I Walked Away after His First Love Returned

On the day of an important festival, I cooked many dishes and waited for my boyfriend, Phil Green, to come back.

He didn't even glance at them. He was busy packing his luggage.

He said coldly, "I can't spend the festival with you this year."

I said nothing and quietly enjoyed the delicious dishes.

At midnight, Phil's first love, Aylin Chapman, posted a photo on social media right on time.

In the photo, she was smiling brightly, leaning on Phil's back with a full moon shining outside the window.

The caption read, "Toasting to the moon, with my beloved in its light."

I didn't ask him hysterically anymore and just casually liked the post.

Phil called me and sounded a bit panicked. "Don't overthink it. I'll definitely spend the festival with you next time..."

I paused for a few seconds and then smiled softly without responding.

"The next time? Phil, we wouldn't spend the festival together next time," I said to him in my mind.

1

When Phil returned home, it was already after the festival.

I used to meet him in the garden, but I didn't this time.

Phil texted me. "Where are you?"

I was having lunch and replied casually, "I am having lunch at home."

Soon, Phil walked in with his suitcase.

While changing his shoes, he said, "I'm hungry. Make me some noodles and a soft-boiled egg."

Normally, I would have gone to cook the egg without hesitation, but this time I simply replied, "I've already finished. Order yourself some takeout."

Phil looked at me with displeasure but held back his anger. He said, "I know you're still upset about what happened during the festival. But can you stop causing trouble? I'm really hungry right now."

I turned and smiled. "I'm not upset."

Phil didn't believe it. "Aylin was alone in the city, and it happened to be the festival. I was just being a good friend and spending the evening with her."

I responded calmly, "Okay. I got it."

Phil stared into my eyes as if trying to see through me.

Then he lowered his gaze and held back his irritation while asking, "Is this fun for you? I'm really tired today and don't want to argue. Can you be a bit more understanding?"

I looked back at him and said patiently, "I'm not arguing with you. Are you done? I want to wash the dishes."

Phil was silent for a moment. Then he took out a necklace from his pocket and handed it to me.

He looked at me arrogantly and said flatly, "A gift for you."

The necklace had no packaging, which was starkly contrasting with the beautifully packaged gift Aylin showed off on social media.

I showed no joy and simply said politely, "Thank you."

After that, I had no further reaction.

Phil's eyes flashed with displeasure. He asked me angrily, "That's it?"

I replied calmly, "That's it."

Phil's face turned dark. He spread his hand in front of me and asked, "Where's mine?"

I then remembered something and apologized to him. "Sorry, I forgot to prepare a gift for you. I'll send you a red envelope gift, so you can buy something yourself."

After saying that, I picked up my phone and sent him a cash gift of 200 dollars.

Phil's eyes widened. He couldn't believe I had forgotten.

After all, I always attached great importance to our tradition of exchanging gifts during holidays.

I had always adhered to it for years.

I would buy him different gifts even when he forgot to give me one.

The atmosphere became awkward. I went to the dressing room to change clothes. Then I was about to go out.

Phil called out urgently, "Where are you going?"

I responded calmly, "I'm going out to meet my friends."

With that, I closed the door, ignoring Phil's calls.

Since I had a relationship with Phil, I had stopped attending gatherings because he didn't like me to.

My friends were all disappointed. They knew I was strictly managed by my boyfriend and never invited me to parties later.

Now I could finally hang out with my friends and have fun.

2

At the end of the gathering, my friends complained to me. "I thought you abandoned us for a guy. You can't do this again. No man is more important than your friends."

I nodded in agreement and said, "From now on, I'll join your gatherings whenever I have time. Don't worry."

Since I became Phil's girlfriend, I had focused all my attention on him.

I was focused on him both in my work and in my life, so I lost my social circle and friends.

Looking back now, I realized that it was really an unwise choice.

I glanced at my phone. Phil had returned the cash gift I sent him.

When I got home, it was already 3 in the morning.

I turned on the light and saw Phil sitting on the sofa.

For a moment, I felt dazed and even doubted my eyes.

Phil saw me drunk but didn't come forward to support me. Instead, he looked unhappy.

