My girlfriend, Elsa Smith, always avoided meeting my parents. Yet, she had no trouble turning around and playing the role of her ex-boyfriend Leo Quinn’s fiancée, happily meeting his relatives instead.

And the meeting took place in the apartment I had prepared for us to live in after the wedding. What she did not realize was that I happened to be Leo’s distant cousin.

She pretended not to know me and clung sweetly to Leo, saying, "This apartment was bought by my hubby, fully paid for." All the relatives were praising them as a loving couple.

To keep me from exposing her, Elsa came over to warn me, "I’m just helping a friend deal with marriage pressure. If you mess this up, we’re done."

So, I sincerely offered my congratulations. "Since Leo and I seem to have the same taste in houses and women, I’ve got some wedding supplies that I’m sure he’ll like. I’ll gift them to you both."

That was when Elsa finally started to panic.

I must have a strange connection with my distant relatives. It turned out that the new place we planned to live in after the wedding was in the same complex as theirs. It was even on the same floor and had the same apartment number. I wondered if I had mistaken the building.

I secretly sent a message to my girlfriend, Elsa Smith, venting about this bizarre coincidence.

Just after I hit send, my distant cousin, Leo Quinn, came out of the bedroom with his soon-to-be bride. The relatives cheered in support, and the bride shyly covered her face. Only I stood there in shock.

It was not until my mother elbowed me and said in frustration, "Look at Leo. He's about to get married. And you? Always talking about bringing your 'imaginary' girlfriend home. When are you going to let me meet a real one?"

I silently remarked, "Mom, you've already met her. The woman standing shyly beside another man is my girlfriend, Elsa."

But I did not dare say it aloud, fearing my mom would have a heart attack on the spot.

When I entered the complex earlier, I marveled at how fate seemed to link me with this distant cousin, even choosing our new homes in the same complex. But as we walked closer, I realized it was not just the same building or the same floor. It was the exact same apartment.

I had the keys to that apartment safely tucked away in my home. There was no way the keys could have gotten out. So, I just assumed I had mistaken the building.

But when Elsa stepped out, everything became clear. This kind of betrayal could only be an inside job. We never guarded ourselves against the people we loved. But that also made it easier for them to stab us in our most vulnerable places.

Now, under the adoring gaze of the relatives, Elsa and Leo shone like a perfect couple. His hand rested affectionately on her waist. She, finding the embrace not intimate enough, pulled his hand even closer.

The scene played out in slow motion before me, every detail magnified. A wave of bitterness and anger surged through me, threatening to drown me. I wanted to leave, but all I could hear were the relatives' blessings.

"Leo is so lucky to have found such a beautiful wife. May they have a long and happy marriage."

"They make such a perfect couple. I heard they've been together since college. I even saw their photos. They're just too sweet together."

Those words rooted me to the spot. I suddenly remembered that Elsa had a boyfriend in college with the last name, Quinn. Her friends used to tease her about how passionate and unforgettable their love was.

It turned out their love was so unforgettable that it had continued to this day, never fully severed. And I had been the fool, playing the part of a clown.

As Elsa and Leo greeted the relatives one by one, they finally made their way to where I stood. When she saw me, a flicker of surprise and guilt flashed in her eyes. However, she quickly masked it with a bright smile, acting every bit the blushing bride-to-be.

She pretended not to know me and started talking to others, but then she grabbed my mom's hand, saying, "Thank you. Please, enjoy yourself today."

My mom was unaware that she was my girlfriend. She warmly congratulated Elsa with genuine blessings and envy. "Oh, you're such a lucky girl. Leo is quite something, even getting the new home ready so well."

Elsa did not recognize my mom either, assuming she was Leo's relative. She even boasted, "This apartment was bought by my hubby, paid in full as a gift for me."

"Oh my, oh my, how sweet you two are! You're already calling him 'hubby,'" my mom teased, not forgetting to nudge me again.

She was silently urging me to learn from them. "Look at them. They've even bought an apartment."

"But Mom, the one who bought that apartment in full is your son," I thought to myself.

Elsa had finished greeting everyone and was getting ready to head to the restaurant for the next part of the day.

I was about to make an excuse to leave early, but Elsa suddenly pulled me aside into a corner. Her gentle smile vanished, replaced by a scowl as if she were facing an enemy.

