My mafia boyfriend, Finn, is always bickering with his childhood friend, Amanda.

For my birthday, she brought me a bullet vibe. "Here. For round two, just in case. I know his stamina better than anyone."

He tossed a bottle of pale foundation at her. "Slap some more on. Maybe then someone will actually want to touch you."

They shoved each other on their way out, slamming the door behind them. The candles on the cake burned down to nothing while I sat alone at the dining table.

The first time our families sat down for a formal dinner, she smiled and slipped him a small bottle of lube. "Take it. So you don't make the poor girl suffer."

His face darkened. "Better than you crying at night, hugging a body pillow."

This time, Finn had arranged a private island vacation.

A mutual friend quietly gave me a heads-up, telling me he was planning to propose on a cliff at sunset.

After a seven-year marathon, I told myself this was it. The finish line was finally in sight.

I dressed meticulously, putting on my most expensive dress, and walked toward the helipad. I pulled open the helicopter door.

Amanda was already in the co-pilot's seat. She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Chloe, you're here? I'm claustrophobic, so you don't mind if I sit up front, right?"

Finn, gripping the controls, turned to look me over.

"Chloe, you sit in the back. I'm worried she'll have a meltdown and start scratching and biting. It'll ruin the mood."

Before I could say a word, Amanda was already arguing with him.

"What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm a burden?"

"It's not the first time I've thought so. Why are you being so dramatic today?"

Their back and forth was so practiced it felt like a script they had rehearsed a thousand times.

In that moment, the exhaustion of the past seven years washed over me.

And for the first time, I realized I didn't want to say yes to his proposal anymore.

My mafia boyfriend, Finn, is always bickering with his childhood friend, Amanda.

For my birthday, she brought me a bullet vibe. "Here. For round two, just in case. I know his stamina better than anyone."

He tossed a bottle of pale foundation at her. "Slap some more on. Maybe then someone will actually want to touch you."

They shoved each other on their way out, slamming the door behind them. The candles on the cake burned down to nothing while I sat alone at the dining table.

The first time our families sat down for a formal dinner, she smiled and slipped him a small bottle of lube. "Take it. So you don't make the poor girl suffer."

His face darkened. "Better than you crying at night, hugging a body pillow."

This time, Finn had arranged a private island vacation.

A mutual friend quietly gave me a heads-up, telling me he was planning to propose on a cliff at sunset.

After a seven-year marathon, I told myself this was it. The finish line was finally in sight.

I dressed meticulously, putting on my most expensive dress, and walked toward the helipad. I pulled open the helicopter door.

Amanda was already in the co-pilot's seat. She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Chloe, you're here? I'm claustrophobic, so you don't mind if I sit up front, right?"

Finn, gripping the controls, turned to look me over.

"Chloe, you sit in the back. I'm worried she'll have a meltdown and start scratching and biting. It'll ruin the mood."

Before I could say a word, Amanda was already arguing with him.

"What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm a burden?"

"It's not the first time I've thought so. Why are you being so dramatic today?"

Their back and forth was so practiced it felt like a script they had rehearsed a thousand times.

In that moment, the exhaustion of the past seven years washed over me.

And for the first time, I realized I didn't want to say yes to his proposal anymore.

...

Up front, the two of them were still bickering.

"You think I'm not sick of you? You threw my limited-edition watch in the fish tank last week. Pay up!"

"That was after you soaked my favorite dress in red wine."

"I did it on purpose. What are you gonna do about it?"

A corner of Finn's mouth twitched. "So childish."

"You're the one who's childish!"

Mia, another friend sitting with me in the back, leaned over to play peacemaker.

"Chloe, not used to flying this high? Lean back and get some rest. I brought some motion sickness pills."

It sounded considerate at first, but then she turned and called to the front, "Amanda, you calm down too. Finn needs to focus on the flight path."

It seemed evenhanded, but the difference in familiarity was stark.

For Amanda, it was a familiar, "You calm down too." For me, it was a polite, distant reassurance.

I quietly fastened my seatbelt and said nothing.

For seven years, I had spent so much energy trying to squeeze my way into Finn's world.

I learned the games their circle played, memorized their inside jokes, and even deliberately copied the way they poured their drinks.

I used to believe that if I just tried hard enough, I could become one of them.

But now, here we were. Amanda had put in no effort, had even picked fights with him at every turn, and yet she was always the one sitting by his side.

Some seats can't be earned through effort.

And some people's favor can't be won, no matter how hard you try.

"What is this lame, sappy music!"

Amanda's brow furrowed as she reached for the console screen. "It's so stuffy in here!"

The cabin was filled with a country folk playlist from my library.

The system was logged into my account. He always kept it that way on his helicopter, knowing I loved it when he played my favorite songs.

"Don't touch that."

Finn slapped her hand away.

"I feel suffocated. Can't I put on something more exciting to get my blood pumping?"

