Chapter 3

I froze for a second.

Then I smiled and shook my head. "Nothing. It's not important. Go ahead, don't keep Yvaine waiting."

Michael walked to the door, his hand already on the handle. Then he stopped.

He turned around and pulled out his phone. "You know what? Forget it. I'll have Lorenzo go fix her water pipe. I want to spend tonight with you."

He dialed a number. "Lorenzo, go to Yvaine's place. Her water pipe broke..."

I stared at him, a little surprised. "You're...not going?"

"I promised I'd spend time with you." He hung up and sat back down beside me.

Michael took my hand, his voice almost pleading. "Tonight I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here with you."

I looked at his sincere eyes. My heart felt nothing.

If this had happened a year ago, I would have been so happy. But now, I feel nothing at all.

I just nodded quietly. "Okay."

It was 11 PM when we finally went to bed.

After my shower, Michael moved closer to me. His arm slid around my waist.

"Remy..." His voice was soft in my ear. "I miss you..."

My body stiffened. I gently pushed him away. "Sorry, I'm really tired today."

He paused, then let go. "Alright. Get some rest."

We'd just laid down when that ringtone cut through the darkness again. Yvaine's special ringtone.

Michael sat up fast and grabbed his phone from the nightstand.

I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. Of course.

"Yvaine? It's so late... What?! Which bar are you at?"

Her drunk voice came through the phone. "Michael... I feel terrible... Come get me..."

Michael threw off the covers and jumped out of bed. He started grabbing clothes frantically.

"Yvaine's drunk at a bar by herself. It's too dangerous. I have to go get her."

He explained as he dressed, his words coming fast and anxious.

I said nothing. Just watched him fumble around in the dark.

He pulled on his jacket. "Go back to sleep. I'll be back soon."

"Okay. Drive safe." My voice was eerily calm.

He seemed to notice something was wrong, but Yvaine called again. He had no choice but to leave.

I lay in bed listening to his car engine start in the garage below.

This wasn't the first time. Yvaine had used "I'm drunk" or "I'm sick" as excuses to call him so many times before. And every single time, Michael would drop everything and rush to her side.

I woke up at 7 AM the next morning.

The bed beside me was cold, Michael never came home.

I checked my phone. No missed calls. No messages.

I got up calmly, washed my face, and changed into comfortable clothes.

Then I went back to packing my suitcase.

At 9 AM, I heard the lock turn. Michael walked through the door.

His face was tired, his clothes wrinkled. A strong smell of perfume clung to him.

He saw me packing my large suitcase and froze.

"Remy, are you... going on a business trip? I didn't get any notice about this."

I didn't look up. "Last-minute arrangement."

"Oh." Michael nodded and headed toward his study. "When will you be back? I'm just here to grab some project files."

Michael walked toward the door with his briefcase. Then he suddenly stopped and turned around.

"Oh, Remy, can you transfer that port project to Yvaine?"

"She needs a project to establish herself in the company..."

My hands froze mid-fold over a shirt. I looked up in disbelief.

"What?"

Michael avoided my eyes. "That port regeneration project..."

Images flashed through my mind.

Cold winter nights at the docks, negotiating with union reps until dawn.

Countless late nights alone, revising proposals, making dozens of calls to coordinate everyone's interests.

I stood up slowly and looked directly at him. "That was my project. I worked myself to the bone for it. You're just asking me to hand it over?"

My voice was shaking. Even though I knew I was leaving, I still needed to stand up for myself.

"Do you have any idea what I went through to secure that deal?!"

Michael stepped back, startled by my intensity.

"Three months, Michael! Three months of all-nighters, endless meetings, drinks I couldn't stomach!"

"I know, I know how hard you worked, but—"

Michael looked away, staring out the window. "Just this once, Remy. Please."

"You're about to be my wife. You don't need this project to prove yourself at the company."

"But Yvaine does. She just started. Everyone's watching her. She needs to prove herself..."

My heart felt like it was frozen solid.

I looked at him coldly, then nodded.

"Fine. Give her the project."

I turned back to my suitcase, refusing to look at him anymore.

Michael looked relieved. He seemed about to say something grateful.

He suddenly remembered something. He reached into his briefcase and pulled out an elegant gift box.

He handed it to me. "I almost forgot. This is for you."

I opened the box. Diamond earrings sparkled inside.

I saw the brand logo and recognized it immediately. This was the same luxury boutique from Yvaine's social media post yesterday.

So... are these Yvaine's leftovers? Or did he just buy me a pair too while he was there?

I suddenly laughed. The sound was full of mockery and sadness.

I'd never worn earrings, I didn't have pierced ears. Michael had never given me earrings before.

He'd even forgotten this about me.

But I still took the gift box. I was leaving anyway. No point arguing over something so small.

"Do you like them? I had the sales associate pick out the best style."

"Yeah. Thanks."

Michael glanced at his watch. "Consider this part of my apology."

"Oh, and today at 2 PM, I'll be waiting for you at City Hall."

"There won't be any interruptions this time, I promise. We're getting married today for sure."

He left quickly, not even waiting for my response before closing the door.

"2 PM, City Hall. Don't forget!"

I walked to the nightstand and opened the drawer. I tossed the earrings inside.

The drawer was full of jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, brooches.

All the things Michael had given me over the years to apologize.

All in styles I'd never liked. I suddenly realized: Michael had never remembered what I actually wanted.

At 10 AM, I finished packing everything. Just two suitcases.

I took one last look around the villa where I'd lived for three years.

I pulled my suitcases out the door and called a cab straight to the airport.

My flight was at 2:30. I'd arrived early.

My phone showed 2:00 PM.

I stared at the screen. No messages or calls from Michael.

I felt a ridiculous urge to laugh. Why am I still waiting for him to contact me? I'm the one leaving...

The announcement came on: "Passengers on flight to Manhattan, boarding will begin shortly..."

I stood up. My phone vibrated. Michael's message.

"Remy, I'm sorry. Yvaine just fell down the stairs and hurt her leg badly. I have to take her to the hospital."

"I might be a little late. Go to City Hall first and wait for me. I'll get there as soon as I can!"

I stared at the message, my fingers flying across the screen.

"Michael, you're not late. Because you never have to go to City Hall again."

"I've resigned and already decided to break up with you. You can be with whoever you want now."

"From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. Goodbye forever."

After I hit send, my phone screen lit up with a flood of messages from Michael.