"I know what you’re thinking," she said, her voice sharp. "I’m just helping a friend deal with his parents’ pressure to get married. He doesn’t want them to worry, and I’m doing a good deed here. If you cause any trouble, we’re done."

Even though she was the one in the wrong, she had no problem using the threat of breaking up like it was a card she could play anytime. It was as if our relationship was nothing more than a tool in her hands.

I stared at her in disbelief. "But this is our future home. You’re supposed to be my girlfriend."

Elsa dismissed my words. "I told you, I’m just helping out a friend. His parents are pressuring him so much that he can hardly breathe. Besides, I don’t mind, so why should you? If it’s such a big deal, we can sell the place and buy another. I’m not too happy with the current decor anyway."

The same apartment she proudly flaunted earlier in someone else’s name was now something she claimed to be dissatisfied with. I could not help but wonder. Was it the apartment she was ashamed of, or was it our relationship?

A wave of bitterness churned inside me, like a strong cup of black coffee turning my stomach. I felt sick. But she did not even notice my reaction. Her attention was fixed on her phone. A secretive smile was playing on her lips as she read a message.

Then, she looked up, threw a parting comment at me, and hurried off. "I’m leaving now. Don’t bother coming, or if you do, don’t cause trouble."

I stood there, laughing at myself. How could I leave? How could I miss witnessing her happiness?

By the time I arrived at the restaurant, they had already started eating. Elsa was chatting and eating at another table with some older ladies.

She had once told me how much she hated dealing with relatives, but now she seemed to handle it with ease. It turned out that line was probably just meant for me.

Meanwhile, Leo was sitting at a table with the younger crowd. He had clearly had a few drinks. His face was flushed as he bragged to those around him.

I sat down and caught part of the conversation.

"This woman," Leo said with a smirk, "was all over me in college, wouldn’t take no for an answer. I had no choice but to reluctantly keep her around. Now she’s the one insisting on getting married. Women are such a hassle."

One of the guys next to him egged him on. "She must have something that keeps you hooked, or you would have ditched her by now. Why did you stay with her for so long?"

Leo grinned and raised his eyebrows suggestively. "You know what it is. She’s great in bed. Never gets old, never gets boring. That’s her real talent."

He laughed and gave a thumbs-up. The men around him all shared a knowing look before bursting into laughter, glancing over at Elsa.

Elsa, seeing the lively atmosphere at the table, waved at us. She was completely unaware that she was the subject of their jokes.

Was this the same girl I once held so dear?

I took a deep breath, slowly releasing the grip I had on my thigh, where my fingers had dug into the flesh. From the very beginning of our relationship, Elsa had never let me touch her. She always said she needed to be sure I was "the one," and that everything would have to wait until after we were married.

The invitation I never got was something others had already used countless times.

I stood up and raised my glass, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. Elsa’s face turned pale and her expression was tense as she stared at me. Her eyes were warning me to stay quiet.

I avoided her gaze and called out loudly, "Since all our relatives are here, I would like to say a few words.

"Even though today’s the first time I’ve met Leo, we really hit it off right away. It feels like we’ve known each other forever, and we share so many of the same interests. So, I have a few wedding supplies that I’m sure he will appreciate. I’m giving them to him now. Wishing them a lifetime of happiness and lots of kids!"

Everyone clapped and cheered.

I added with a grin, "Don’t worry, they’re not second-hand. I’ve never used them."

Elsa’s eyes widened and her expression was shifting from anger to fear as she stood up. Her body was tensing as if she wanted to come over and explain.

However, the older lady next to her raised her glass for a toast. Elsa immediately smiled, clinking glasses with the lady and sitting back down.

I shook my head in bitter amusement and walked away alone.

Today was supposed to be a day of happiness for me and Elsa.

We had planned to finally introduce Elsa to my parents. We had been together for three years, but every time we scheduled a meeting, it kept getting postponed.

Elsa always had some excuse to avoid it. Excuses included nerves, a busy work schedule, not feeling well, or even saying the stars were not aligned for meeting the parents.

Three months ago, we were closer than ever to making it happen. My parents had even dressed in their best clothes and arrived at the reserved restaurant.

