Undercurrent

Chapter 1

My birthday dinner was a solo affair.

Instead of celebrating with me, Austin sent a $5.20 digital gift card with the message: “I love you.”

Then, his apprentice, Yuki, posted on social media.

It was a screenshot of a $52,000 transfer from Austin, accompanied by the message: “I love you forever.”

I didn’t make a scene. I just left town.

The first day I was gone, I heard Austin brushed it off, saying, “She’ll be back in a few days.”

A month later, he called, pleading, “I’ll send you $520,000, just come back!”

But what I wanted was never money.

1.

Yuki’s post was flooded with comments.

They were from Austin’s friends; I knew them too.

“Wow, Austin’s so generous! Just throwing money around.”

“I just saw Mia’s post. Austin only sent her $5.20. Looks like Yuki’s still the apple of his eye!”

My face went blank for a few seconds.

It was my birthday, and Austin had texted early that morning, saying he was too busy to make it.

He sent the $5.20 gift card.

“I love you.”

Suddenly, seven years of our relationship felt like a cruel joke.

To him, I was worth $5.20, while Yuki was worth $52,000.

Yuki updated her post with a video.

It was in a karaoke bar; Austin was singing a love song, staring deeply into the camera.

People were cheering, “Austin, you’re so in love with Yuki!”

“Dump Mia and go public with Yuki already!”

The video cut off there.

My grip tightened on my phone. I felt a suffocating pressure in my chest.

I glanced at the table. It was laden with a dinner I’d spent two hours preparing.

There was also a cake I’d baked myself.

I’d envisioned a perfect birthday with Austin.

But he’d ditched me again, using work as an excuse to be with Yuki.

He’d done this countless times over the past seven years.

I was used to it.

I closed my phone, sliced a piece of cake, and took a picture.

I posted it to social media.

I had a tradition of documenting every birthday.

This year would be no different; I wouldn’t let anyone ruin my routine.

After posting, I ate a bite. The frosting was sweet, but it tasted bitter.

Our love, I realized, was like that frosting.

Except the frosting had a turd in the middle.

After the sweetness, only the stench remained.

2.

As I tossed the untouched food in the trash, Austin called.

His voice was sharp. “What’s with the cake photo on social media?”

“Are you trying to broadcast to everyone that I didn’t celebrate your birthday?”

In previous years, my photos always featured him.

Because no matter how busy he was, he’d always come.

Except this year.

“I wasn’t.”

My voice was flat.

“Don’t play coy. I know you’re upset I wasn’t there.”

His voice was laced with annoyance.

“I told you, I had a last-minute work emergency, and I sent you the money, so don’t make a fuss.”

“Okay, I’m busy. Bye.”

The call ended with a beep.

I laughed, a self-deprecating sound. I’d been foolishly hoping he’d change his mind.

A love gone sour could never be restored.

3.

Austin didn’t come home that night.

Yuki’s social media posts kept me updated on their activities.

It was Yuki’s promotion party; Austin had taken her to karaoke and a fancy restaurant.

The difference between love and indifference was stark.

Saying I wasn’t heartbroken would be a lie.

But I wouldn’t scream and fight like I used to.

I was just tired.

I started packing.

Even though it was the master bedroom, our bedroom, he rarely slept there anymore.

He’d been home only a handful of times in the last month.

He always said he was working late, but I knew he was with Yuki.

I wasn’t stupid; I could see his disinterest.

Once, I went to the hospital to find him, to see what he was doing.

I found him in his office, heads together with Yuki watching a movie.

Yuki secretly kissed him; he blushed and said, “We can’t do that, I have a girlfriend.”

But when Yuki said, “What’s the harm? Having a girlfriend just makes sneaking around more exciting,”

He couldn’t resist and kissed her back.

From that moment on, he was hooked on the thrill, each time going further.

4.

By midnight, Austin still hadn’t returned.

I sighed and took off my engagement ring, placing it on the dresser.

We’d been together for seven years.

During his darkest days, when his parents died leaving him in crippling debt, he’d even contemplated suicide.

I was the one who pulled him through, who supported him.

I worked hard to pay off his debts. We slowly fell in love; he confessed his feelings and vowed to spend his life with me.

After we got together, I did everything for him.

I bought him quality goods, expensive clothes.

I scrimped and saved, not even allowing myself a two-dollar bottle of water.

I practically gave him my heart.

And now that he was a successful doctor, earning a million a year, he’d betrayed me.

The next morning, Austin posted a picture of a sunrise on social media.

The caption read: “Beautiful sunrise today.”

Below, Yuki’s post featured a similar sunrise, but with Austin’s back in the photo.

“No sunrise is as beautiful as you.”

I scoffed.

They really were a happy couple.

I grabbed my suitcase, ready to leave, but hesitated at the door.

I couldn’t resist one last look at him, a final goodbye.

5.

I bought Austin breakfast.

It was the last time I’d ever bring him breakfast.

I used to bring it to him frequently, but he’d eventually asked me to stop.

I hadn’t understood why then, but now I knew. He’d been afraid I’d discover him with Yuki.

Midway, a conversation between nurses stopped me in my tracks.

“Hey, did you hear? Dr. Xu and Yuki checked into a hotel yesterday.”