Amanda shot her hand out again, completely unapologetic.

A two-second silence.

"Do whatever you want."

Finn conceded.

Amanda immediately logged out of my account and switched to her own.

The next second, a blast of heavy metal exploded from the cabin speakers.

Finn laughed, exasperated. "You call this 'getting your blood pumping'?"

"I find it pretty relaxing."

Amanda didn't even blink. "You're just getting too old for it."

The two of them were at it again, mocking each other's terrible taste, arguing over who recommended the last crappy movie, and bickering about who started what…

My chest tightened. I couldn't tell if it was motion sickness or something else.

The ocean outside the window flew past in a blur. I pushed the vent open wider.

The cold, high-altitude air rushed in, stinging my eyes.

Finn glanced at me through the reflection in the instrument panel. "The wind's too harsh up here. Close the vent, you'll catch a cold."

I pretended not to hear him. I didn't move.

Amanda had already closed her vent and was back to settling scores with Finn.

"You promised to take me racing in Vegas. It's been three months. How are you going to make it up to me?"

"When did I ever promise that?"

"Don't you dare play dumb with me! You said it at your place, by the pool table. I've got witnesses."

"Are you crazy? You'd get guys to lie for you over this?"

"When you're dealing with a bastard like you, you have to have a few tricks up your sleeve."

They glared at each other in the reflection, then, almost at the same time, they both smiled.

The smile was brief, but it held a chemistry that an outsider could never breach.

I stared at their reflection in the small, mirrored surface and suddenly realized my own face was nowhere to be seen.

I was curled up in the back seat, a complete stranger.

Watching him fight with her, watching her get tangled up with him.

For seven years, I had believed he was just naturally cold, a man of few emotions who didn't express himself easily, someone who kept his feelings guarded.

But with Amanda, he was capable of everything.

He could be wild, he could laugh, he could concede, he could give her an out.

It was just that none of it was ever for me.

By the time the helicopter landed on the island's private helipad, the sun was already hanging low.

Finn grabbed both suitcases with one hand and, out of habit, reached to pull me into his arms.

"Why the long face? Are you not feeling well?"

I shifted my shoulder to avoid his touch and started toward the villa, pulling my own suitcase.

His arm froze mid-air. A moment later, he was right behind me.

In the master suite, he set the luggage against the wall, then knelt and took my hands, his voice softening.

"Amanda is just a psycho who's been spoiled her whole life. We all grew up together; we see each other all the time. I can't just burn bridges with her over every little thing."

"I'm saying this because I know you'll understand, right?"

I didn't speak, my gaze drifting past him to the deep blue of the ocean outside the window.

He continued, his tone becoming even more soothing.

"Once we're married, no one will dare to come between us again."

"Everything you've been hoping for, I've prepared it all."

He tilted my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"A ceremony on the beach, white roses, champagne colors, the most dazzling diamond ring… I'll use all of the family's resources to give you the grandest wedding imaginable."

Grand. I had heard that word countless times over the last three years.

And he had promised it to me countless times.

Now, he was looking at me again with sincere eyes, a mix of guilt and hope for the future.

But I couldn't see any fear of losing me in him.

Of course. The thought that I might actually leave him had never crossed his mind.

"Are you exhausted from the long flight?"

"Yeah."

I finally spoke, my voice soft. "I'm tired."

He let out a sudden breath of relief and stood up, rubbing my shoulders. "It's been a long afternoon. You should get a good night's sleep."

He turned to leave the room.

"Finn," I said, stopping him.

He paused and looked back.

"When I say I'm tired, I don't mean from the flight. And it's not just about today."

His brow furrowed slightly. He was about to speak when the door was pounded on.

"Finn! Open this door!" Amanda's impatient roar came from the other side.

The door was pushed open a crack, and she squeezed halfway through. "I'm missing something."

"What is wrong with you? Why are you coming to me if you lost something!"

She shot him a glare without a word and walked straight to the suit jacket Finn had tossed on the sofa. She expertly fished a square packet from the pocket.

It was a condom, still in its wrapper.

The air in the room froze.

Amanda dangled it in front of him. "Where were you fooling around last night?"

Finn's face went grim. "When did you put this on me?"

"Like I have nothing better to do? The evidence is right here. Are you still going to deny it?"

Amanda turned to leave, then glanced back at me with a smile.

"Chloe, don't you take it to heart. Maybe one of his men put it in the wrong pocket by mistake!"

Her shamelessness was breathtaking. So brazen that if I were to react, I would be the one accused of making a scene.

Then she spun back to Finn. "My showerhead is broken. You come over and fix it, and we'll call it even."

"Aren't there servants on the island? Have them fix it."

"I want you to come over! I'm going to freeze to death in the middle of my shower."

She urged him on, stomping her foot like a demanding child.

Finn glanced at me but didn't move.