However, Elsa never showed up. Every call I made went straight to voicemail, and then she sent me a brief text, "My friend was in a car accident."

The absurdity of the excuse made it clear she was avoiding the meeting again. Elsa had once told me that her parents' divorce made her fearful of marriage, and I had only felt sympathy, promising her that I would wait until she was ready. So, I took the blame for her absence once again.

"I’m sorry, I must’ve told her the wrong time. She had a meeting she couldn’t miss. Next time, for sure."

But my parents did not believe me anymore. They were convinced that I had made up a girlfriend just to avoid being pressured into marriage.

"Even a company president can find fifteen or twenty minutes to grab a meal. What kind of position does your girlfriend hold?"

I had no response.

After three months of trying, Elsa finally agreed to meet my parents again a few days ago. I was worried something would go wrong if we waited too long, so I scheduled it for this weekend.

But yesterday, Elsa told me at the last minute that a friend needed her help with something important. The meeting was, of course, canceled.

My mom gave me a knowing look and said, "I knew this would happen. Since you’re free tomorrow, why don’t you come with me to a family gathering? Your cousin, who’s a year younger than you, is getting married soon. You can see what a real bride looks like."

She certainly saw it now, but it was my bride-to-be standing next to someone else.

It turned out that the important help Elsa was providing for her friend was pretending to be his fiancée to fend off marriage pressure, and it was all happening in our new home.

She had no hesitation in meeting all his relatives under the pretense of getting married soon. Meanwhile, I, the fool, was waiting like an idiot for a woman who stayed "pure" for someone else. All while my parents looked on enviously at the happiness of other families and worried about me.

……

After coming home, I sat alone on the couch, lost in thought. The events of the day kept replaying in my mind. I reached for a photo on the coffee table. It was one of the happy times Elsa and I shared. The smiles that once felt so genuine now seemed completely fake.

I heard the sound of a key turning in the door. It was already past midnight. I thought Elsa had come back. But it was Leo who walked in, holding a key to my place. I was not even surprised. If Elsa had given away our new home, what was a key to the rental apartment?

He smiled and said, "I didn’t know you were here, Seth."

This was my place, but Leo seemed surprised to see me, as if I were the intruder.

Without another word, he scooped up a seemingly drunk Elsa in his arms and carried her inside. He glanced at me sitting on the couch and said, "Move over."

I looked at the dazed Elsa and held back my anger. Leo casually walked into my bedroom, grabbed a blanket, and covered her with it before heading to the kitchen. He knew his way around this place as if he had been here many times before.

I felt a tightness in my chest. Perhaps, while I was away, Elsa had indeed brought him here often.

In front of me, Leo acted like the perfect gentleman, carefully giving Elsa water as if the way he had spoken about her earlier was just an act. It took a while for Elsa to regain full consciousness. She immediately thanked Leo. Her eyes were only on him, completely unaware that I was even in the room.

"Thank you, Leo."

"It’s me who should be thanking you. Since you’re okay, I’ll head out."

Even though it was only a few steps to the door, Elsa insisted on escorting him, shakily getting to her feet. They could not help but embrace, dragging out their farewell as if it was a dramatic scene from a movie.

I stood there coldly, watching their performance.

Just as Leo was about to leave, he stopped and stepped back into the apartment.

"Oh, my bad. I almost forgot to apologize to you, cousin. Sorry for borrowing your new home and your girlfriend today. You’re not mad, are you?"

He apologized with his words, but his expression showed no remorse at all. His tone was casual, and his eyes even held a hint of provocation. Before I could respond, Elsa quickly jumped in.

"Of course, he’s not mad. You were just trying to keep your parents from worrying. It’s all for a good cause."

Leo grinned and said, "Honestly, if it weren’t for how beautiful you look, I would’ve thought you were still single after we broke up."

His words were completely nonsensical and lacked any logic, but Elsa still ate it up. Her cheeks flushed red almost immediately. Leo's eyes roamed over her boldly and his gaze was full of teasing intent.

I was standing right there, and they continued to flirt as if I did not exist. My expression grew colder.

As Leo finally prepared to leave, I stopped him.

"Wait a second! If you’re going, take your fiancée and get out of my place!"

Elsa stared at me in disbelief.

"Seth, what are you saying?"