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355words
I edited the recording,saved a backup online for later.
To keep up the act,I called Jake.
He didn't pick up.
Half an hour later,he called back."Was prepping work stuff,didn't hear you calling.What's up,Chloe?"
"Nothing,just wondering if you wanna grab dinner with me?"
"I'd love to,babe,I miss you.But this work's piling up—I might work terribly late.I'll hurry,okay?Maybe we can grab a late-night bite together."
"Such a shame."
I sounded disappointed.
"But my birthday's soon.You better make it special—no more excuses."
"Promise!"He agreed readily.
Ten minutes later,he sent a picture of a luxury skincare product.
"Birthday gift for you.Like it?"
I was stunned.
He'd never spent over$500 on me.
This was real generous for him.
What people said online was right:a guy's sudden generosity means he’s feeling guilty for cheating on you.
But why refuse?
Breaking up was one thing.
Accepting gifts was another.
"Amazing!Thank you,honey!Keep up the good work,love you!"
I added a cheering emoji to make my flattery seem more genuine.
It worked.
He sent me$143."Treat yourself to something nice—my conpensation for not being at dinner with you."
I pocketed it guilt-free.
Jake started"working late"every few days.
Meanwhile,couple-y trinkets like keychains appeared on him.
I didn't ask.
He,guilty,would sometimes explain deliberately."Got it with takeout."
"Coworker gave me this."
"Found it on the street,looked cool,kept it."
I acted like I noticed nothing,joining meetups,haughtily ordering him to fetch water or peel apples,running him ragged.
He was all smiles,never annoyed.
Lila’s expression however grew darker.
When I complained of pain in my wrist,asking Jake to massage it,she snapped,"Chloe,you sure know how to boss people around.Look at Jake,exhausted.Don't you care about your own man?"
I feigned surprise."Jake,you tired?"
He rubbed harder."Not at all.I'm strong."
He glared at Lila,snapping,"Mind your own business.Stop hovering like a third wheel.Aren’t you tired?"
To keep up appearances,he was harsh with Lila at meetups—scolding or snapping,acting fed up.
"Why're you so mean to her?She's a girl,"I once asked deliberately.
He scoffed,"A girl?Hanging with us guys all day,no class.I can't stand her."
He sounded convincing,almost real.
But at the last meetup,I saw him let her hook his leg under the table.
