Mateo had posted about us on social media, so I hadn't thought much of it.

Then one day, he handed me his phone to pay the bills. I saw that post and found it was visible only to me.

Turned out, he had faked it the whole time. His love for me was nothing but a show.

The doorbell rang, interrupting my thoughts.

I opened the door, expecting Mary. It wasn't her, but Mateo.

I looked at him but didn't feel a thing. I said firmly, "We're over. I'm not getting back to you."

He was already on edge, and my words lit a fuse.

He slammed my favorite mac and cheese on the entryway table, grabbed my hand, and stared me down.

"Say that again," he growled. "What do you mean by that? You're an orphan, and I'm the only one in this world who cares about you."

I shook him off and stepped back.

"You dumped me first," I said, tearing up.

He couldn't bear to see me cry. He cooled off and took my hand, trying to coax me.

"Don't cry. That will wrinkle your face. I only suggested breaking up because her parents asked. I'm still your guy. I just need to step away for a bit, okay?" he said softly, pulling me to the couch.

His soothing voice lulled me to sleep, but my symptoms felt worse.

I only half-heard him whispering that it wasn't his choice. Their parents were tight, and they had begged him to help.

Besides, Sophie was his childhood friend. He couldn't sit by.

I bought it, but his lies were short-lived.

One day, I went to his office and saw a black car parked downstairs. It was Mateo's.

A girl lounged in the driver's seat, scrolling her phone.

When Mateo came down, she honked. He smiled and walked over with brisk steps.

Sophie rolled down the window, tilted her chin up, and demanded a kiss. He leaned in and planted one on her lips.

They acted like no one else existed. They didn't even notice me.

Something in me shattered.

Sophie grinned, "Hop in. I'm taking you for a spin."

Mateo climbed in without a second thought. That side of him was something I had never seen before.

Seeing his true colors made my skin crawl. It was hard to believe someone could play the perfect boyfriend for four whole years.

I started to doubt that our breakup was really about Sophie's depression. Maybe he was just done with me and used her as an excuse.

He had been in love with her all along, playing me like a fool.

It all clicked. The other day, he'd rushed to dump me so that he could rekindle things with his old flame.

I tore up a referral letter from some big-shot client, saying goodbye to the fake past.

I quit my job and stayed home to rest.

Back when I was broke, I'd tough out sickness until I couldn't anymore. Then I'd drag myself to a clinic.

I could feel my condition getting worse by the day. It pushed me to go back to the hospital for a checkup.

There, I ran into some familiar faces, but I didn't feel a thing. It only left a bad taste in my mouth.

Years ago, they dumped me at an orphanage after finding out I had a genetic defect.

Money wasn't an issue for them, but they didn't want me.

Later, they had another kid. It was Sophie.

In 20-plus years, we had only met once. It was my 18th birthday.

They showed up, all guilt and apologies, with 100 thousand dollars as compensation.

I didn't want anything to do with them, so I turned it down.

Later, I found out they were bidding against some big company. I was their only dirty secret.

If word got out that they had abandoned a daughter, their company would face a PR nightmare like never before.

I didn't care and refused to take the money. I just told them to leave me alone.

They hesitated before walking away. Until now, I hadn't seen them again.

Unaware of my presence, they brought Sophie to the maternity ward.

Sophie had never met me, but I knew her from the albums on Mateo's phone.

She clung to her mother's arm, rubbing her belly and giggling.

A young couple nearby looked at her with envy.

"Her parents love her so much. They come along with her every time."

"What about her husband?"

"Busy at work, probably."

"Heard he's a therapist, hot and loaded."

Who they were talking about was not hard to guess. I'd be lying if I said it didn't sting.

I turned to leave, but a cold voice stopped me.

"What are you doing here?" Mateo demanded, yanking me out of Sophie's sight. "I told you, once Sophie's better, I'm back with you. Why are you stalking her at the hospital? If she freaks out and her condition tanks, can you cover that?"

"I'm here because I'm ill," I replied, expressionless.

He eyed me up and down, snorting, "But you look all fine. I caught you red-handed, so stop lying."

"Just feeling off. Came to check," I said calmly. "Oh, and your new girl is pregnant. You know that?"

"No way," he blurted out. "Sophie has never even dated. How could she be pregnant?"