Blurb：
For ten years, Brooke lived under the shadow of Derek’s manipulative social media countdown—a toxic three-day silence equals breakup rule he weaponized in every argument. When Derek skipped their 67th courthouse wedding date to help his childhood friend Brittany—posting their marriage certificate online—Brooke finally snapped. She liked the post and wished them well, but Derek’s rage exploded, demanding an apology for Brittany’s accidental share. This time, Brooke hung up. The countdown began again, but no pleas followed—just her resignation from the relationship. As Derek and Brittany gaslight her online, with mutual friends piling on, Brooke realizes the scales of affection tipped long ago. At the clerk’s office, she tears up the wedding form she filled out 67 times, freeing herself from Derek’s control and Brittany’s smug taunts. A story of reclaiming self-worth against emotional manipulation, fake apologies, and a love triangle built on lies.
Content：
Every fight triggers my boyfriends social media countdowna relic of our dumb three-day silence equals breakup rule. For ten years, hes weaponized it.
When he skipped our 67th courthouse wedding date to help his just-divorced childhood friendthen posted their marriage certificateI finally snapped.
I liked the post and wished them well.
His rage exploded: Brittany accidentally clicked share! Must you be so petty? Shes fragile right now!
Its just paperwork. Ill marry you when shes stable. Apologize now.
This time, I hung up.
The countdown began again. But no desperate texts. No begging outside his door.
Just my resignation submitted.
Done.
After I hung up on a dozen of his follow-up calls, he finally sent a text, his patience worn thin:
Brooke, you’ve got some nerve. Hanging up on me? You think youre in the right here?
You have five minutes to post an apology, or we’re through.
Ten years together, and Id heard threats like this a hundred times. Every single time, I was the one to cave, to plead for forgiveness. This was the first time Id ever just hung up.
When I didn’t respond, Derek started the countdown on his social media feed.
He knew how much I loved him, and he used it. Every fight, hed start the clock, piling on the pressure. For ten years, that stupid rule was his leash, and I was always the one to come crawling back just before time ran out.
But now, Im tired. Im so tired of being played.
Not long after Dereks post, Brittany, the childhood friend, posted one of her own, tagging me specifically.
Just a little joke with Derek that I accidentally made public. I didn’t realize Brooke would get so upset. I guess I shouldnt even talk to her anymore, Im so afraid of setting her off.
Derek, who rarely even looks at his feed, was the first to like it.
It’s someone’s own issue, Brittany, don’t blame yourself. And why should you hide it? If you want to post something, post it.
Someone, of course, meant me. Our mutual friends, whose businesses relied on Dereks law firm, quickly followed suit.
Brooke is so petty. Don’t let someone like her get you down, Brittany.
No wonder Derek won’t marry her. I wouldn’t marry a woman that insecure either.
I let out a bitter laugh. He would bend over backwards to defend Brittany, terrified of her feeling even a sliver of discomfort. But me, his girlfriend of ten years? I was always met with cold indifference.
Brittany could sneeze, and he would ditch our appointment at the courthouse. Id complain, and hed get angrier than I was, accusing me of being controlling and petty.
But now that Id finally let go and congratulated them, he was back to his threats and countdowns, demanding I apologize.
It was never about right or wrong. The scales of his affection had tipped long ago.
Ma’am, the man whose ID you provided is already married. Would you like to change the applicant?
The clerk looked at me with pity. I took the ID back and smiled.
That’s something to consider.
The young couple behind me cheered as I stepped out of line. It was Valentine’s Day, and appointments at the clerk’s office were a hot commodity. I had waited for hours just to get this spot.
But now, looking at the registration form in my hand, I ripped it to shreds without a second thought and tossed it in the trash.
I had filled out that form 67 times. I had given him 67 chances.
Every time, I would show up early, full of hope, watching the happy couples while I waited for him to arrive. And every time, just before our appointment, he would call with an excuse. The firm was busy. A client was in crisis.
Brooke, these are people’s lives on the line, he would say, his voice dripping with self-importance. You want me to abandon them for a piece of paper? How can you be so selfish?
He never knew that after he ditched me for Brittany, she would send me texts, gloating.
Dereks cooking is amazing. I bet youve never had it, have you?
I walked a little too far today, and Derek was so worried he bought me a luxury car. You’re still using a bike share, right?
And now, hed even gotten a marriage license with her.
It was time for our story to end.
The moment I stepped out of the municipal building, I got a notification. My resignation request had been rejected.
HR told me Derek hadn’t been in the office for days and couldn’t approve it. They gave me an address and told me to find him myself.
Gritting my teeth, I went. The address was a pool hall. Brittany had posted that she wanted to learn to play pool, and Derek, the workaholic, had apparently skipped work for days to teach her.
