of the decision.

I tucked my state ID and birth certificate into the innermost pocket of my suitcase.

My parents, Robert and Catherine Hart, had mailed the birth certificate from my hometown half a month ago so Alex and I could go to the County Clerk’s Office and sign our marriage license.

We had agreed to go on the ninth of next month.

Now that I thought about it, breaking up was better than getting divorced.

Without even lifting my eyes, I said coldly, “You promised me four years ago that you’d watch this one with me.”

“That’s not the same thing! Serena is an outsider. I can’t break a promise to her.”

His voice sharpened despite himself.

My heart had gone dead, still as stagnant water. I looked up at him.

“Among the three of us, I’m the outsider.”

Alex’s face tightened.

“Are you being petty and jealous again? Can you please not do this?”

“Serena and I grew up together. I’ve told you a thousand times. It’s a pure friendship.”

“And we’re signing our marriage license next month. You still don’t trust me?”

“Elena, this is exhausting.”

He raised a hand and rubbed his forehead.

Every time we fought because of Serena, he acted as if I had drained the life out of him.

I stared at him coldly.

“I’m exhausted too.”

Then I added, “If you’re so used to watching it with Serena, then go watch it with her.”

“It’s not like I have to go with you.”

Alex froze for a second. When he saw I wasn’t making a scene, he mistook my calmness for the same surrender I had given him so many times before.

He breathed out in relief.

“Don’t overthink it. I’ll bring you a gift when I come back.”

The cat in his arms jumped down and ran straight to my suitcase.

Alex explained, “Serena’s family is out of town, and my parents don’t like having cat hair in their house.”

“She couldn’t find anyone to watch the cat on such short notice, so help her take care of it for a while.”

She helped me take care of my man, and I helped her take care of her cat.

Ha.

Alex’s phone rang.

From his expression, I knew it was Serena.

Before going into the study to take the call, he tossed me an order.

“The cat kept meowing earlier. It’s probably hungry.”

“Serena said it likes grilled salmon. Make some for it.”

After twelve years, the way he spoke to me was so practiced that it sounded like he was giving instructions to a housekeeper.

He didn’t wait for me to answer. He went into the study and shut the door.

I finished packing and set my suitcase aside. I only had three days left in my notice period at the company.

In three days, I would leave not only Westbrook City, but also Alex, the man I had stayed beside for twelve years.

When I passed the study, I heard Alex on a video call with Serena.

Serena’s laughter was bright and sweet.

Alex’s voice was certain, almost smug.

“Elena has been with me for twelve years, and she’s listened to me for twelve years. When have you ever missed a World Cup with me?”

“She won’t really make a fuss. Just relax and watch the game with me.”

I stopped.

My heart felt frozen solid.

From eighteen to thirty, all I had was him.

In the eyes of all his friends, I was the sensible, considerate girlfriend.

Even when Serena and I fought because of him, I never let outsiders know.

I protected his image.

And that became the reason he thought he could walk all over me.

A cold smile touched my lips.

Alex, I will never go along with you again.