After rebirth, I no longer entangled with my girlfriend of seven years Chapter 5

We got to the restaurant and ordered. 

Then Tess had to go and stir things up. She raised her eyebrows and said, “I heard Mom’s 

く 

trying to set you up on a date. You gonna 

go?” 

Winnie’s hand jumped. 

I didn’t answer Tess. I just looked at her. 

“Yeah, I’m going. You didn’t think I was 

kidding, did you?” 

Winnie laughed, but it was strained. She said, 

“Luke, I’m not dead yet. Who said you could 

go on a date?” 

Tess looked confused. “What’s that supposed 

to mean? Why would you care if he goes on a 

date?” 

“He’s my boyfriend. Why wouldn’t I care?” 

< 

She stared at me, waiting for me to back her 

1. up. 

I didn’t say a word. 

Tess was getting pissed. “What are you talking about? I’ve never heard of you guys dating!” 

“Luke, tell me she’s lying.” 

I looked at the two of them and shook my 

head. 

“Winnie and I are not together.” 

Winnie jumped up, like I’d stabbed her. “Luke, 

I don’t care if you’re mad at me, but how can you say that?” 

< 

Tess couldn’t believe it. She tried to think 

straight. 

“Wait a second. If you guys were together, 

show me some proof! Let me see 

something!” 

Winnie froze. 

We never took any pictures. 

She didn’t like taking photos. 

One time, I took a picture of our shadows, and she made me delete it. 

When we went out, she always stayed a few feet away from me, so nobody would see us. 

When we tout 

< 

When we texted, I’d always start the 

conversation. 

We didn’t have any evidence. 

Tess rolled her eyes. 

“I know you’re good–looking and awesome, 

but are you sure you’re not imagining 

things?” 

“Winnie, you should see a doctor. This isn’t 

healthy.” 

Winnie’s eyes were red. She yelled, “Luke is 

my boyfriend! We’ve been together for seven 

years!” 

She looked at me, pleading. “Tell her, Luke! 

< 

Tell her it’s true! I’m your girlfriend!” 

I shook my head. “Winnie, please stop. You’re 

gonna embarrass yourself.” 

No matter what she said, I didn’t admit it. 

She couldn’t prove anything. 

We were the only ones who knew. 

Tess finally decided she was crazy. She didn’t 

even finish her dinner. She just left with me. 

On the way home, she warned me, “Winnie’s 

been acting weird. You should stay away from 

her.” 

I told her I would. 

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When I got home, I burned all the drawings I 

made for a wedding ring. 

Now there was no proof at all. 

The past seven years were gone. 

I told my mom I was moving back home. 

I didn’t want Winnie showing up at my door. 

My mom complained, but she helped me 

move. 

I went on that date. 

It turned out the girl was in my fraternity, and 

I used to tutor her. 

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She was sweet and pretty, just like my mom 

said. She was already attracted to me. 

But I couldn’t move on that fast. I told her I 

wasn’t ready for a relationship. 

She smiled. “That’s okay. I’ll wait.‘ 

She’d had a crush on me since college. 

I was too focused on school to notice. 

We became friends. 

Winnie didn’t give up. She kept showing up at 

my work. 

Tess saw her stalking me and lost it. She 

yelled at her. 

く 

She was with Winnie and Tess at that 

meeting. 

Tess was telling the story and eating dinner 

when she said “She was so angry, the lady 

didn’t get the contract, what is with her 

acting like this!” 

I agreed. “I have no idea what she’s thinking. There’s no way we could be together.” 

I forgot about the past and looked ahead. 

Later, I got a chance to study abroad. I didn’t 

hesitate. 

I told my girlfriend and my family. 

I booked my flight and left. 

< 

When I got off the plane, I saw my girlfriend 

waiting for me. 

I was so happy. “What are you doing here?” 

“I’m here for work. I knew you were coming 

today, so I wanted to meet you.” 

She was amazing. 

“You’re good. You even knew what time I’d 

be arriving.” 

Just then, a guy walked by with a sign. “This 

young woman has been waiting all morning. 

She’s been looking at every arrival from 

Paris.” 

The girlfriend blushed. 

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She was so cute. 

I smiled. “Thank you.” 

You give me something to look forward to. 

The girlfriend stayed with me. She showed me 

all around. 

She wrote me out directions, where I should 

go, who I should contact. 

One day, when she had time, she flew from 

her job and took me to Paris to see the sites. 

Half a year later, I knew that I loved her, and I 

told her. 

Soon after, Tess sent me a message about the good news. 

She added, “It’s a good thing you left. 

Winnie’s a mess. She didn’t get back 

together with Ethan. Instead, she found a few 

guys who look like you. She’s been getting 

drunk and crying your name. She’s gone 

crazy.” 

I didn’t say anything. 

Winnie and I were over. 

I was moving on. I wasn’t looking back.