At Emily’s birthday party, I lost the game. Her male assistant grinned and announced my punishment.

“Find an e-girl to date for a day — and it has to include at least a kiss.”

The whole room burst into laughter.

I ignored them and looked at Emily.

She took a casual sip of her drink. “A bet’s a bet, Roger. Don’t tell me you’re planning to back out?”

I smiled. “Alright. But just one day doesn’t feel like enough. If we’re going to do this, let’s do it for a lifetime.”

——

I pulled out my phone and, in front of everyone, posted on social media:

“’90s old man looking for an e-girl to wreck me — online now, urgent.”

The picture attached was my Porsche key.

The noisy laughter in the private room instantly faded.

Emily’s fingers tightened around her wine glass, her knuckles turning white.

Her dazzling, beautiful face suddenly fell.

“Roger, what are you doing?”

David quickly put on his trademark fake smile and stepped forward to smooth things over.

“Come on, it’s just a game. No need to take it seriously. We’re all here to have fun, right?”

As he spoke, his eyes instinctively flicked toward Emily.

Around us, the low murmur of whispers buzzed like flies.

“I can’t believe Roger’s such a sore loser…”

“Yeah, he’s totally jealous. He’s just trying to show off for Emily.”

“What kind of man acts so petty? Doesn’t he see where he is?”

“He probably can’t stand Miss Simpson getting close to David lately…”

“He’s asking for it. She hates people who mix personal feelings with business.”

I listened to their unfiltered gossip, a cold smile tugging at my lips.

They had no idea—today wasn’t just Emily’s birthday. It was also the fifth anniversary of the day we met.

And on the first of next month, we were supposed to get married.

David and Emily had been classmates in high school.

Three months ago, after I returned to the country, Emily personally hired him into the company, saying she wanted to bring in people with fresh ideas.

Ever since David became her assistant, things between Emily and me had started to change.

He was good at playing the game — on his very first day, he brought coffee for everyone and greeted every colleague with enthusiasm.

He always managed to show up just when Emily needed someone — handing her the document she was looking for, or offering the exact opinion she wanted to hear.

He had a sweet tongue and knew how to charm people, winning over all of Emily’s coworkers and girlfriends in no time.

Next to him, I — the quiet, introverted boyfriend — seemed out of place and dull.

On the surface, he always called me “Bro” with polite humility, but the smile on his face didn’t show true warmth or friendliness.

He would casually bring up funny stories from his and Emily’s school days.

When she was buried in work and stressed out, he’d distract her with nostalgic memories — just enough to make her smile for a moment.

Then he’d glance at me with that look — one that seemed apologetic, but was really a quiet provocation.

Emily’s attitude toward me had shifted too.

At first, everything felt normal, but soon, whenever she looked at me, there was comparison in her eyes.

She would laugh easily at one of David’s meaningless jokes, yet brush off the dinner reservations I had carefully planned.

She’d patiently listened to his obviously exaggerated compliments, but when I tried to talk about our future, she’d cut me off with a tired, “I’ve had a long day.”

And now, just like that moment — she was looking at me, cold and distant.

The love that once filled her eyes had been replaced by impatience — even disgust.

“Roger,” she finally spoke, her tone icy. “Delete that post. Stop embarrassing yourself here.”

David immediately chimed in, “Yeah, Bro, just take it down. It’s her birthday — no need to ruin the mood.”

He reached out to pat my shoulder, but I stepped aside.

I looked straight at Emily. “Embarrassing myself? Weren’t you the one who said I should honor the bet?”

David’s face twitched slightly before he forced a smile.

“Roger, I was just joking — really, just a joke. No need to take it so seriously…”

“A joke?” I interrupted him. “It’s funny how some jokes begin to feel real if repeated often enough.”

“And some people keep pretending for so long that they actually start to believe they’re someone important,” I added.

The meaning in my words was clear. David’s smile froze on his face and a flash of cold malice flickered in his eyes.

The murmurs around us grew louder, filled with a kind of eager excitement that came only when people smell drama.

“Yikes… they’ve finally fallen out.”

“Did Roger take something that made him energetic today?”

“Guess he’s been holding it in too long. But acting out like this is just pushing Miss Simpson further away.”

Emily took a deep breath, clearly forcing down her anger.

“Roger, I’ll say this one last time — delete the post. Then apologize to David.”

I gave a cold laugh and picked up my phone. In front of everyone, I added another line to the post:

‘Note: not a joke. I’m serious — looking for something for life.’

Then I turned the screen toward them.

I saw it clearly — her pupils contracted and her face went from pale to blazing with fury.

“I lost the game and I’ll take the punishment. But as for apologizing…”

My gaze brushed over the diamond ring on Emily’s ring finger — the one I bought with a year’s worth of savings. She had smiled so brightly when she first put it on.

“I refuse.”

Sensing the tension thickening in the air, a few people hurried forward to smooth things over.

Emily’s chest rose and fell as she struggled to contain her anger. She shot me a fierce glare, then finally forced herself to drop the topic of deleting the post or apologizing.

When it came time to cut the cake, the atmosphere turned strangely delicate.

Emily picked up the knife, her eyes sweeping over the crowd — deliberately skipping over me, standing right in front.

