Chapter 3

Tears blurred my vision, and my emotional outburst sent fresh waves of pain through my swollen ankle. Yet the physical agony was nothing compared to the crushing weight in my chest.

I still could hardly believe it. How had the gentle, caring Jeffrey transformed into this stranger? Had this been his true nature all along? Had I been fooled by his masterful performance these past years?

I had loved him with every fiber of my being, yet his heart had always belonged to Kira.

Fresh out of college, we'd been so poor we could barely make ends meet. We survived on bread and water, splurging on pizza only for birthdays. I remembered the modest cake he'd somehow managed to buy that day—small but meaningful.

Jeffrey had carefully placed the candles, and despite my touched expression, he'd looked devastated, apologizing repeatedly. "I'm sorry, Raelyn, you deserve better than this. I'll never forget your kindness. I promise to give you a better life."

As I looked at his youthful face then, my heart had overflowed with warmth. I'd smiled, nodded, and blown out the candles, making my wish.

What was that wish again? Ah yes—that Jeffrey would keep his promise and love me forever.

But things had changed. Now that we lived comfortably, his feelings had transformed. That man who once pledged eternal devotion with tears in his eyes was gone forever.

I roughly wiped my tears away and began packing despite the pain. Only then did I realize how little I truly owned after all these years. Perhaps fate had never meant for this place to be my real home. Everything I possessed fit into a single suitcase.

I left behind all the gifts and mementos from Jeffrey. They meant nothing to me now.

Suitcase in hand, I took one last look at what had been our home before turning away without hesitation.

I took a taxi to my parents' house. Opening the door, I found only silence within. The setting sun cast golden-orange light through the windows, bathing the space in a warm glow. Dust motes danced in the air, and a fine layer of dust covered the furniture.

Standing in the doorway, I could almost see Mom emerging from the kitchen, smiling, telling me to wash up for dinner. Just a bittersweet fantasy, of course.

I closed the door, curled up on the floor, and hugged myself tightly. After a while, a muffled sob escaped. God, I missed them so much.

As twilight faded to darkness, my phone suddenly rang. I lifted my head groggily, realizing it was now the middle of the night.

It was Jeffrey.

"Raelyn! Where the hell are you? What's with all the water on the floor? Didn't I tell you to clean that up?"

His accusations and displeasure shattered the silence. I stared into the darkness, managing a bitter smile. How absurd. He'd come home this late, hadn't even noticed my missing belongings or my departure, and his first concern was scolding me about the floor.

After my prolonged silence, he continued, "Raelyn, how could I marry someone who tried to stab me with an eyebrow razor?"

Hearing his callous words, I finally interrupted, my voice heavy with exhaustion, "Jeffrey, then don't get married. Let's break up."

Before he could respond, I hung up and blocked his number without a second thought.

The moment I hung up and blocked Jeffrey, an unprecedented sense of lightness washed over me. All those attachments I'd thought would be impossible to face or let go suddenly dissolved in seconds.