Chapter 4

She froze for a moment, her hands still on her shoes.

After a beat, she seemed to realize something, then suddenly laughed. "What are you talking about? I've already withdrawn your transfer request. You're not going anywhere."

I was about to explain, but her tone suddenly turned cold.

"Lawrence, you were doing fine a while ago. What happened? Why are you acting up now?

"Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. Once was enough, but if you keep having trouble like this, I'm going to get fed up.

"Well, I have to admit, this time you've been convincing. You even went ahead and bought a plane ticket to fool me."

I didn't say anything more.

She didn't believe I would leave, so no matter what I said, she wouldn't believe it.

If that was the case, then there was no point in arguing.

I stayed silent, but in Jacqueline's eyes, my silence looked like guilt.

She was more convinced than ever that I was doing this on purpose.

With a cold snort, she grabbed her bag and was about to leave.

After walking a couple of steps, she suddenly seemed to remember something, stopped, and turned back to look at me.

With a resigned sigh, she said, "Lawrence, I know why you're acting like this, but I really have to go this time. I promised Eric the other day, and I can't break my word.

"Be good and stop causing trouble, okay?

"After today, I'll listen to you and cut back on my contact with him.

"By the way, you wanted to get married, right? Once all this is settled, I'll go with you to take wedding photos, and we can talk about the wedding details. How about it?"

As she spoke, she reached out and gently patted my head as if trying to calm a well-behaved puppy.

I found it a bit funny.

She said she couldn't break her promises, but for Eric, she'd canceled on me more than once, leaving me waiting by myself.

She said she'd reduce contact with Eric, but that agreement was made a long time ago. Yet, she still broke her word more than once.

Every time, her ace in the hole was taking wedding photos with me.

I kept believing her, time after time, and getting disappointed again and again.

She thought this method of controlling me, like a dog with a carrot and stick, worked perfectly for me.

But what she didn't know was it was only because I still had hope in her.

Now, after not loving her anymore, I suddenly realized how laughable all those promises had been from the very beginning.

But I didn't expose the truth. I just nodded.

"Okay."

Jacqueline was pleased, smiling brightly.

"Lawrence, it looks like you finally understand that threatening me won't get you anywhere.

"Only if we both try to understand each other can we go further together.

"Stay home and wait for me. I'm making an appointment now. Tomorrow, we'll go take wedding photos."

With that, she turned and headed downstairs.

I watched Jacqueline's back as she disappeared around the corner, then went back to my room and threw everything I didn't need into the trash can downstairs.

Soon, the room was spotless, with no trace left of my presence.

As soon as Jacqueline returned, she would discover the truth.

But she didn't.

All night long, Jacqueline sent me photos of herself with Eric and his parents. She sent pictures of the scenery and of the restaurants they went to together.

She said some of the places had great views, perfect for wedding photos.

I didn't understand what she was trying to do.

But I still went along with it.

Anyway, it was the last time.

I probably wouldn't hear from her again.

The next morning, after replying to Jacqueline and telling her to get some rest, I grabbed my suitcase and took a taxi to the airport.

Just as I was about to board the plane, I received a call from the wedding company, confirming the wedding photo shoot schedule.

It turned out Jacqueline was serious this time.

But I didn't want to do it anymore.

"I'm sorry, but the shoot is canceled."

After apologizing, I hung up.

I took one last look at the city I'd lived in for five years. This time, I didn't hesitate. I walked up the stairs to the plane.

From now on, Jacqueline and I would have no future together.

I just wondered, when she found out that she was the one left waiting this time, what kind of expression she would have.