My Platonic Love

Chapter 2

The last of the IV had just finished when Chloe's messages came through, a video attached.

Chloe: Julian's been holding back for years. He had me seven times last night.

Chloe: He's got endless energy. He just doesn't stop.

The video showed Julian's muscular frame slick with sweat, his breathing heavy and ragged. Chloe's self-satisfied little moans played out loud. My hands shook as I fumbled to lower the volume, but the ugly images on the screen wouldn't stop moving.

Blood rushed in my ears. The pain cut through my chest like a blade. My grip tightened around the phone until my knuckles went white.

The Julian who once told me s*x was something sordid.

The Julian I tried everything with, who never once wanted to touch me.

That same Julian was now sprawled over another woman's body.

He did want it. He just never wanted it with me.

Tears blurred my vision. I clenched my jaw and typed back.

Mia: You're the side piece. Don't forget it.

She must have been waiting for it. Her reply came almost instantly.

Chloe: Side piece? You don't even have a spot in his bed. What does that make you?

A flood of screenshots followed. Whatever scraps of hope I still clung to evaporated the moment I saw them.

Post after post, all hidden from me, all documenting Julian's devotion to her.

The necklace I had treasured as an anniversary gift was just a freebie that came with the designer bag he bought for Chloe.

The night I drank myself into a bleeding ulcer, covering his business obligations at a gala, he was watching fireworks with her.

And last year, when my grandfather lay dying in the ICU, holding on just long enough to say he wanted to meet the man I was going to marry. I begged. But Julian never came. My grandfather closed his eyes with regret still in his voice, telling me to be happy.

I only learned the truth now. Chloe's dog had fallen sick that same week. Julian had driven her to every vet clinic across the city, one after another.

Before I could finish the last screenshot, Chloe sent another message to stake her claim.

Chloe: Mia, we're both women. I know this hurts.

Chloe: But love doesn't lie. It's gone. Tell you what? Beg me nicely, and maybe I'll let Julian come spend one night a week with you.

The mockery practically oozed through the screen.

I bit down hard and typed my reply.

Mia: Keep him. A b***h and a bastard. You're made for each other.

Half an hour later, the door to my room crashed open. Julian stormed in, already shouting.

"Mia Hart. You've got some nerve. Chloe is sensitive. She's just straightforward. She doesn't mean anything by it. Why would you go out of your way to upset her?"

Pitying looks came at me from every corner of the ward. Someone tried to step in, and Julian shoved them back without a glance.

"Get up. You're going to apologize to Chloe. Right now."

I stared at his rigid face. A sharp ache bloomed behind my nose. I rubbed my temple and let out a breath.

"She sleeps with my fiancé and sends me messages to gloat about it, and now I'm supposed to apologize to her. Julian, don't forget. I'm still your actual fiancée."

He froze for a beat and then folded his arms across his chest.

"Mia. I thought we were just having fun. I never laid a hand on you, and I never shortchanged you a single thing all these years. You've got two choices. Apologize, or we call off the engagement."

Just having fun.

The tears slipped out before I could stop them.

The relationship I had fought so hard to hold onto was nothing to him. Just fun.

I opened my mouth and forced the words out.

"Call it off."

The words landed. Julian's face flickered with something like disbelief.

"Mia. I'm serious. I really will call it off. So you'd better think it through before..."

"I've thought it through."