The Afterthought Boyfriend

The pen hovered, ready to sign the lease for our new apartment, signaling a huge step forward after seven years with Chloe.

This was supposed to be it, our future, a real home we'd finally share.

Then, her phone buzzed for the third time in minutes, betraying the familiar source of chaos: Liam.

"He needs me," she whispered, already pulling away, leaving me stranded with two unsigned leases and a bewildered agent.

My heart sank when I scrolled social media to find Liam's smug selfie with Chloe, her arm around him, captioned "My angel, always there."