A snowstorm warning was issued, so I called Gavin to ask if he could pick me up from work. After waiting a long time, I finally received his message: "In this weather, it's too dangerous for Paloma to be alone. I'm going to get her. You should just grab a cab home."

I didn't make a fuss, just replied with a simple "Okay."

Late that night, Gavin's childhood friend posted something on Facebook, visible only to me. In the picture, Paloma was nestled in his arms, feeding him cheese and crackers while the storm raged outside. The caption read, "Cold winter nights are best spent at home with the one you love."

Calmly, I liked the post and then deleted Gavin from my WhatsApp contacts. Damn, I'm done with this man.

---

Three days after the snowstorm, Gavin finally remembered to get in touch. When he saw he couldn’t send a message, he angrily called me.

"What are you playing at, Sophia?"

"I mean we're breaking up," I answered calmly, then hung up the phone.

Half an hour later, Gavin showed up at my door with his suitcase, looking irritated.

"I'm not even home yet, and you have the nerve to drink your coffee?"

I paused my sipping, looking at him, puzzled. Gavin impatiently shrugged off his coat. "Stop drinking and wash the clothes in my suitcase first. Paloma's water heater broke yesterday, and I didn't even get a shower."

He started toward the bathroom. "I'm busy. Just put them in the washing machine," I replied softly.

Gavin halted, looking at me with irritation. "Sophia, haven't you made enough of a fuss? It was dangerous with all that snow, and I only went because I was worried about Paloma being alone. Why do you always have to be so selfish and unnecessarily jealous?"

I swallowed the last of my coffee and took my mug to the kitchen, not wanting to argue. Gavin glared at me, took a few seconds, and then continued to lecture me. "Are you really still bothered by Paloma's post? It was just a joke. Her friends teased her about not having a boyfriend, so she did it as a prank. When she saw you liked it, she got scared and deleted it, asking me to explain. You're a grown woman; why are you so petty about a woman younger than you?"

I almost laughed. Paloma's twenty-eight, and still considered young? I'm only a year older, yet he calls me an "adult."

Not wanting to engage further, I washed the dishes and said calmly, "I really don't have time to do your laundry. I have to go out."

Gavin looked surprised. In the past, I would've argued with him. This time, I was so calm it seemed to unsettle him. His expression changed. As I was about to leave the living room, he suddenly walked over and kissed me on the forehead. "Now, you can't still be mad, right?"

Gavin glanced at me arrogantly, as if he had me figured out. But I instinctively pushed him away, feeling slightly nauseated.

In the past, Gavin made mistakes but never apologized, let alone used such gestures to win me over. Now, for Paloma's sake, he dared to kiss me. I suppose everything that could have happened between them happened over those three days.

I discreetly wiped my face and sat down to change my shoes.

Gavin stared at me, disbelief on his face. "Sophia, what do you mean by that? Are you disgusted by me?"

"I'm a clean freak," I said.

Gavin was about to explode with anger when my phone rang. The ride I booked was here. Seeing that I was about to leave, Gavin suddenly grabbed my arm, his expression a mix of panic and confusion. "What's gotten into you today? Where are you going?"

"To the office."

Gavin sighed in relief and said coldly, "Cancel it. I'll drive you."

I had paid the down payment for Gavin's car, yet he rarely let me ride in it. This time, he was unusually considerate. I wanted to refuse, but he grabbed the keys from the entrance and walked ahead as usual, acting all assertive.

With no other option, I canceled the ride-share and followed him downstairs.

As soon as I settled into the passenger seat, I noticed a cartoon sticker on the dashboard labeled "Girlfriend Exclusive." Gavin, usually meticulous and minimalist, wasn’t one for flashy car decorations. It was obvious who had put the sticker there. Gavin glanced at me, seeming to anticipate my reaction. In the past, whenever I brought up details related to Paloma, it always ended in frustration. This time, I chose silence.

Ten minutes later, Gavin suddenly hit the steering wheel with his hand and snapped, "What's the matter? Are you losing your voice or something? If you've got questions, just spit them out."

I looked at him, genuinely confused. "There's nothing I want to ask."

