The Six-Digit Password He Kept For Ten Years

For ten years, Caleb Whitmans phone password had been the same six digits.

Not just his phone.

His bank cards, laptop login, and the safe at home all used that same string of numbers.

I once asked him why.

Randomly punched it in back in college, he said. Got used to it. Too lazy to change it.

I nodded and didnt think much of it.

Until I went with him to a gathering with his childhood friends, and a girl arrived late.

Everyone immediately started teasing her.

Lena flew back from overseas just for Calebs wedding, right?

Back then, we all thought you two would end up together.

Lena smiled and gave the person a playful glare.

Caleb, youre awful. You even deleted me on WhatsApp. Add me back right now.

Then she naturally took his phone and entered that string of numbers.

The screen unlocked.

My college entrance exam ID ended in those digits. I cant believe you still remember.

So the password he had used for ten years was never about convenience.

It was a devotion he had never let go of.

And I had never truly been part of it.

Caleb, I just got back. Your downtown apartment is empty anyway. Can I stay there for a few days?

Lena raised her glass and looked at him.

I froze.

That downtown apartment was our future home.

Caleb frowned and set down his fork.

No. Thats where Ava and I will live after the wedding.

A few old friends at the table laughed.

Caleb the wife-protector. Hopeless.

Lena, dont get any ideas. Hes a taken man now.

Calebs face stayed blank.

That was how he looked when he was unhappy.

He placed peeled crab meat into my bowl.

I looked down but did not pick up my fork.

He knew I was allergic to crab.

In our second year together, I accidentally ate crab meat and swelled up like a balloon.

When he carried me into the ER, his hands were shaking.

After that, he became extremely careful about what I ate.

Why arent you eating?

I picked up my fork and pushed the crab to the edge of the plate.

No appetite.

When the gathering ended, rain had started outside.

The steps in front of the restaurant were slick with water.

Careful. The steps are slippery.

Caleb reached out to me.

Just as I was about to place my hand in his, a cry came from beside us.

Ah!

Lena staggered.

Calebs hand pulled back instantly.

Without support, my foot slipped. The back of my hand hit the stone pillar beside me hard.

Blood immediately welled up.

I turned my head.

Caleb was staring at Lena.

I think I twisted my ankle, she said softly.

Caleb frowned, then turned back to help me.

Ava, why are you so careless?

Caleb, can you take me home? I really cant walk by myself.

Lena bit her lip, her eyes red.

Caleb was silent for a moment.

Thats not convenient.

On the way home, he held my hand the whole time.

After we got back, he found the first-aid kit.

Does it still hurt? He looked up at me and smiled.

See? You really cant manage without me.

I said nothing.

He hugged me from behind, resting his chin on the top of my head.

Are you jealous? he laughed softly. Dont listen to them. Lena and I are long over. Youre the only one in my heart now.

Then he got up and went into the bedroom.

His phone vibrated.

I unlocked the screen.

Ten minutes ago, Lena had posted an update.

The photo showed a rainy night street through a car window.

Caption:

Thanks to someone for arranging a late-night escort.

In the windows reflection, the drivers silhouette was visible.

Calebs personal assistant.

I placed the phone face-down on the table.

Caleb came out holding a stack of wedding design booklets.

You like white lisianthus, so well make that the main flower for the wedding.

I looked up at him.

In truth, I had clearly said long ago that my favorite flower was a passionate red rose.

But on every anniversary and holiday, he always sent me cold, pale white lisianthus.

I thought it was just his bad taste as a straight man.

Until I saw Lenas profile picture.

A single white lisianthus.

So he had not forgotten what I liked.

His devotion, like that phone password, had always belonged to someone else.

Its Lena who likes white lisianthus, isnt it? My voice was calm.

His face darkened.

Why are you so suspicious now? Can you not start acting unreasonable when were supposed to be getting married?

I laughed.

Unreasonable? What about the six-digit password youve used for ten years? Is that unreasonable too?

Panic flickered in his eyes.

But the next moment, shame turned to anger.

I told you, it was just an old habit. If you dont like it, I can change all of them. Stop talking like that.

Caleb quickly realized his tone had been harsh and pulled me into his arms.

Ava, stop it. Youre just anxious before the wedding. Dont overthink.

Late that night, after he fell asleep, I opened Lenas new post.

The room in the photo had a layout I knew too well.

She was wearing pajamas, lying on a bed I recognized.

Caption:

Youre exactly like before. Tough mouth, soft heart.

The next morning, there was a paper bag on the dining table.

Inside was a new designer bag from the current season, along with a note.

Yesterday was my fault. My apology. Caleb.

I picked up the bag. When my fingers brushed the inner pocket, they touched a stiff piece of paper.

A receipt.

Purchase record: same handbag, two units.

Suddenly, I found it almost funny.