Amanda immediately raised her voice. "Finn! Are you coming with me or not?"

He sighed, muttering under his breath, "She's so clumsy. Always making trouble for me."

But in the end, he started walking. Before he left, he remembered to tell me:

"If you're sleepy, go to bed early. The view from the cliff is even better tomorrow."

"I'll be back soon."

The heavy wooden door clicked shut.

I sank onto the edge of the bed and closed my eyes, exhausted.

I knew he wasn't coming back.

I was so defeated I couldn't even summon the energy for disappointment.

The wedding, the future, all of it… I suddenly didn't want any of it anymore.

When Finn left, he forgot his phone on the bar.

The screen lit up. I glanced over and saw a message from Amanda.

[Who were you glaring at? In a rush to prove your loyalty to your perfect little girlfriend?]

[You're so ungrateful! Who was the one who took you street racing in the garage to blow off steam when you screwed up that deal for the family and the Old Man punished you?]

I reached out, picked up the phone, and unlocked it. The password hadn't changed. It was still my birthday.

I opened his chat with Amanda.

The chat history was endless. They talked every single day.

[Ordered you a whole box of sexy lingerie. Extra small, to make you look bigger. So you won't feel so insecure.]

[You should stuff your bra first, flat-chest.]

[You didn't send anyone to mess up my turf today. Guess you've grown up?]

[Count your lucky stars. Consider it a mercy from me!]

It was all meaningless nonsense, but Finn replied to every single message.

If not instantly, then only a few minutes later.

He met every provocation, engaged in every argument.

It was charged, fiery, and full of life.

My chat log was buried at the bottom of a long list of contacts.

The day before yesterday, I had sent him a picture of the pasta I'd made.

[The pasta I made today turned out great. I'll make it for you when you get home from work.]

He never replied. I scrolled up.

A song I'd shared, thinking he'd like it. Photos I'd taken of the sunrise and sunset from our window. I had even sent a simple [I miss you a lot tonight].

All of it had gone unanswered, without a single word in response.

His time was too precious. He was always in meetings, at social functions, handling disputes, settling turf wars.

He was so busy he barely had time to look at his phone, only to steal a quick glance now and then.

I never complained. I only hoped that these little pieces of my day might help him unwind.

I just never imagined that his few moments of downtime were spent on Amanda. On arguing.

To maintain a connection he always claimed was "so damn annoying."

Outside the window, the night waves crashed against the rocks, churning up a ghostly white foam.

The beautiful scenery reminded me, strangely, that he and I had also met by the sea.

I was working a night job at the docks to pay for my tuition, so tired after moving cargo that I could barely stand.

I looked up and saw a man sitting on a large rock, smiling at me.

It was a bad-boy smile, but it made my heart pound.

I had thought it was fate's gift to me. Looking back now, I was so naive.

The door opened and Finn returned. He saw the phone had been moved and his steps faltered for a second.

"So you went through my phone. Now you can relax, right?"

He sounded casual, almost righteous, as if there was nothing wrong.

As if my ignored messages, their heated exchanges, and the heart I had so carefully offered him were all insignificant.

In that instant, I understood. In his heart, my feelings, my disappointment, were never enough to make him panic.

I didn't answer him.

His brow tightened, and his voice took on a harder edge.

"Are you still angry about that condom? You know what kind of psycho she is. You know how I operate."

He walked over, pulled out his phone, and held a video up for me to see.

"She planted it herself. It's all on the hallway security camera."

He was waiting for my reaction, for me to be the understanding girl I'd always been.

To close the video, curl up in his arms, and admit that I had been overthinking things.

But I just stared into his eyes, my voice calm. "Understood."

He let out a cold scoff, snatched the phone back, and hit play.

On the screen, Amanda did indeed slip the small square into his suit jacket as she passed the coat rack.

"See? Satisfied?"

"I didn't do anything. Chloe, it's been seven years. You don't even have that little bit of trust in me?"

"Yeah."

"So let's break up."

He froze, not quite processing it, as if he had misheard.

After a long moment, he threw the phone onto the sofa, his eyes filling with furious red veins.

"What more do I have to do to make you happy? You're the only woman I have. I've given you the title, you can use my cards whenever you want, I've given you the best protection."

"Chloe, what more do you want? This angst of yours is suffocating me!"

"What do you think our problem is?! Just say it! What do you want? Just ask!"

Just as I was about to speak, Mia burst through the door, her face pale.

"Finn, Amanda… she's downstairs in the lobby playing strip poker with some of your guys. One piece of clothing for every lost hand. Right now…"

"She's down to her lace underwear. No one can get her to stop."

Finn's face instantly darkened. He was in such a rush he didn't even spare me a glance before turning to leave.

His jacket was still draped over the sofa. He didn't even grab it.

The door slammed shut with a heavy thud.

See? This is the problem.

She will always be the one he drops everything for.

And I will always be the one left behind.