The Childhood Sweetheart Wants a Breakup

The 'dog' I'd been dating for three years told his childhood sweetheart, "If you don't like her, I can break up with her."

I sneered inwardly.

I guess he'd forgotten how he begged me to go out with him back then.

1.

It was Cole Langdon's birthday, so I'd taken the day off and gone to his place to prepare a surprise.

I never expected him to be the one to surprise me first.

Cole was back. I was in the bedroom, and before I could even come out, I heard he'd brought a woman home with him. Her voice was unfamiliar.

From their conversation, I learned the woman's identity.

Cole Langdon's childhood sweetheart, Lianne Sherwood, who had been abroad for four years.

"Cole, now that you have a girlfriend, you won't dote on me anymore, will you?"

"Never, Lianne. Don't worry. No one will ever surpass your place in my heart."

After saying that, my so-called boyfriend didn't forget to add, "If you don't like her, I can break up with her."

"No, Cole, don't break up. It would make me look like the bad guy who tore you apart."

"How could it? If we break up, it would be her own fault. Who told her to get on my Lianne's bad side? My Lianne is the kindest, most wonderful woman in the world. Any woman Lianne doesn't like is a bad person."

'I was speechless.'

"Cole, don't say that. I already know I'm the most important person in your heart."

I suppressed the inferno of rage inside me, calmly pulled open the door, and leaned languidly against the frame, watching the two of them still tangled in a panicked embrace, not having had time to separate.

"Go on. Why'd you stop talking?"

Cole was the first to react. "Willa, what are you doing here?"

Lianne, meanwhile, feigned a wronged and fearful expression as she hid behind Cole.

Cole shielded her with his arm, his face full of wariness toward me.

"I came to celebrate a certain dog's birthday, but the dog gave me a surprise instead. How's that for a plot twist?"

"H-How could you say that about Cole?"

Lianne stood up as if she'd mustered all her courage to defend Cole.

"Was I talking about him? You sure were quick to connect the dots. Or deep down, do you think he's a dog, too?"

Seeing the color drain from Cole's face made me feel a whole lot better.

After all, the one who just implied he was a dog was his favorite little childhood sweetheart.

"N-No, Cole, that's not what I meant."

Lianne shrank back again, putting on a pitiful act like she was the one being bullied.

"It's okay, Lianne. I don't blame you. It's not your fault. I know you were just trying to defend me."

Cole soothed Lianne, his heart aching for her.

Their lovey-dovey act was making me sick to my stomach.

"Alright, enough! I'm still standing right here. Are you two that eager to be known as a pair of cheating dogs?!"

"Sister, you've misunderstood. Between Cole and me..."

"Oh, shut up. That mutt Langdon might love your little act, but I can't stand it."

'So coy and disgusting.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Even the voices of those green tea girls online are easier on the ears than hers.'

Seeing her on the verge of tears, I pressed on. "You'd better wipe that 'I'm-about-to-cry-because-I've-been-so-wronged' look off your face. Otherwise, I'm afraid my hand might just slip and connect with that three-foot-thick face of yours."

I made a show of waving my hand, which sent her scrambling behind Cole.

"Willa Valerius! Lianne is still young! Why are you trying to scare her?"

Cole's gaze was filled with reproach.

'Young?'

I laughed. "How young is she, exactly? If I recall, she's only one month younger than me, isn't she?"

"You! Lianne is gentle, kind, and timid! Nothing like you, who acts like a tomboy all day!"

"Cole Langdon, that's not what you used to say when you were pursuing me. You said you liked that I was brave and straightforward, that it made you feel safe."

"Heh. I guess you've forgotten the time I hauled you upstairs like a piece of luggage, haven't you?"

I stretched my wrists and gave him a defiant look.