My boyfriend always made me delete every photo of us I shared online — then one day, I received a note that said, “I think you deserve to know who you’re really dating.”

was Avery’s video call. My birthday trip was his countdown text.

“I’ll send you everything.”

I used to think Tyler was spontaneous.

That night, I realized he was scheduled.

He hadn’t made time for me; he’d assigned me the empty spaces Avery left behind.

The next evening, I asked him to come over.

He arrived with noodles, my favorite soda, and mochi.

It looked continue reading …