When I found him, he was leaning over Brittany, guiding her shot, their bodies pressed close. The moment she saw me, a contemptuous smirk played on her lips.
A few of his office sycophants saw me and swarmed over.
Well, well, look who’s here for Mr. Big Shot.
Told you. The three-day countdown wouldn’t even last one. She came crawling back.
Our boss really has her whipped. One word and she’s on her knees.
Alright, alright, pay up. A bet’s a bet.
I frowned. Id heard their taunts a million times before, but it never stung like it did now.
I’m not here to make up.
My words sent them into a fit of laughter. Don’t pretend, Brooke. Everyone knows you’re Dereks number one groupie. You wouldn’t leave if he set you on fire.
I ignored them and slapped my resignation papers on the table. Derek, sign it.
He was about to look at the papers when Brittany whined, Derek, honey, how do I make this shot?
He immediately dropped the papers, pulled his personal seal out of Brittanys pocket, and tossed it to me.
Sign it yourself. And don’t bother me while I’m teaching Brittany to play.
Derek was obsessed with his privacy. He never let me near his safe. Hed shield his phone like it held state secrets when he typed in a password. And his personal seal? He never let it out of his sight.
But now, he had just given it to Brittany. He was so wrapped up in their date that he couldn’t even be bothered with official company documents.
I clutched the stamped resignation letter, my heart feeling like a cavern with the wind howling through it.
I turned to leave, but Derek called out to me.
Brittany’s busy for the next few days. Can you handle her caseload?
He tossed a thick stack of case files at me, each one with nothing but a title. Id lost count of how many times hed asked me to do Brittanys work. Every time, she would take the credit. But if I made a single mistake under the crushing workload, the blame was all mine.
Sometimes Id refuse, but then hed accuse me of not caring about him or the firm, of letting him down. Hed say if I didnt do it, hed have to do it himself. And I, worried about him overworking himself, would always give in.
All my sacrifices just earned me his contempt and the right to be ordered around.
But I was an ex-employee now. The firms problems werent mine anymore.
No, I already qui
My words were cut off by Brittanys pathetic whimper. Derek, it’s okay if Brooke doesn’t want to. I can do it myself.
You just got divorced, Derek cooed, full of sympathy. You’re in no state to work. Go have fun. Don’t worry about it.
He turned back to me, his tone glacial. You know, you’ve already upset Brittany enough with that stunt on your feed. I’m giving you a chance to make it up to her, and you’re refusing? If you keep this up, in three days, you could be on your knees begging, and I still wouldn’t take you back.
I laughed bitterly. When my mother died unexpectedly, I had collapsed from grief multiple times. All Derek had said was, Pull yourself together and get to work on time. The firm needs you.
But Brittany, who had been divorced for two years, could still use not feeling up to it as an excuse to skip work.
Fine by me. I don’t care.
I turned to leave. Derek’s face was a mask of shock.
The colleagues were stunned too. Is she really leaving?
Brittany just chuckled. Oh, Brooke, if you don’t want to do the work, just say so. No need to play hard to get.
At her words, Derek’s brow smoothed, his confidence returning. His tone softened. Alright, Brooke, I know I’ve been neglecting you. Be a good girl and finish Brittanys work, and in three days, we’ll go get our license, okay?
Another empty promise. But this time, I had no appetite for it.
I didn’t answer. I just walked away.
The colleagues started their snide remarks again. Look at her, pretending to be tough. Just wait. By tomorrow, she’ll be back, begging for forgiveness.
A wicked thought crossed my mind. I wanted to see them lose.
I smirked and looked back at them. Fine. Then you just wait and see.
Once my resignation was finalized, I went straight to my best friend’s company.
In the legal world, clients follow the lawyer, not the firm. My friend was so thrilled to have a top-tier lawyer like me join her team that she practically bowed at my feet. She offered me ten times my previous salary and a villa.
I finally moved out of my shabby little apartment.
Many of my old clients had been shocked to learn that a gold-medal lawyer lived in such a rundown place. I’d always just brushed it off, saying I wasn’t materialistic. The truth was, Id willingly taken a junior-level salary for years to help Dereks firm grow.
At first, he was grateful. Then, he started to take it for granted. When the heat broke in my apartment one winter, and I asked for money to replace it, he called me extravagant, accused me of being a gold-digger.
But for Brittany? Hed buy her a mansion without a second thought. Even Brittany’s dog had a heated doghouse.
On the day I moved, I ran into Derek and Brittany. His parents were with them. The four of them were having a happy family dinner at a high-end restaurant.
I froze. I remembered the first time I went to Derek’s house. I came bearing gifts, but his parents served me a table full of leftovers. When I awkwardly suggested we all go out to eat, they accused me of being a leech, a spendthrift living off their son.
