Chapter 2

When I woke up, Alex was already gone.

I got up and packed my things into a suitcase.

Yesterday, Alex told me to be more understanding.

He said the engagement was just to give Serena a guarantee for her future; otherwise, she’d have no one else to rely on but him.

But what about me?

I felt like I only had Alex to rely on too.

And now, not even Alex.

Today was our five-year anniversary.

A sliver of hope I didn't even know I still held lingered in my heart. No matter what, I wanted to bring this relationship to a proper end.

So I bought a lot of groceries and cooked a feast, all Alex's favorite dishes.

Over the years, it had become a habit.

What Alex liked, what he disliked – it was all etched into my heart.

"I've cooked dinner. Are you coming back to eat?"

For the past four anniversaries, Alex had remembered.

He'd buy me flowers, all sorts of gifts.

Only today, I waited until the food grew cold, until the sun set.

Alex didn't come home, and he didn't even send me a single text.

My heart felt as thoroughly chilled as the meal on the table.

I slowly ate the food, mouthful by mouthful, but for some reason, the more I ate, the saltier it tasted.

"Izzy, your father is a bit tight on cash lately. Could you send some money over?"

As soon as I finished cleaning up the dishes, I got a call from my father.

"I don't have any money."

My father had a gambling addiction. I’d give him small amounts, but never large sums.

That would only feed his addiction, making it worse.

"What about Alex? He's so rich, tell him to give you some! I'm his father-in-law, he can't refuse me, can he?"

Listening to his utterly entitled words, my grip on the phone slowly tightened.

Every time, every single time, it was like this.

Why did no one ever think about me?

A deep sense of fatigue washed over me.

"I'm breaking up with Alex, Dad. I don't have any money, and you shouldn't gamble anymore."

"Breaking up? Are you crazy? If you break up with Alex, where will you find someone as good? You've been with him for five years, who would want you now?"

If I didn't know this man was my own father, I'd think these were words only an enemy would utter.

"He's marrying someone else. I won't give you any more money, and don't call me again."

I didn't want to talk to my father anymore.

The phone slipped weakly from my hand. I slid uncontrollably down the wall.

My sleeves were soaked with tears.

The conflicting emotions in my heart threatened to swallow me whole.

It wasn't until Alex came home.

"What are you doing sitting here?"

He asked.

I raised my hand to shield my eyes. Having been in the dark for so long, the light was somewhat blinding.

I didn't answer, unsure what to say.

Alex pulled me to my feet, then noticed the suitcase in the living room.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Packed so much? Where are you planning to go?"

I finally spoke slowly.

"To clear my head."

Alex snorted.

"If you want to clear your head, go ahead. Just remember to come back."

He was calm, completely confident I wouldn't leave him.

And why wouldn't he be? For five years, I had taken such meticulous care of Alex; this man seemed to be the sole purpose of my life.

"Izzy, don't play these 'running away' games just because you're mad at me. You know that doesn't work on me."

"I already gave your father the twenty thousand he wanted."

With that, Alex walked straight to the bedroom and lay down.

I froze, a suffocating wave of profound humiliation engulfing me.