“David,” she said softly, “me help me.”

David immediately stepped forward. “It’s my honor, Miss Simpson.”

He stood beside Emily, shoulder to shoulder, their hands overlapping as they held the knife together.

Their movements were intimate, their faces almost touching.

Applause and teasing cheers erupted around them.

I stayed where I was, watching coldly — like an outsider observing someone else’s story.

After Emily made her wish and blew out the candles, David reached into his pocket and took out a small velvet box.

He opened it to reveal a platinum bracelet studded with tiny diamonds.

“Emmie, happy birthday.”

He deliberately used that intimate nickname.

His voice wasn’t loud, but it was enough for everyone to hear.

“I ordered this bracelet from France last month. Hope you like it.”

Emily’s face lit up instantly, her smile radiant. “David, you’re so thoughtful! As long as it’s from you, I’ll love it!”

Emily took off the slim green bracelet from her wrist and dropped it on the table, as if tossing aside something unnecessary.

My mother had given her that bracelet before she died. It was a family heirloom meant for the future daughter-in-law of the Carl Family.

“Here, help me put it on.”

Emily extended her wrist toward David, her tone laced with a touch of playfulness.

David carefully took out the glittering bracelet and fastened it around her slender wrist, his movements slow and gentle.

His fingertips brushed lightly against her skin and the two exchanged a knowing smile.

“Wow! It’s gorgeous!” someone exclaimed.

“The bracelet’s so sparkly — and the design is stunning!”

“Yeah, it's way better than that old-fashioned green bracelet from before!”

“This one’s perfect — it actually suits Miss Simpson’s style and elegance!”

“Roger really has great taste — so thoughtful!”

Compliments filled the room one after another, each word landing like an invisible slap across my face.

Expressionless, I walked forward.

While everyone’s eyes were still fixed on the new bracelet, I reached out and picked up the green bracelet.

The noise in the room dulled instantly.

Dozens of curious, expectant eyes turned toward me — some amused, some waiting for drama.

Emily noticed my movement too; her brows furrowed slightly.

I held the green bracelet firmly in my palm, then lifted my gaze to meet hers — calm, steady.

My voice wasn’t loud, but it cut cleanly through the silence and chatter.

“Since this old-fashioned green bracelet no longer suits Miss Simpson, then it should go back to where it belongs — my mother,” I said evenly,

The private room fell utterly silent.

Emily opened her mouth, as if to say something, but no words came out.

She clearly hadn’t expected me to be so blunt — or to bring up my mother.

A flicker of malice crossed David’s eyes before he forced a smile.

“Bro, there’s really no need for this, right? Emmie was just trying on the new bracelet. Why get angry over a bracelet? It’s her birthday today. Can’t we all just keep things pleasant?”

“It’s not about getting angry,” I replied evenly. “Since she doesn’t want it anymore, I’ll take it back — no need to let my mother’s good intentions go to waste.”

I didn’t bother looking at their faces after that.

I carefully tucked the green bracelet into the inside pocket of my jacket, then turned and walked out.

Behind me, I heard Emily’s sharp, mocking laugh rise above the silence.

“Take it back then! You think I care about that stupid bracelet? It’s old and tacky — I wouldn’t wear it even if it were free!”

David quickly followed after me, grabbing my arm. His voice was low but loud enough for the nearby guests to hear.

“Roger, don’t be rash. She didn’t mean it — she’s just angry. If you walk out now, this will blow up…”

I yanked my arm free with force.

He stumbled back a step, the fake concern on his face almost cracking apart.

“Save it, David,” I said coldly, giving him a sharp look. “You’ve overplayed your act.”

“David! Don’t bother with him! Let him go!” Emily’s voice cut through the air, sharp and shrill.

I didn’t look back. I walked out of that suffocating private room without a word.

Outside the hotel, the night wind carried a bite of cold.

Leaning against the car, I lit a cigarette.

The smoke filled my lungs and only then did the knot of frustration in my chest loosen a little.

My phone buzzed. It was a notification from the social app.

Someone had replied.

Without even checking the photo they sent, I typed out my location. “Come over. I’ll be waiting.”

Less than twenty minutes later, a girl pulled up on a shared e-bike by the curb.

She jogged over, her voice cautious. “Are you… the one? I’m Nelly.”

I looked up at her — a textbook e-girl look with short skirt, tight top, colorful hair, heavy eyeshadow.

But unexpectedly, there was a hint of shyness in her eyes and her voice was gentle.

“Yeah.” I flicked away the cigarette butt. “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere.”

Nelly nodded and followed obediently.

Once in the passenger seat, she sat quietly, careful not to touch anything she shouldn’t.

I drove to a nearby bar I often went to — not the fanciest place, but decent enough.

We found a booth and I ordered her a beer while I got myself a Coke.

She sipped her drink in small, quiet gulps, barely talking, though every now and then she’d sneak a glance at me.

“Um… you…”

She had just started to speak when a familiar wave of laughter and chatter came from the entrance.

I looked up — and couldn’t help the cold smirk tugging at my lips.

Speak of the devil.

Emily, David and the same group from the private room walked in, lively and noisy as ever.