In the end, I cooked for the whole family. After Id prepared a feast, Dereks mother slammed her chopsticks down and declared my food too salty. Only peasants who do manual labor eat like this, she sneered. Just what I’d expect from someone with your background. The gifts I brought them ended up with the building’s cleaning staff.
The contrast made me feel like a clown.
Dereks parents were eagerly piling food onto Brittanys plate.
Brittany and our Derek are just perfect for each other, his mother gushed. If only you hadnt been tricked by that other man, you two would have been together years ago. I think the time is right. You should be together.
His father chimed in, Yes! Brittany landed several big clients for Derek as soon as she joined the firm. Her future is limitless. Not like that useless Brooke, who can only cook and clean.
Hearing this, I trembled with rage. I was the one who landed those clients. Derek just credited them to Brittany. The money I earned practically supported the entire firm, but Derek never once praised me. Instead, he constantly belittled me, saying I only got cases because of the platform his firm provided.
Now, listening to his parents slander, he didnt even try to correct them. He just sighed. Well, weve been together for so long. Its comfortable.
My heart plummeted. All these years, to him, I was just comfortable.
His mother was not satisfied. Derek, Im telling you, that Brooke girl is bad luck. Just look at how her parents died so young. Marrying her will bring you nothing but trouble.
Derek didnt respond, but I was already in tears.
My parents had died giving blood to save his. After a car accident, Derek’s parents were in critical condition. My parents, who had a matching blood type, donated without a second thought. But it wasnt enough. Derek was a mess.
My parents, knowing how much I loved him, secretly donated more blood than their bodies could handle.
Dereks parents were saved. Mine were gone.
At first, his family felt guilty. They promised to compensate me, to take care of me. But the compensation never came. Instead, I became the bad luck they talked about.
I couldnt listen anymore. I turned to leave.
But Brittany spotted me.
Well, look who it is. Brooke.
Derek and his parents turned to look. The moment he saw me, he instinctively pulled his hand away from Brittany’s.
Brooke, what are you doing here?
Brittany feigned innocence. Derek, Brooke is so devoted to you. She shows up wherever you are. I bet she has a tracker on you.
Oh, Brooke, don’t misunderstand, she continued sweetly. Derek and I are just childhood friends. His parents are like my own. We have family gatherings like this all the time. If you mind, I can leave right now.
Why would you leave? Derek grabbed her hand, glaring at me. Brooke, the firm is swamped. What are you doing here, stalking me? Are you out of your mind?
Do you enjoy being so paranoid? Get back to the firm right now. And report to HR for a penalty. You’ve lost your pay for the day, and your perfect attendance bonus for the month.
His parents chimed in. Derek, why do you keep a parasite like her around? Just fire her. You’re too soft. How do you expect a talented employee like Brittany to feel valued?
Brittany pretended to be kind. It’s no problem. I can just clean up Brooke’s messes. But Brooke, you’re not getting any younger. What will you do if you lose your job at the firm? You should apologize to Derek. Don’t be so stubborn.
Derek’s parents praised Brittany for her kindness and maturity. Derek’s expression turned even more disgusted.
What are you waiting for? Get back to work. And I’m telling you now, if I don’t see you at the office by the end of the day, when the countdown ends, don’t even bother trying to make up with me. We’ll be done for good.
He then paid the bill and left with his family.
Later that day, just before closing time, Derek made a point of stopping by the office. When he saw that I hadn’t returned, he flew into a rage and went straight to a bar. He had a colleague casually leak his location to me.
I ignored it all.
Eleven o’clock. The day was almost over.
Derek had drunk himself sick, but the agitation in his heart wouldn’t subside. He kept glancing at the door of the private room, his heart leaping every time it opened. But it was never me.
His phone was silent. He asked his assistant to check if it was broken. After confirming it was working fine, his mood plummeted. He was used to me chasing him, coddling him. This was a new, unsettling feeling.
He looked at his phone’s wallpaper. It was a picture of our first kiss, a candid shot he’d taken in a moment of pure joy. A small smile touched his lips.
In the end, he couldn’t resist. He sent me a text.
Brooke, don’t say I didn’t warn you. The three days are almost up.
The message went unanswered.
Derek’s brow furrowed. The lively atmosphere in the room slowly died down under his icy demeanor. The air grew thick, and everyone breathed a little quieter.
Just then, the door to the room was pushed open. Everyone looked up.
A colleague burst in, breathless and beaming. She’s here, she’s here! Mr. Miller, she’s downstairs!
She’s all dressed up, she looks amazing! You should go see!
Derek’s expression instantly relaxed. He leaned back in his chair, a smug smile spreading across his face. Go tell her she’s too late. It’s already 12:01. If she wants me back, it won’t be that easy.
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