I had discovered this account purely by chance.

I was playing with my phone when the system automatically recommended people nearby. The profile picture was of an anime character that I really liked. Curiosity drove me to click on it.

At the time, the account only had slightly over 3,000 followers, and the latest post was published three days ago.

It was a photo of an office desk in the middle of the night, with the caption: [While working overtime late into the night, he said he would accompany me and starve together. Eventually, he still ordered two takeout meals. This fool.]

I subconsciously scrolled down.

[He said I was eating too little recently and insisted on giving me some of the beef from his pasta. I said I disliked meat, and he laughed and called me a child at heart.]

[Looking at the stars on the mountain top, he said he really wished time could stop at this moment. I felt the same way too.]

[I caught a cold, and he took a day off to take care of me. Even though he couldn't cook himself, he still made soup. It was burnt, but it was delicious.]

...

As I read through each post, I inexplicably felt touched. Those ordinary daily routines and heartwarming details were just like the beautiful romance I had once dreamed of.

I wanted to offer my blessings, but then I discovered the poster had disabled comments, so I silently followed them.

It turned out that I was just an unwitting supporting character in every happy memory of theirs.

She said that they had been together for ten years, and Josh and I had only been together for ten years. That being said, Vicky and I had known each other for 20 years.

When I was ten, she moved next door to me. The first time we met, she had two pigtails and handed me a strawberry lollipop. "My name is Vicky Yeager. We're friends from now on!"

From elementary school to college, we were inseparable. She knew all my secrets and accompanied me through every important moment of my life. During sophomore year, I met Josh. He was the most handsome guy in the architecture department; the girls who pursued him could form a line up from the school building to the school field. I was just an ordinary, unremarkable person; I never thought he would notice me.

"What are you afraid of? You're the literature department's top student. Want me to help you get his contact?" Vicky encouraged me.

Later, Josh and I got together.

I told Vicky first, and she hugged me and spun me around, even more excited than I was. "Great! Our Zoe finally got her wish!"

I was sure she was genuinely happy for me back then.

There were always people joking online that a best friend was like a boyfriend's second mother-in-law. No matter how good your boyfriend was, he was never good enough for your dearest best friend.

Vicky was the same. Although she was happy to hear I had a boyfriend, she could not stand anything about Josh when she actually met him.

The first time they met, I was on a date with Josh in the cafeteria, fully dressed up.

Vicky had just finished a group assignment the day before, sporting dark circles under her eyes from staying up all night, and greasy hair from not washing it for days. She was also casually wearing pajamas and flip-flops. She just pushed Josh aside and plopped down next to me.

Josh was startled and had to sit opposite me.

Vicky's gaze swept over him blatantly, her face full of disgust. "Is that it? Darling, I suddenly feel like I was wrong to be so happy for you the other day. Should we reconsider?"

She was blunt, and Josh's expression was not much better. Later, I asked him what he thought of my best friend. He also said dismissively, "She's alright."

I even playfully punched him. "She's my best friend, and you're my beloved boyfriend. You two have to get along."

After we started working, Josh and I shared a small apartment. Vicky often came over for meals, and sometimes she would just sleep on our couch if it got too late.

"Seriously, it's like I'm your adopted daughter," she once joked.

Josh would play along, putting on a stern father's face. "Well, my dear daughter, stop eating and drinking for free and wash the dishes."

The apartment was filled with the sound of our laughter.

I never imagined that this happiness would be a mirage built on lies.

I stumbled into the bathroom and repeatedly rinsed my face with cold water, but I still could not calm down.

My wedding would be held tomorrow. The invitations had been sent out, the hotel had been booked, and the wedding dress was hanging in the closet; everything was ready.

I trembled as I tried to call Josh's number. Once, twice, thrice... No one answered.

I stood there for a long time, stunned. Somehow, I called Vicky's number. It gave me the same busy tone; My heart almost sank right away.

I could not understand it. When they were having fun together without telling me, did they ever feel a shred of guilt toward me? Or were they just enjoying the thrill and excitement of the affair?

I knew Vicky was a travel blogger. She was used to filming wherever she went, and traces of her influence could be found on various platforms. I also knew that people who ran social media always had countless sub-accounts.

I searched the hotel name and looked through the attached IP. Finally, I found a photo in an account called The One Who Isn't Loved Is The Third Party.

In the photo, the man's long fingers were opening a bottle of champagne. The wristwatch he was wearing was the birthday gift I gave him last year. It was Josh.

