Chapter 3

After formally submitting my resignation to David, I returned to my desk to clear out my personal effects.

Chloe Banks, the colleague set to take over my projects and my best friend at the firm, was teary-eyed upon hearing the news. "Elena, are you serious?"

"Honestly, I've had enough of watching that adulterous pair flirting right under your nose every day!"

Following her gaze, I saw Julian explaining a model to Bella in the lounge area.

Bella seemed to have been scolded for a mistake and was pouting coquettishly. To coax her, Julian pulled an exquisite velvet box from his pocket and fastened a Tiffany necklace around her neck. Bella immediately broke into a smile and kissed him on the cheek.

When Julian looked up and saw me, he stood up abruptly, looking somewhat flustered.

"Elena, Mr. Thorpe and I are just mentor and student. This is... this is a hiring bonus!" Bella explained loudly, her voice shrill enough to silence the entire office floor.

In seven years together, Julian had never given me any luxury goods. He said it was a sign of vanity. Everyone thought I was just like him, a salary earner who needed to pinch pennies, so they sympathized with me.

Chloe was trembling with rage. "A hiring bonus? Since when do interns get diamond necklaces upon hiring? You're still his fiancée, aren't you? They are treating you like a fool!"

I patted her hand, signaling her to stay calm. Then I turned to Bella, my tone flat: "The necklace is beautiful. It suits you."

Seeing that I didn't explode, Bella grew bolder: "Elena, really, it's just a normal gift. You wouldn't be that petty, would you?"

My heart was a barren wasteland. I didn't feel any anger. After all, jewelry of that caliber was weighed by the pound in my walk-in closet back in New York.

Julian walked over, his face dark. "Elena, don't make a scene at the office," he warned in a hushed voice.

I sighed and shook my head. "I'm not making a scene, and I'm not angry. You can stop with your persecution complex."

My calm demeanor caught him off guard. He scoffed coldly. "Ideally."

With that, he pulled Bella back to the sofa to continue their "lesson."

Chloe looked at me in disbelief. "You're just going to let them off like that?"

I shrugged, feeding the last document into the shredder. "Exactly. For me, he, like that project, is a closed case."

That evening, Julian uncharacteristically appeared at my desk, offering to help move my boxes.

"Let's go," he said. "I booked a table at 'Star of the Ocean' for 8 PM. If we leave now, we'll make it."

When his gaze fell on my bare wrist, he paused. "Where's the watch I gave you?"

" The strap broke. I left it at home."

He was visibly relieved, a hint of a smile appearing on his face. "You used to never take it off, even to shower. Why are you so careless now?"

Before I could conjure an excuse, Bella ran over with her bag, stopping between us. "Mr. Thorpe, I finished correcting the drawings!"

Julian's attention shifted instantly. He nodded, signaling for us to go to the parking garage together.

I watched as Bella practicedly opened the passenger door and sat inside.

For the past seven years, that seat had been exclusively mine. Julian had once said it was the throne reserved for his future wife.

Meeting Bella's provocative gaze, I simply opened the back door. At this moment, my heart was already dead.

At the restaurant, Julian and Bella sat side-by-side. They didn't even pass me a menu when ordering.

I enjoyed the peace of being forgotten, watching the Seattle nightscape outside the window. This was likely the last time I would see this city.

The food arrived quickly. To my surprise, Julian pushed a serving of seafood risotto in front of me. "The scallops here are exceptional," he said.

I looked up to see his expectant eyes. In moments like this, he actually thought he was being thoughtful.

Bella chimed in, "I recommended this place! Last time we came here after working late, Mr. Thorpe ate two portions by himself!"

Julian coughed awkwardly. "Why bring that up in front of Elena..."

Bella covered her mouth, giggling, looking at me with innocent eyes. "Sorry, Elena. I just meant to say Mr. Thorpe really loves the food here."

They exchanged a smile, a tacit understanding that formed a wall shutting me out.

I looked down at the scallops on the plate, my stomach turning. I had a mild allergy to shellfish; while not fatal, it caused severe rashes. I had told him this countless times.

"I'm not hungry. You guys eat." I pushed the plate away.

Their laughter stopped. "Are you throwing a tantrum?" Julian frowned.

I shook my head. "No. I'm allergic to scallops. You forgot." Just like your relationship—full of impurities that I’m allergic to.

After dinner, Julian insisted on driving the "afraid-of-the-dark" Bella home first, leaving me alone at the restaurant entrance to wait for an Uber.

Watching the car drive away, I called a car directly to the airport.

Julian kept messaging me on WhatsApp, already planning our next rehearsal. Perhaps out of guilt, this time he swore to rent out an entire winery.

"Trust me, Elena. This time it's real. No one will interrupt us again."

"Okay," I replied with a single word. But I knew that promise was as fragile as a bubble.

Just before boarding, he sent another message.

"A pipe burst at Bella's place, water is everywhere. I have to help her handle it, so I won't be back tonight. Go to sleep early."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. The script was always shockingly similar.

"Fine. Then stay there. I've moved out. We're done."

"Goodbye, Julian."

After sending that text, I blocked and deleted all his contact information.

As the plane pierced the clouds, I watched the dazzling lights below fade into faint specks.

On the other side of the screen, Julian stood in the flooded apartment, looking at his phone, utterly frozen.