Chapter 1

I had originally planned a date with my girlfriend for Valentine's Day, but unexpectedly she insisted on bringing her male best friend, Mason.

"Mason and I are inseparable. No one can come between us."

She not only made Mason walk between us, but also shared a set of chopsticks and bowl with him.

Faced with my suspicious gaze, my girlfriend sneered:

"Mason and I have been together for so long. If anything were to happen, do you think you'd even have a chance?"

Later, our Valentine's Day threesome photo went viral.

Just when everyone was expecting to see me as a laughingstock, I calmly commented on the post:

"The composition could be better. Next time, I'll take the photo for them."

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Valentine's Day, I had carefully prepared a gift box containing the bracelet Melody had always wanted.

As I stood happily waiting for her outside her office building after work,

She appeared, arm in arm with another man.

She was holding an exquisite gift box in her hand.

It was Mason again, Melody's male bestie.

And so began our Valentine's Day threesome, drawing frequent side glances and whispers from onlookers.

Along the way, they chatted and laughed non-stop,

In the moment I stopped to adjust my clothes, I was left far behind.

Not one of them turned back to look at me.

When buying desserts, they ordered durian mille-feuille, I frowned and said no thanks.

When choosing a restaurant, they picked a Japanese place,

During the meal, I ate without tasting anything amidst their animated conversation.

When we parted ways to go home that night, Melody was tenderly saying goodbye to Mason one second,

The next second her face was full of anger, demanding to know what my problem was.

"You don't eat the dessert, you're not happy with the restaurant, what do you want? Who are you giving attitude to?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, he's just my male bestie, and now he's been parachuted in as my boss at work, if I don't maintain a good relationship with him, how am I supposed to get ahead at the company? Can't you stop being so petty?""I warn you, Draven, if you keep making unreasonable demands, we might as well end this relationship!"

Before I could even open my mouth to explain, she grabbed the gift box from Mason and stormed off.

For the first time ever, I didn't chase after her to apologize and make amends.

I'm severely allergic to durian; even the smell makes me sick.

We had planned a week ago to go for Sichuan cuisine on Valentine's Day.

She had thrown all of that out the window.

It seemed her world now only revolved around Mason.

Five years of love, yet it still couldn't compare to her male best friend.

Perhaps it was time for me to let go of Melody's hand and free myself as well.

I gave the gift box in my hand to a little girl selling flowers on the street.

My phone screen was frozen on a photo Melody had posted on social media of a gift box.

The caption read: Thanks Mason for the gift, looking forward to more of your care in the future! Heart emoji.

In the bottom left corner was my profile picture, showing I had liked the post.