The Freebie Girlfriend

Chapter 3

In the afternoon, I went to pick up the healthy meal I had reserved for my parents.

Meals from this shop were hard to get. I made countless calls last night before finally booking the last available order.

After checking the order, the clerk said, "It was just picked up by your boyfriend."

My heart skipped a beat, and I rushed to Nina's father's ward.

When I pushed open the door, James was placing the meal boxes on the table and greeting Nina's family warmly.

"This healthy meal tastes really good. Try it," he said warmly.

The room fell silent the moment I walked in.

I stared at Nina and said coldly, "James, don't you owe me an explanation? Why is someone you keep claiming is just a younger girl from school sitting here and eating the food I ordered?"

His expression stiffened for a moment.

"Nina is just a younger girl from school. Her family has been having a hard time lately. What's wrong with helping her family out? I didn't tell you because I was afraid you'd overthink it and start another fight with me."

Even then, he was still lying to me, claiming she was just a younger girl from school.

I didn't want to dwell on it anymore, so I pointed at the meal boxes on the table. "I ordered that healthy meal for my parents. What right do you have to take it?"

He frowned. "Nina's father has a heart condition, and this food is perfect for him. Can't you just order another one?"

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a reservation at this place?" I asked.

"Then just let your parents grab a quick bite. There will be plenty of chances for your parents later, but Nina's parents rarely visit," he said casually.

I watched him brush it off so casually, a bitter ache swelling in my chest.

My parents could always wait for next time. Nina's family could not.

Nina quickly set her spoon down, though a smug gleam flashed in her eyes. "Emma, I had no idea you ordered this. I thought James bought it specifically for my parents. If it bothers you, you can take it back."

She offered to return it, but her hands didn't move an inch.

I let out a cold laugh. "Is your idea of returning it just paying lip service?"

Her eyes welled up instantly.

James's face darkened. "Emma, you're not a child anymore. Can't you be a little more generous?"

"Is being generous supposed to mean using my things to show off?" I shot back.

I walked over and packed the food containers back into the bag one by one. "If you want to take care of them, that's your business. Don't use my things to act generous."

I grabbed the bag and turned to leave.

Just as James was about to stop me, Nina held him back. "James, it's my fault. Emma must have misunderstood me. I'll go explain it to her."

She followed me into the hallway, her aggrieved expression vanishing instantly. "Emma, you really are a pathetic excuse for James's girlfriend."

She pulled out her phone. The screen was filled with photos of her and James. They were watching the ocean together, climbing snowy mountains, and hugging under the stars outside a camping tent.

"He's been by my side all these years. On the 12th of last month, we even went to Coral Bay."

I remembered that day. He had told me he was going on a last-minute business trip. I had felt sorry for him working so hard that I did all the chores and even gave him a massage when he got back. I hadn't even dared to mention the vacation I had been dreaming about for months.

It turned out he wasn't busy. He had just been keeping another woman company.

Nina leaned in close, whispering triumphantly, "All these years, whenever I wanted to see him, he'd come running. While you were downstairs waiting for him, we were upstairs making love..."

I gripped the bag tightly, my nails digging into my palms, but I kept my spine perfectly straight.

"Nina, you can have a piece of trash like James." I looked at her and said, emphasizing every single word, "After all, garbage belongs in the dumpster."