He said with disdain, "Rachael, couldn't you handle this a bit better? If you're jealous, just say it. You drank like that and came back late at night. You have a boyfriend. Is it appropriate?"

My head was spinning, and I supported myself against the wall and stumbled to the sofa.

Phil smelled the alcohol on me and frowned slightly. "Didn't I tell you I don't like those friends of yours? Did you go out with them again? I'm not in a relationship with Aylin. We're just friends for now. You really don't need to drink because of her."

I retorted impatiently, "You're overthinking it. I just had a good time with my friends and drank a bit too much."

Phil's voice grew agitated. "Enough. I've given you an out. What else do you want? Don't push me to my limit. My patience is not infinite. I'm not a saint who can accommodate you endlessly."

My head felt heavy, and his voice made it worse.

I rubbed my temples and said, "Have you finished speaking? If so, I'm going to sleep."

Phil took a deep breath, calmed himself, and tried to help me up.

But I retained the last shred of sanity and avoided him.

I staggered into the guest room and locked the door, ignoring Phil's knocks outside.

I slept deeply that night, feeling unusually peaceful.

When I woke up in the morning, Phil was sitting silently on the sofa in the living room.

His face was extremely dark, and I knew he was angry.

But I didn't try to appease him. I just washed up and left home.

3

I went to the dance troupe and submitted my resignation.

I had been dancing there because it was close to home, which meant it was convenient for me to take care of Phil.

But I didn't have to do that now.

The dance instructor tried to persuade me to stay more than once, but I firmly refused.

Just last week, I received a response after I presented my resume for a project abroad. I was accepted.

It had always been my dream to join that dance troupe since I was a young girl. But I had previously turned it down for Phil. Fortunately, it was not too late to pursue my dream now.

After resigning, I completed the handover of my remaining work and called my friends to share the good news.

My friends were delighted for me. After a pause, one of them asked, "What about Phil? Does he agree with you going abroad?"

I chuckled lightly and said, "He doesn't need to know it. I'm going alone this time."

After finishing the handover at the dance troupe, I started preparing the materials needed for going abroad.

My parents were divorced. Besides my childhood friends, I was only close to Phil in the country.

I used to think wherever Phil was, my home was there.

But now, I had become homeless.

I drift like a leaf in the wind. Wherever I floated, it would become my home.

When I returned home, Phil was about to leave.

He was dressed in a sleek suit with a dark green tie, exuding a commanding presence.

Seeing the birthday cake in his hand, I understood what he was doing immediately.

It was Aylin's birthday that day, and Phil was heading out to celebrate with her.

He was on the phone, and his tone was joyful. "Alright. Stop guessing. If I tell you what the gift is, it wouldn't be a surprise. Just wait for me to come over."

Whatever was said on the other end made Phil burst into laughter. His face looked more charming.

He rarely smiled at me like that.

He continued smiling until he saw me. His smile faded away.

Phil would go to any lengths for Aylin, but he was unwilling to offer me a smile.

His face darkened instantly, and he turned away from me with disdain without saying a word.

He then swiftly changed his shoes and left, leaving only the sound of the door closing behind him.

I knew Phil was giving me the silent treatment again.

In the past, our silent treatments were always due to Aylin.

Whenever it happened, I would anxiously try to please him.

Even if he ignored my messages, I still tried my best.

But I simply searched for foreign recipes online and practiced cooking at home this time.

I needed to prepare myself in advance.

4

While lying in bed, I noticed Aylin's post on social media. "My birthday gift is from you once again. Thank you for always staying with me."

The comment section was filled with Phil's friends' expressions. "I'm so happy to see Aylin so happy."

I noticed all of Phil's friends had liked Aylin's post.

Phil's friends never thought highly of me and saw me as an intruder between Aylin and Phil.

Without me, Phil would surely be happier.

I browsed Phil's comment on the post and couldn't help but agree with his friends.

Phil said in the comment section, "Happy birthday, my princess."

I watched their sentimental exchange, and I was expressionless. While one of Phil's friends said, "Stop. Rachael might see it. With her personality, she would definitely cause a scene."

