My Boyfriend’s Weekend Escape Was With My Best Friend Chapter 01
I went on a business trip to a nearby city with a coworker and didn’t come back for several days.
My mother must have left by then. She always said my father couldn’t do anything without her, that he was helpless on his own. She never stayed away from home for long.
Sometimes I didn’t understand it. She had been trapped in that marriage her whole life, and she wanted the same for me.
Right after I got back from the trip, I started getting collection calls. That was how I found out Jason had maxed out his credit cards after he couldn’t work and ran out of money.
But he had no income now, and I wasn’t supporting him, so he had no way to pay.
I called the police.
Jason went into hiding. Chloe called me instead.
We hadn’t spoken since the hospital.
Her injuries were much worse than Jason’s. She wasn’t in critical condition anymore, but she had permanent damage in multiple places. She might need medical care for the rest of her life.
Her boyfriend broke up with her when he found out she hadn’t been going on those weekend escapes with me.
She sobbed on the phone, saying over and over that she never meant to come between Jason and me. It just happened. They couldn’t help it.
I just listened.
Chloe’s tears had always been her secret weapon. As long as I’d known her, one cry and everyone would rush to comfort her. Even I used to fall for it every time.
When she finally stopped crying, I spoke. “The moment you got involved with him, you gave up our friendship.”
And the moment Jason’s feelings changed, he gave up on us.
The project at work went well. By fall, we had signed the contract. I got a substantial bonus.
I moved out of the old apartment and rented a new one closer to the office. The old place was halfway between my work and Jason’s, but actually more convenient for him.
It was far from the subway, I had to take a bus and then transfer, while Jason had a car. His commute was twenty minutes; mine was fifty.
Now I walked to work in ten minutes.
My mother called a few more times after that, asking if I’d gotten back together with Jason.
I said coldly, “He’s deep in debt from loan sharks. Do you want to help him pay it off?”
She went silent. When it came to her own money, she had nothing to say.
The next time I heard about Jason was a year later.
I had a new boyfriend. I ran into an old classmate while shopping.
She said quietly, “Thank God you didn’t marry Jason Miller.”
“I heard he borrowed a ton of money and couldn’t pay it back. The lenders broke his legs. Then he got involved in some kind of fraud. The police arrested him a while back.”
My eyes widened in surprise.
Jason had been a top graduate in college. Great major. He could have had a bright future.
Sometimes one bad decision leads to another. And another.
I was lucky. I turned around in time. I didn’t keep making mistakes.
Before his sentencing, Jason asked his lawyer to arrange a visit.
I went.
Behind the glass, when he saw me, tears streamed down his face, but this was different. He was calm, regretful. Like he truly understood how badly he’d messed up.
I watched his hand shake as he picked up the phone.
His voice came out hoarse. “How have you been?”
He could probably see for himself. I was doing well. Financially independent. Work was busy with occasional overtime, but I was up for a promotion soon. Regional manager.
Even my clothes and makeup were different.
Without him, I was more confident.
He seemed to realize he’d asked a pointless question. “I’ve spent the last year thinking. If I hadn’t started going away every weekend… do you think we’d be married by now? Maybe with a kid?”
I looked at him calmly. “There’s no ‘what if.'”
I held up my left hand. The diamond on my ring finger caught the light and flashed in Jason’s eyes.
“I’m getting married next month.”
Then I put down the phone and walked away.
Behind me, the guards led Jason away, still crying.
I hope I never see you again.