Gavin fumed silently, his anger bubbling under the surface. After a long pause, he said, stiffly, "Paloma put that sticker there. I figured I’d just leave it since I’ll be getting the car cleaned soon."

He continued with strained patience, "There's nothing between her and me; you need to stop being so suspicious and jealous."

I nodded slightly, indifferent to the drama surrounding them. Gavin glanced at me again and kept explaining, "When the big snowstorm hit, I stayed at her place because she's young and was in a tough spot. I thought I'd help keep her company."

"But really, I only see her like a sister. Don't jump to conclusions."

I nodded again, understanding his point. "You guys have known each other forever. I get it, nothing's going on."

Back when their tangled relationship fueled my jealousy, Gavin would always offer this explanation to calm things down. Now, using his own words to show understanding, he was still angry. He glared and burst out, "What's with your sarcastic tone?"

"I've explained everything. What more do you want? Are you trying to push it too far?"

I sighed, exasperated, "No, I'm just saying I really don't think you're doing anything wrong..."

Before I could finish, Gavin suddenly slammed on the brakes and shouted, "Get out! Just get out!"

Feeling bewildered, I opened the door and stepped outside. After walking a short distance, I heard Gavin shouting my name, but I didn’t look back. I picked up my pace, still confused by his sudden anger. If I worried about him and Paloma, he'd call me insecure; if I didn’t, he was still upset. He was impossible to figure out.

With about a mile left to the office, I decided to walk. Today’s main goal was to resign. I had stayed in this city for Gavin, refusing to take charge of the family business, and cut ties with my parents to be here.

Then came three days ago, during the heavy snowstorm. I had asked Gavin to pick me up from work, but he left me hanging. Walking home through the snow-blocked roads, I slipped on ice and was left sore and sleepless. Then I saw Paloma’s updates flaunting on Instagram and deleted Gavin’s number from WhatsApp. The emotional and physical strain almost broke me, and just then, my parents called.

"Sophia, we saw on the news that there’s a storm over there. Please stay safe indoors." Hearing my parents' concern, emotions welled up inside me, and I broke down in tears. The love I had held onto was nothing but an illusion.

I promised them I would return to manage the family business and had already booked a flight for the day after tomorrow. As for Gavin and me, this was where it ended.

When I arrived at the office, I handed my resignation to my boss, Emmanuel. He didn't seem surprised and, with a solemn expression, advised, "Sophia, it's common for couples to have their differences. If you can both find a middle ground, things will work out. Aren't you worried Gavin might not forgive you if things escalate?" It dawned on me then that Gavin had reached out to him beforehand.

"He asked me to tell you that he's blocked you and won't be coming home tonight. He wants you to think things over."

Gavin and I had argued plenty of times, but we'd never involved others in our conflicts. This was his way of asserting control over me. In the past, the fear of losing him would have gripped me, making me swallow my pride and beg for forgiveness. But now, his antics seemed tiresome.

I clarified to Emmanuel that the breakup was definite, and I'd thoroughly considered my decision to leave. He seemed doubtful, "You've loved Gavin for so many years; are you truly ready to walk away?"

I nodded with conviction. Only then did he sigh and proceed with my resignation.

Returning home, I was surprised to find Gavin there. Paloma was twirling in a brand-new Victorian-style dress, her face glowing with excitement. "Gavin, do I look good?" she asked, spinning around.

"You look fantastic. Our Paloma is the most beautiful fairy," he replied.

As I passed by, Gavin shot me a glare and turned his attention fully to Paloma, his voice laced with flirtation. "Hey, Paloma, your zipper's down at the back. Let me help you with that."

Paloma gave me a provocative look, pretending to hesitate. "Gavin, isn't this a bit too familiar? Maybe your 'wife' should assist me instead."

Gavin scoffed, "Wife? What wife?"

Disregarding me, he zipped up Paloma's dress and slipped his arm around her shoulders, guiding her out the door intimately.

I knew he was trying to get under my skin. Previously, seeing his closeness with Paloma would have made me furious, maybe even blocking his path. But now, I felt an unexpected sense of calm settle within me.