Previously, I had patiently reminded Phil to keep a distance from Aylin, as she was a woman, and he was a guy. They'd better avoid suspicion.

Phil's friends mocked me for being petty. They said that I was too controlling and depriving him of basic friendship rights.

Phil merely agreed with his friends and criticized me. He said that I should be more broad-minded as a woman.

I didn't make a scene as Phil's friends wished. Instead, I silently exited the social media platform, browsed short videos, and fell asleep in bed.

When Phil returned, I was already sleeping soundly.

He woke me up and shouted unhappily, "Rachael, your boyfriend is out late at night. And you don't even care about him? My friends' girlfriends call them nonstop. But what did you do? You didn't even give me a single call. What do you mean by that?"

5

I looked at him in confusion and didn't understand why he was angry.

In the past, I used to call him repeatedly. He said back then, "I'm dating you, not your prisoner. Please give me some freedom. I'm suffocating."

Now that I had stopped bothering him, he questioned why I didn't give him a call. I was completely unsure of what he wanted.

But I didn't bring up what happened in the past. I simply replied flatly, "You're hanging out with your friends. Why would I keep calling you? You're friends with Aylin and the others. Why should I be worried about you?"

Phil looked in disbelief. Perhaps he was shocked that I brought up Aylin so calmly.

He then seemed to understand the situation and explained it to me. "That post was just a keepsake, nothing more. Don't overthink it."

I shook my head and wanted to say something when Phil interrupted me. "Then what did you think? Or do you think I shouldn't attend Aylin's birthday party? We've known each other for ten years. We were briefly in a relationship, but we're just good friends now. It's only right for me to go to a friend's birthday."

I looked at Phil with understanding. "I knew it. It's late. Go to bed in your room."

Phil fell silent.

He stared at me to confirm whether I was truly not upset.

After a while, he couldn't find the answer on my face.

He reached out and wanted to embrace my waist, but I silently avoided him.

I asked lightly, "Are you sleeping in the master bedroom or the guest room?"

6

Phil was surprised that I would reject his touch. I had previously sought but never received it.

He was frustrated and slammed the guest room door. Then he went to the master bedroom.

Once he left, I quickly fell asleep.

Ever since I stopped overthinking, it seemed to be much easier to get to sleep.

The next morning, the boss of the dance troupe, Martin Blakely, called me. He learned that I was going abroad.

He wanted to send me off, but I quickly declined. So he had to give up. Then he told me that he had organized a gathering and wanted me to have a farewell with the members of the dance troupe.

I had no reason to refuse him since he said that.

To my surprise, Phil was there when I arrived. Then I understood it because Phil was Martin's nephew.

Aylin followed Phil. I didn't expect him to bring her even to such a gathering with my classmates.

When Phil saw me, he gestured for me to sit with them, but I ignored it.

They looked like a perfect match, and I didn't want to be there.

Aylin smiled provocatively when she saw me.

Then she quickly masked it with an apologetic look. She said, "Sorry. I crashed your class reunion. I was just too bored, so Phil decided to bring me along."

7

Phil tried to explain the situation to me several times, but he couldn't find the words.

I politely raised my glass and said, "It's fine. I don't mind."

With that, I took a sip of my drink.

During dinner, my phone kept buzzing with messages.

I checked it. Phil kept sending me messages. "I brought her along just by accident. Don't overthink it. If you are upset, I won't bring her next time."

The last message read, "After dinner, let's head home together."

I cleared my throat and replied, "Not necessary. You can drive Aylin home. I drove my car here."

Then I focused on the dishes and ignored Phil's messages.

Everyone was happy during the dinner. Some of them even reminisced about the past.

Martin was particularly emotional. He stood up and raised his glass to me. "Back then, you were hailed as the finest dancer in the nation. Your dream was always to go abroad and join the best dance troupe. But then, for some reason, you decided to stay here."

After a pause, he continued, "But thankfully, you're going abroad now. You can finally fulfill your dream. I'm truly happy for you. Come on. I toast to your safe travels and bright future."

I smiled with gratitude and raised my glass. Then I drank it in one go.

Phil was stunned. He seemed to have heard something unbelievable.