“What’s so surprising? They’re practically official.”

“Why?”

“Haven’t you seen how they are? Sharing drinks, eating the same apple…Yuki calls him ‘A-qiu’.”

So, unbeknownst to me, they’d been doing all this behind my back.

We had argued about Yuki before.

He’d once come home drunk, with Yuki having brought him back.

I’d been furious; he’d explained, “You’re always suspicious! Yuki’s just my apprentice, fresh out of school. She helped me because I’m her mentor. She’s not like you.”

He was constantly comparing us.

Yuki was perfect; I was flawed in everything I did.

I walked away without listening to the nurses anymore.

This was the last time I’d see Austin. After this, we were done.

As I reached his office, I was halted by sounds from inside.

“Hahaha, stop tickling me, you’re killing me!”

“Yuki, you’re so ticklish. Why didn’t you say anything when I touched you last night?”

“You bad man, I was too busy enjoying it!”

Through the crack, I saw only Austin and Yuki.

Yuki was sitting on his lap, and he had a big smile on his face.

It had been a long time since I’d seen him smile at me like that.

Now that I saw it, it made me sick.

Even though I’d suspected their affair, hearing it confirmed was nauseating.

I suddenly didn’t want to give him the breakfast anymore.

I turned to leave, accidentally dropping my keys.

“Who’s there?”

Austin called out, peering through the crack.

Our eyes met.

His eyes instantly filled with panic; he pushed Yuki off his lap.

6.

“Let me explain.”

Austin rushed out and pulled me into the office.

I smelled alcohol; a bottle of wine and two glasses sat on his desk.

Some wine remained.

They had the leisure to drink and flirt on the job.

“It’s not what you think, Yuki and I were just playing around.”

“You know she’s young, still learning boundaries.”

Austin kept trying to explain.

Yuki chimed in, “Yes, Mia, don’t misunderstand. Nothing happened between Austin and me.”

“We always act like this, it’s all playful.”

I looked at her; she implied that they were often intimate.

She thought this would get a reaction from me.

But she was wrong, I was over Austin. I didn’t care anymore.

“Okay.”

“I’m not angry.”

My tone was even.

His eyes widened, disbelief in them.

Even Yuki looked shocked.

“You… you’re not mad?”

Austin stared at me.

“Why would I be? You already explained.”

He visibly relaxed.

“That’s good.”

“I’ll be home tonight. Make me dinner.”

Whenever he did something wrong, he’d come home and have dinner with me, as if trying to ease his guilt.

I caught a glimpse of anger flash across Yuki’s face. She quickly smiled, “Mia, it’s your birthday, you must have been lonely. Come to my place for dinner, I’ve got you a gift.”

7.

Yuki was watching Austin’s reaction.

As expected, he jumped in, “Yuki, that’s thoughtful. You got her a gift.”

“Mia, let’s go to Yuki’s place for dinner. She’s a great cook.”

He quickly added, “She brings her lunch every day, I tried it once, it’s really good.”

“Yes, yes, Mia, you have to come. I’ll leave work early to cook. You’ll love it!”

Yuki looked at me triumphantly.

I knew her plan.

“Okay, I’ll go.”

She looked surprised.

She’d invited me before, but I always refused, upset.

I didn’t consider her close, so why would I go to her house for dinner?

But I was over it now. I was leaving tomorrow and didn’t want to fight with Austin.

8.

After Yuki left for work, Austin took the day off too.

He bought me a watch, a $50 one.

“It’s a birthday gift. I meant to get it for you yesterday, but I was too busy.”

I looked at the watch, remembering Yuki’s social media post showing her $5000 watch.

Austin was always generous with her.

The irony was thick, but I thanked him anyway.

Soon, I’d be gone, free from his face.

At Yuki’s apartment, I saw a pair of matching slippers by the door, blue and pink.

Austin automatically put on the blue ones.

Seeing me staring, he quickly took them off.

“I thought they were mine, my bad.”

I said nothing, put on a new pair and walked inside.

Yuki’s apartment was beautiful, newly decorated.

“Mia, welcome! I just bought this place this year.”

“Austin helped me, it was a cash purchase, one hundred and fifty thousand.”

Yuki emerged from the kitchen.

Austin’s face paled.

“Oh, that was during the May Day holiday, I had some time off so I went with her.”

He really was free that May Day. But that day, I’d noticed a $150,000 transfer from his bank account.

I’d asked him about it; he said it was a loan to a friend who’d repay it soon.

I’d believed him, never questioned it further.

I trusted him.

But now I understood.

At dinner, Yuki brought the trash can next to me.

“Mia, use this for the bones.”

I saw a used condom and a wrapper, strawberry flavored.

“Oh, that’s from me and my boyfriend. Sorry, I forgot to clean it up.”

Yuki looked embarrassed but her eyes gleamed with triumph.

She was showing me: Your boyfriend is mine now.

Austin was completely disgusting to me at that moment.

Austin was clearly uneasy; he coughed to make us eat.

My phone buzzed.

A text from my boss.

“You’re really coming to America? Great! I’ve already rented an apartment for you.”

“What does this mean?”

Austin snatched my phone, his face unreadable.