The caption was just a short line. [Every second of these stolen moments is a countdown.]

There were already many comments below, some blessing true love, others questioning whether she was a homewrecker.

I clicked on her profile with trembling hands and found that this account was completely different from the previous couple's account. This account had hundreds of thousands of followers and was registered much earlier.

She recorded our story on this account. The first post was a sarcastic jab at me for being a manipulative woman.

[If I had known it was so easy to get the campus heartthrob, I would have gone for him too. My best friend actually got together with him.]

[And she didn't even tell me that she was on a date with him. Must she show me in my pajamas without makeup so that she will stand out? Unbelievable.]

Someone in the comments joked that we were just fake best friends, to which she replied with a sly grin.

Later, I caught a cold and had a fever. Josh came to take care of me, and she wrote: [Someone really has princess syndrome. Even with just a fever, she needs to be waited on hand and foot.]

[But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise; I had some time alone with him. She's quite good at creating opportunities for us.]

They were already secretly having an affair in a corner I could not see.

Vicky said: [We coincidentally added each other as friends using our sub-accounts. Does that mean we're on the same wavelength?]

A large amount of censored chat history was also shared with the initial post.

They talked about music, ideals, and everything Josh thought I would not understand. Vicky always knew what to say and was always there for me. Josh said chatting with her was always so easy.

On Valentine's Day, Vicky made chocolates and sent them to my office, but she refused to accept Josh's gift, saying she was afraid he would waste money. Josh was touched and said she was the most special girl.

They cautiously maintained their ambiguous relationship, always emphasizing that their updates were inspired by her best friend. Giving her gifts was to thank her for taking care of me; inviting her to dinner was to help me taste the food.

In her description of things, I became spoiled, willful, and immature.

They indulged in the pleasures of their immoral behavior under the cover of self-deception.

On Vicky's birthday, I gave her the limited edition handbag that she had been longing for.

The next day, she happened to meet Josh while carrying it and took a selfie in the coffee shop, accidentally capturing him in the photo. She took a photo of the three of us watching a movie, but they were holding hands under the armrest.

On the day Josh proposed to me, Vicky updated a long post, expressing her pain and dissatisfaction.

She wrote: [I need an answer tonight. If he loves me, he shouldn't miss this opportunity.]

She did it. That night, Josh kissed her and did not reject her.

They agreed to have a wild trip before their wedding, so Josh told me that he would be on a business trip for a week.

My stomach felt like it was being turned upside down. What overtime work? What social engagements? It turned out that they were all excuses for their dates.

During those seven days, Vicky uploaded countless videos. She said she wanted to cover all of Josh's memories with me and fill his future with her presence.

I went through the posts, tormenting myself. From restaurants to hotels and from cruise ships to mountain trails. Two different people in the same scenery. As I watched, I went from initial heart-wrenching pain to numbness. I eventually felt it all a bit absurd. It turned out even hatred was unnecessary once the heart was dead.

As the sun was about to rise, I made a decision — the wedding had to be cancelled.

I turned on my computer and began drafting an email to inform the guests. With every word I typed, my heart ached a little more. 10 years of love and 20 years of friendship had vanished instantly.

Before I even sent the email, I called Vicky. "Zoe? Why are you calling me at this hour? You're about to become the most beautiful bride. You can't stay up all night!" Her voice was light and natural.

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

Sensing something was off with me, she immediately asked with concern, "Zoe? Are you okay? Are you too nervous to sleep? Where's Josh? Why isn't he keeping you company? Is he busy with work that he didn't answer your calls again? I'm so fed up with him! If it weren't for the fact that you're getting married tomorrow, I'd call him right now and give him a piece of my mind!"

How ironic. She published that resolute post just a short while ago, and yet now she could comfort me so calmly.

I finally managed to squeeze out. "No...Nothing. I'm just a little nervous and suddenly wanted to hear your voice."

"Silly girl." She laughed helplessly. "Don't worry. Everything will be perfect tomorrow, I promise. Now, all you have to do is sleep well. I'll take care of everything else."

Suddenly, a deep gasp came from the other end of the line. It was Josh's voice.

I fought back my tears. "Vicky, are you hiding something from me?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by a flustered attempt to cover up. "What are you saying? Zoe, what's wrong?"

I replied, "Put your phone on speaker."

Vicky hesitated slightly, but still did as I said.

My voice was clear and firm. "Vicky, Josh, I've decided to cancel the wedding. I wish you both a happily ever after."