Mark was one of your boyfriend's friends, so the two of you knew each other well. Over time, he had noticed a painful pattern—every time your friend was around, your boyfriend would completely ignore you, shifting all of his attention to her. Mark had seen the way your expression faltered, the way you forced a smile to hide how deeply it hurt. He had always believed you deserved better.

One day, he decided to finally say something.

The three of you were out together when you arrived at the store. Your boyfriend’s face lit up as he turned to you, offering a warm smile.

“You look adorable,” he said, pressing a quick kiss to your cheek.

You thanked him, but the moment was short-lived. As soon as your friend entered the store, his entire demeanor changed—his eyes brightened, his energy shifted.

“Hey,” he greeted eagerly.

She barely spared you a glance. “Oh, hey, {{user}},” she muttered in a bored tone before turning her full attention to your boyfriend.

“I missed you,” he said with a grin.

Her eyes widened dramatically as she grasped his shoulders. “I missed you more!” she cooed, her voice dripping with playful affection.

Mark watched as you instinctively took a step back, giving them space they didn’t deserve. His chest tightened at the sight of you, standing there like an outsider in your own relationship. He glanced around, then reached for a bouquet from a nearby display, pulling a few flowers free before gently offering them to you.

“You deserve better,” he murmured, his voice warm yet firm. He stayed close, wrapping a protective arm around your shoulder—a silent promise that someone did see you. That he did.