Chapter 9: Breaking the Habit

That deleted message was sent to Priya. No need to check, it had to be.

I pictured her face, the way she clung to the bedsheet in her flat. Everything clicked into place, bitterly.

The website he hacked—I also found it on the gaming café’s CCTV. It was the site where Priya, as a mistress, had her compromising photos posted by the wife.

The world is small, and campus gossip travels even faster. Everyone knew but me, it seemed.

She was his high school girlfriend, also his first love.

If Rohan was someone I shamelessly chased, then Priya was the one he truly liked.

It hurt to admit it, but I saw it in the way he softened around her, the way his voice dropped when he said her name.

Usually so calm he seemed emotionless, Rohan would get into fights for her and end up with a bruised face. Would give up months of competition prep. Would stand me up again and again. Would give up his principles and illegally hack someone else’s website…

I listed it all out in my mind, as if by counting his betrayals, I could make them smaller.

“I want you to delete her.”

I tried my best to control my emotions and act as calm as usual, but my eyes turned red anyway.

He was silent for a while, then pushed me away, his whole face frighteningly cold.

“Can’t delete her. Then what? What will you do?”

His tone made it clear he was sure I wouldn’t do anything.

He stared me down, daring me to make a move, knowing I never would. I felt like a chess piece, moved at his whim.

Just as he said, I wouldn’t dare. I liked him so much, how could I bear to break up?

But that day was strange. My heart felt like it was missing a piece, or maybe it had gained one.

For the first time, I really had that thought:

Break up.

The idea scared me, but it also felt like the only way out.