He no longer even bothered to put effort into deceiving me.

That afternoon, I drove to the future apartment anyway.

I entered the usual password at the smart lock.

Incorrect password.

I tried several more times.

Still wrong.

My fingers hovered for a long time.

Then I entered those six digits.

The door opened.

My fingertips trembled.

That password was like a silent slap across my face.

The entryway light was on. Voices came from the living room.

I walked in and saw Lena sitting on the sofa, holding a design booklet.

Caleb stood beside her.

They were very close, their heads almost touching.

At the sound of the door, Caleb looked up.

There was a flash of panic on his face.

Ava. Why are you here?

I walked in, my gaze sweeping over the living room.

The vintage wallpaper that had covered the walls was gone.

It had been stripped clean. Torn scraps still littered the floor.

I had spent three months choosing that pattern. Imported cotton-linen texture.

Back then, to help me buy that exact batch, Caleb had personally flown overseas to find the manufacturer.

When they refused because the craftsmanship was too complicated, he waited in their office for an entire day.

At the time, he held me and said, As long as you like it, its worth any trouble.

I once thought that was love.

I had cried from happiness.

But now that wallpaper was ripped to pieces.

Just like the love and tenderness I thought I had received.

Lena closed the booklet.

Ava, the color you chose was too depressing.

She stood.

I changed it to something warmer. It suits you two better. You wont blame me, right?

I looked at the mess on the floor, then at Caleb.

Lena majored in interior design. Her taste is better.

Taste? I let out a small laugh.

Her taste means destroying a clients belongings without permission?

Lenas lips curved faintly.

Ava, I graduated with honors from a British art college and won a top Red Dot Design Award.

In my opinion, your previous decorating style was a little small-minded.

Im doing this for Calebs sake too. With his status, he socializes with prominent people. His home cant look low-class.

Plenty of people would pay a fortune for my advice. You should be thanking me for elevating the place.

I looked at Caleb.

You knew how much I loved that design. You also said every inch of our home would follow my preferences.

Guilt flashed in Calebs eyes.

Enough, Ava. Lena meant well. If you really liked it that much, Ill have another batch ordered later.

Caleb, Lena sighed, apparently not everyone understands refined taste.

Its fine. Since Ava cares so much about the money, I can personally compensate her.

Then compensate me, I cut in.

The wallpaper, labor included, cost one hundred and twenty thousand. Pay the original amount.

Calebs face darkened.

He stepped forward.

I already said Ill pay to air-freight new materials over.

Ava, dont be so aggressive. Dont embarrass people.

This is my home, I snapped. Why does she get to do whatever she wants?

Caleb frowned.

I bought this apartment.

I froze.

Something inside me seemed to shatter completely.

Five years ago, he placed the keys in my palm.

Ava, everything I have is yours. For the rest of my life, Ill shelter only you from the storm.

At the time, I thought I had the whole world.

I forgot that promises expire.

He could build me a city with his own hands.

And for someone else, tear it down into ruins.

I lowered my head and turned toward the door.

Caleb did not follow.

Before the elevator doors closed, I heard Lena cry out from inside.

The paper cut my hand.

Why are you so careless? Let me see.

I looked at myself in the elevator mirror.

The wound on the back of my hand had not even scabbed over yet.

Last night, he said he would treat it when we got home.

In the end, I washed the blood away myself with tap water.

Back at my current place, I pulled out my suitcase.

There werent many clothes left in my closet.

Caleb had said we would move into the new apartment after the wedding, so I had happily moved most of my things there already.

Now that I thought about it, that place was never my destination.

I found an old jacket Caleb had given me. In its pocket was a concert ticket stub.

Ten years ago, he stood in line for forty minutes to buy the last-row seats.

After the concert, it rained. He put his jacket over my head and ended up getting sick himself.

But even then, his phone password had already been those six digits.

I packed my documents, photos, laptop, and a few old books into the suitcase.

Inside one of the books was a white lisianthus card.

The handwriting had faded a little.

Ava, Ill send you white lisianthus every year from now on.

I threw the card into the trash.

My phone rang.

Caleb sent a row of photos.

Gift boxes, liquor, supplements. All arranged in the trunk.

Then he called.

Ava, Ill be on time for tonights family engagement dinner. Dont let your parents wait.

Yesterday was my fault. I shouldnt have spoken like that.

I looked at my half-open suitcase and gave a quiet hum.

At eight that night, the private room at the old restaurant was full of relatives.

My parents had arrived half an hour early.

My father wore a newly bought suit. My mother had pinned her hair up.

The food on the table cooled twice and was reheated twice.

But Caleb never came.

I called him again and again.

No service.

I asked his assistant. I asked his childhood friends.

No one knew where he was.

I began to worry about his safety.

