While I thought we were only in a silent treatment period, Jamie found someone new.

I saw the photo on Facebook.

He was standing beside a girl, both of them smiling happily at the camera.

The moment I saw it, my heart skipped a beat.

Then I remembered what he had once said.

If you don’t want me anymore, I’ll find someone who looks like you and make do for the rest of my life.

I had never expected that joke to become real.

Even though my heart felt as if it had been torn open, I told myself I had to stay calm.

Maybe he was doing the same thing as me.

Maybe he was only trying to make me jealous.

Maybe the girl in the photo was not important at all.

So I liked the post.

Then I waited for him to call me.

I waited for him to explain.

One day passed.

Then two.

Then a week.

He did nothing.

In the past, whenever we fought, Jamie could barely last an hour. Even if I blocked him, he would find another way to reach me. He would call my friends, send emails, appear downstairs, or leave messages through every possible channel.

But this time, there was nothing.

I could not bear it anymore.

That night, I went drinking with friends and pretended I did not care.

After a few drinks, I picked up my phone and sent him a message.

Your girlfriend looks really pretty.

A while later, he replied.

Thank you 😊

I stared at that smiling emoji for a long time.

Then I became even more certain.

He was trying to make me jealous.

He had to be.

If I made the first move, he would come back to me immediately.

But my pride would not allow it.

I thought that if I compromised this time, he would gain the upper hand in our relationship. From then on, he would know that even if he found someone else, I would still be the one who lowered my head first.

So I held back.

After that, I became almost like a madwoman.

I kept checking his Facebook.

Morning.

Afternoon.

Late at night.

Whenever I had a spare moment, I would open his profile and look for updates.

Fortunately, after that photo, he did not post anything else.

So I forced myself to believe they would break up.

He was still in love with me.

He was only angry.

He was only waiting.

But in the end, what I waited for was their wedding invitation.

I opened our message history.

The last conversation between us had been several months ago.

Your girlfriend looks really pretty.

Thank you 😊

Back then, I had been so sure he was only trying to make me jealous.

Now, with trembling hands, I typed a new message.

Are you getting married?

He sent me the electronic invitation.

After that, the chat box showed typing for a long time.

Then his message appeared.

Are you coming?

Tears blurred my vision.

I typed slowly.

Do you want me to come?

This time, his reply was gentle and distant.

I’d like to have your blessing. But I understand if you don’t want to come.

I stared at those words.

Blessing.

He wanted my blessing.

Not my regret.

Not my tears.

Not my confession.

Not me.

Before I could regret it, I typed quickly.

I’ll be there.

After sending it, I sat there for a long time, unable to move.

A year ago, we had still been lying together in a hotel room, talking about how to decorate our future home and what names we would give our children.

What if we don’t end up together? I had asked.

That’s impossible, he had said.

What if I don’t want you anymore?

Then I’ll find someone who looks like you and make do for the rest of my life.

But Jamie.

I never really thought about not wanting you.

It was supposed to be a joke.

The person you love is still me.

Right?