The Next Chapter Doesn't Include You Chapter 1

It was New Year's Eve. I cooked a feast, waiting for Olivia to come home.

Olivia didn't even glance at the food. She just packed her bags.

She spoke coldly: "I can't spend the holiday with you this year."

I didn't say a word, just quietly ate the meal alone.

At midnight, Olivia's ex-boyfriend, Luke, posted a photo on social media right on time. Olivia was leaning intimately against his shoulder, with grand, sparkling fireworks outside the window.

The caption: "She said she'd drop everything and be here for me, as long as I asked."

I didn't lose control. I just calmly tapped the "Like" button.

Olivia called immediately, her voice urgent and panicked: "Don't be mad. I promise I'll spend next New Year's with you..."

I laughed bitterly: "Too bad there won't be a next year for us."

...

Olivia came home after the holiday. I usually met her at the bottom of our apartment complex, but not this time.

She texted: "Where are you?"

I was eating lunch. I casually replied: "Come on up yourself. I'm eating."

A moment later, I was in the kitchen washing dishes when Olivia came in, dragging her suitcase and catching her breath. "I haven't eaten either. Make me a bowl of noodles."

Normally, I would rush to cook for her, but I just said flatly:

"I'm busy. Go eat downstairs."

Olivia glared at me, annoyed, but she suppressed her anger. "I know you're still mad about New Year's. But please, stop giving me the cold shoulder. I'm genuinely hungry."

I dried my hands after finishing the dishes. "I'm not mad."

Olivia didn't believe me. "Luke is alone in the city. Regardless of our past, I should be there for him."

I replied calmly: "Yeah, I know."

Olivia stared into my eyes, trying to read me. Finally, she looked exhausted. "This is exhausting. Can you just stop being dramatic?"

I stared back: "I'm not being dramatic. You don't need to explain."

Olivia fell silent. She pulled an airplane model from her suitcase and handed it to me.

She looked down her nose at me and said flatly: "New Year's gift."

The plane model was poorly packaged, wrinkled and crushed, a stark contrast to the perfectly wrapped gifts Luke showed off online. I didn't show any pleasure. I just replied politely: "Thanks."

I didn't react further. Olivia's face tightened. She asked angrily: "That's it?"

I replied blandly: "That's it."

Olivia's face turned white with rage. She held out her hand to me: "Where's mine?"

I finally remembered. I apologized: "Sorry, I forgot. I'll transfer you money. Buy something for yourself."

I grabbed my phone and quickly sent her the money. Olivia's eyes widened. She couldn't believe I had forgotten. Exchanging New Year's gifts was our tradition. I had always maintained it, even when she forgot mine.

An awkward silence filled the room. I grabbed my jacket from the sofa and headed for the door.

Olivia called out urgently: "Where are you going?"

I answered simply: "Out to grab a drink with friends."

With that, I closed the door, ignoring her calls.

After I started dating Olivia, she said she didn't like me drinking, so I quit. As a result, my friends thought I was boring and controlled. My phone stopped ringing for parties.

Now, I was finally going to drink to my heart's content.