The Forgotten Valentine's Day

She thought love was about mutual giving, until she discovered her boyfriend had taken her best friend to New Orleans for Valentine's Day—while she was alone in the ER with a 104‑degree fever, he was by the river with her best friend, wiping her fingers, slipping onto her neck the designer limited‑edition necklace that was supposed to be hers. She didn't cry, didn't confront, didn't ask.

Quietly, she applied for a three‑year overseas research program, sold the apartment, and left while he was st