At nine-thirty, Caleb finally called back.

Ava, Im sorry. My car broke down on the highway. Im waiting for roadside assistance. Apologize to your parents for me.

I closed my eyes.

As long as youre safe.

I was about to return to the private room when my cousin stood at the end of the hall and handed me her phone.

Liv, look at this.

On the screen was a livestream from a popular night market.

The camera panned across the crowd in line.

Caleb stood in the queue, holding two number slips.

Lena stood beside him, standing on tiptoe to look at the souffl stall.

The streamer laughed and said this limited dessert required a ninety-minute wait.

The image was crystal clear.

No highway.

No breakdown.

No tow truck.

I had never seen Caleb stand in line like that for anything.

In ten years together, the longest he had ever queued with me was forty minutes for the concert ticket I wanted.

He said he hated crowded places.

Now he stood patiently in a noisy night market, waiting for a souffl.

He made my parents wait for two hours just to buy dessert with her.

I handed the phone back to my cousin.

Then I paid the bill and saw every elder into a cab one by one.

My mother held my hand.

She opened her mouth, but said nothing.

After everyone left, I stood alone in front of the restaurant.

The night wind blew over, cold against my skin.

My eyes ached. Tears suddenly dropped onto the back of my hand.

I wiped them away.

All at once, I accepted it.

Some devotion and effort were nothing more than a lie I had told myself.

Some things had belonged to someone else from the very beginning.

No matter how hard I held on, they were never meant for me.

I took out my phone and called the project lead in Southport.

Ms. Reed, that overseas placement you mentioned last time. Ill take it.

She sounded surprised.

Didnt you say your wedding was coming up and it wasnt convenient to leave?

Its convenient now.

The next morning, when I left home, Caleb was waiting at the door.

He held a huge bouquet of lush red roses.

When he saw the suitcase beside me, his pupils shrank.

Ava, Im really sorry about last night.

My car suddenly stalled on the highway. That stretch had terrible signal, and my phone died. I waited on the roadside for help half the night.

Listening to his easy lie, my stomach churned with disgust.

He grabbed my wrist.

Ava, I know you were hurt. Today I canceled all my meetings. Im taking you somewhere. Consider it my apology.

The drive took forty minutes.

We stopped in front of an independent restaurant I often liked.

The entire building had been booked. A sign on the glass door read: Private Event.

Caleb held my hand and led me inside.

The dining room was dimly lit. Warm golden light fell over rows of photographs.

The photos lined the walls from our university days to now.

Us in front of the library.

Him placing my graduation cap on my head.

Birthday candle photos from every year.

Music began to play.

Caleb dropped to one knee and slowly opened a deep-blue velvet box.

Ava.

Ive made you wait ten years. From today on, my world will only have you in it. Ava, will you marry me?

Bitterness spread through my chest.

I had hinted countless times that I wanted a proper proposal.

Before, he always frowned and said, Ava, were practically an old married couple. Why bother with empty rituals?

Now that I no longer needed it, it appeared.

Friends and childhood companions who had been hiding in the shadows stepped out one by one, clapping loudly.

Say yes! Say yes!

I looked at the ring.

It was only a few inches from my fingers.

Just then, Calebs phone rang.

The special ringtone was exactly the same as the proposal music playing in the room.

So this was connected to Lena too.

Calebs face turned deathly white.

He took out his phone.

I spoke calmly.

Answer it.

He hesitated, then pressed speaker.

Lenas crying voice came through.

Caleb the power in my apartment went out its so dark. Im scared I think someone is knocking at my door

His face changed instantly.

He stood abruptly.

Then he shoved the diamond ring carelessly into my hand.

Ava, I

Lena has claustrophobia. I have to go right now.

I stood still.

If you walk out that door, I said, we are over for good.

Caleb paused, then turned back. His face was full of anger.

Ava, can you stop being so selfish? Shes really sick. This could be life or death.

Wait here for half an hour. Ill come right back.

He did not wait for my answer.

He turned and rushed out.

The room fell into dead silence.

I lowered my head and looked at the ring in my hand.

Beside me was a champagne tower. The top glass was still empty.

I dropped the ring into it.

With a sharp crash, the champagne tower collapsed.

I picked up the microphone from the floor.

Sorry for the show, everyone. This proposal is canceled.

At the door, I paused.

I slid the plain band off my ring finger.

It had been there for five years.

It was old now, the edges polished bright by wear.

He had bought it when his startup first succeeded.

I loosened my fingers.

The ring fell to the floor.

I hailed a cab.

To the airport.

In the waiting area, I opened my phone.

One by one, I deleted and blocked Calebs WhatsApp, phone number, and every other contact.

The boarding announcement began.

I turned off my phone and walked toward the gate.

When the plane landed in Southport, my phone began vibrating wildly in my palm.