After Sonia left, I savored a steak by myself, paired with red wine, listening to the classical tunes I adore. A sense of contentment washed over me like never before.

In the past, whenever I played classical at home, Sonia would cringe and cover her ears, "Usher, what is this noise? It's awful, you're not even young!"

I'd reluctantly switch to the pop songs she and Martin both liked.

That wasn't the end of it. She'd call Martin and rant about my taste.

"Ha, Sonia, anyone who didn't know would think you were dating a fossil!"

"Basically! He's such a hick, only I can stand him. You have no idea, my friends call him..."

Sonia would crack up, clutching her phone.

In that moment, I felt like Martin was the one she really clicked with.

Not surprisingly, they grew up together.

If the Yates family hadn't fallen on hard times, with Sonia's dad jailed her junior year, plunging them into poverty, maybe they'd have ended up together.

I was a small-town overachiever, having worked tirelessly to get into a decent university despite my impoverished background.

In contrast, Martin had little academic ambition but effortlessly secured a spot in college thanks to family sponsorship. To Sonia, this was a sign of success.

It was during university that I met Sonia.

Surrounded by talent, I devoted all my time to the library and labs, determined to prepare myself for a successful future.

One week before finals, I arrived at the library only to realize I had forgotten my student ID. Without it, I couldn't enter, and my dorm room was locked. My roommates wouldn't be back for a while, leaving me without access to my important study materials.

Under the blazing sun, I paced anxiously outside the library.

"Hey, I know you! Come on in!"

At that moment, Sonia appeared.

Dressed in a blue denim skirt, she sparkled in the sunlight, her sweet voice like a refreshing breeze on a hot summer day.

"You know me?"

"Of course! You're Usher, the physics genius from Class 6. I've heard so much about you!" Sonia winked at me, playful and charming.

Sonia was two years older and worked part-time at the library. Since I spent so much time there, she had quietly taken notice of me.

Eventually, we naturally got together, starting our campus romance.

She was lively and outgoing, enjoying drinks and wild fun, like a vibrant rose.

I was quiet and reserved, preferring books and solitude, like a blank page.

Our differences made me cautious; I always tried to treat her well.

I feared losing her, so I cherished every moment.

I would study her course materials to help her avoid failing, give her my meager living expenses, and even take on tutoring jobs to buy her the iPhone that all the girls in her dorm had.

I thought this was love—until I overheard Martin call me a "simp," and Sonia didn't defend me; instead, she laughed brightly.

I was used to giving, while she was accustomed to being loved.

With the effects of alcohol kicking in, I lay back on the sofa and fell asleep.

I don't know how long I slept, but I was awakened by the sound of keys in the door. Sonia had returned, and she was with Martin.

Sonia and Martin walked into the house one after the other.

I opened my tired eyes and caught a glimpse of Sonia's black stockings, marked with scratch lines, while Martin looked down at me with a smug expression.

"Usher, sorry to interrupt your romantic evening," Martin said with a smirk. "We brought a few friends over to have some fun. They were teasing me to hug Sonia, and I accidentally snagged her stockings with my nails. Don't get the wrong idea!"

I shot Martin a cold glance and turned my attention to Sonia. "Didn't you say he was having a depressive episode? How come he's still messing around with your stockings?"

"What do you mean, Usher? Are you insulting me? I never realized you had such a twisted mind!"

Sonia glared at me, her eyes wide with anger.

I chuckled lightly. "I didn't mean anything by it. Just remember to have Martin buy you better-quality stockings next time. If I recall correctly, you weren't even wearing any when you left home, right?"

Under the warm light, Sonia's face went pale. She opened her mouth but couldn't find the words.

She probably didn't expect me to be so sarcastic.

"Usher, do you even realize what time it is? It's three-thirty in the morning! I was just worried about Sonia being out so late alone, which is why I brought her back. You're her boyfriend, yet you didn't bother to pick her up and are just sleeping here. Sonia didn't complain, so why are you angry with her?"

I had to admit, Martin had a knack for stirring the pot.

Sonia's expression darkened, as if she were the one being wronged.

"Oh, so now that it's three-thirty, should I have stood by your bed and handed you a condom to be a good boyfriend?"

I yawned lazily, watching them with amusement.

"Smack!"

A loud ringing filled my ears, and my face felt like it had been burned.

Sonia's hand was still hanging in the air, while Martin wore a look of amusement. A wave of humiliation washed over me.

If I had felt a twinge of jealousy before, Sonia's slap shattered the bond we had built over three years.

With red-rimmed eyes and a hint of panic on her face, Sonia scolded me, "Usher, how can you slander me like this?"

After that, she grabbed Martin's hand and headed for the door. When she saw me still sitting on the sofa, her eyes were filled with anger and disbelief.

"Aren't you slandering me? Tonight, I'm going to take things further with Martin!"

"Make sure to take precautions! Have a good night, and don't let the door hit you on the way out!" I slammed the door shut behind them.