Chapter 2

Julian threw on a pair of sweatpants and walked out, his chest bare. He stood over me, looking down with a patronizing sneer. "Satisfied now?"

I looked him dead in the eyes. "Pack your things and get out."

His brows furrowed. "Are you serious right now?"

"Leave. My. House."

I pointed to the suitcases stacked neatly by the front door. "See those? Those are all your belongings. Take them all. Don't leave a single sock behind."

My icy detachment finally cracked his arrogant facade. He let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh.

"Fine! Don't you dare come crying to me later!"

He stormed back into the room, got dressed in a fury, and slammed his way out. On his way out, he kicked one of the suitcases over.

"Throw it in the trash!" he yelled.

I ignored him. Once the front door slammed shut, I went into the bedroom. The air still smelled of cheap perfume and sweat.

I threw the windows wide open to let the cold night air in. Then, I gathered every single thing he had ever touched or brought into this house. I called a local junk-removal service on an app and offered the guy a $200 tip for a late-night pickup.

When the worker arrived, he looked at the piles of designer clothes and luxury bags in disbelief. "Are you sure you want to throw all this out, ma'am?"

"Yes. Throw it away, burn it, or donate it. I don't care."

The guy quickly hauled the bags away, terrified I would change my mind.

Next, I packed my own single suitcase, wiping down every surface to erase any DNA or fingerprints.

I looked around the empty living room and smiled. It was finally over.

I didn't sleep at all. I lay on the bare mattress, looking at the blank ceiling, feeling a strange sense of peace.

The next morning, I realized I still had a box of expensive jewelry and gifts Julian had given me over the years. I wanted a clean break. So, I grabbed the box and drove to his corporate headquarters.

But when I reached the executive floor, the receptionist blocked my way. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. Mr. Sterling gave explicit orders. He's not seeing you today."

"Is he not seeing anyone, or just me?"

The receptionist looked incredibly uncomfortable. "He... he specifically said you."

Seeing the lack of emotion on my face, she tried to soften the blow. "Mr. Sterling is in a terrible mood today. Maybe try again next week? Actually, some other woman just went up to his office a few minutes ago..."

I had been to this office a hundred times when I was with Julian. The staff all knew me. As for the woman who went up—she was probably one of his many high-society admirers. Julian was rich, handsome, and always surrounded by socialites.

In the past, my heart would have broken. But today, I simply slid the heavy velvet box across the marble counter.

"Give this to Julian. Tell him everything he ever bought me is inside. We are completely, entirely done."

The receptionist's polite smile shattered. "Evelyn, you can't be serious..."

"I am. Thank you for everything."

I patted her shoulder, turned around, and walked out of the glass building into the crisp morning air. I took a deep, free breath.

Within three hours, I sold my townhouse to a quick-cash property flipper for $300,000 below market value. I didn't care about the money. I just needed it gone.

The new owner was a contractor who brought his crew in immediately.

"Are you sure you want me to completely gut this place, ma'am?" the contractor asked, looking at the high-end light fixtures.

"Yes. Rip it all out. If a man comes looking for me here later, just tell him I'm gone."

The contractor grinned. "Got it. A clean break after a breakup. Don't worry, sweetheart. If some jerk shows up, I'll give him hell and make him cry."

I smiled and nodded. I walked out to the curb where an unmarked black SUV from the Agency was already waiting. I got in, and we drove away.