My heart did a little flip-flop. I had no idea how much Simon had overheard.

Since I was determined to leave for good, and maybe out of respect for the 15 years he had taken me in, I should at least tell him.

I shut off my computer and put on a neutral expression. "It's me and—"

I got cut off by his phone ringing.

He rushed to the living room to take the call.

There was no point in finishing what I was saying.

Simon ended the call, grabbed his jacket, and left without another word.

I pulled out my phone, booked a flight, and sent off the wedding announcement and my goodbyes to Tracy Drake, Simon's aunt.

However, to my shock, Tracy showed up at my door in a whirlwind.

She wrapped me in a huge hug the moment she saw me.

"Yoana, why am I only hearing about you getting married three days before the big day? Simon didn't clue me in either."

Tracy had a unique job that meant she could not keep me at her place, but she made sure to invite me over every weekend. Out of the whole Drake family, she and I were the closest.

In her eyes, Simon and I were meant to be childhood friends who turned into a perfect couple.

I could not help but shake my head with a grin. "No, Aunt Tracy. He's not the one I'm marrying."

Tracy's eyes popped wide open as she asked, "What's going on?"

"I'm just tired. Looking for a fresh start," I replied, keeping my tone casual.

Tracy did not push for more. She headed into my room to pack up my clothes and suggested, "Why don't you crash at my place tonight? I'll whip up your favorite spaghetti."

I smiled and nodded.

We were just stepping out of the elevator, bags in hand.

Who would we run into but Simon and Sophia on their way back?

Sophia, with a playful squint, looped her arms around Simon's neck and planted a loud kiss on his cheek. "Simon, my head's pounding. Will you keep me company tonight?"

Simon looked at her with such a soft gaze. "Of course, of course. Don't worry, I'll make you chicken soup myself and stay right by your side all night. We're not going anywhere."

He was just as gentle as he used to be with me.

Back when Simon was getting his company off the ground, he could not handle liquor because of his gut issues. I was the one who drank for him during those business deals.

Whenever I got too tipsy, he would comfort me just like that, his eyes brimming with concern, staying up all night to make sure I was okay.

However, it was Sophia who was on the receiving end of his tender care.

They were so wrapped up in each other, they did not even notice us at first. However, then Simon saw me.

I was ready to just walk on by, but he stopped me. "Actually, it's good timing. You should find another place for the night. Sophia's had a bit too much fun with her friends, and I don't want her getting upset seeing you."

I was about to agree and move on when Tracy, who had followed me out, cut in sharply, "No need for you to send her away. Yoana's spending the night at my place!"

Simon, caught off guard by Tracy 's presence, quickly shifted from cuddling to steadying Sophia.

He greeted us, a bit flustered, and tried to explain away his guilt.

"A friend overdid it with the drinks. I couldn't just leave her out there, and I didn't want to disturb Yoana's sleep—"

Tracy's face darkened on the spot, shoving them aside as she grabbed my hand and led me out.

It was not until we got to her place that she wrapped me in a tight hug, her heart aching for me.

Then, without a word, she whipped up a warm plate of spaghetti for me.

I felt the warmth spread through me as I ate, and for the first time in ages, I slept soundly.

However, in the dead of night, Sophia sent me a photo.

There she was, in my tank top pajamas, with Simon snuggled up and sleeping like a baby in her arms.

A few texts followed.

[Yoana, Simon was just looking after me and dozed off. You're cool with that, right?]

[If it bugs you, I can wake him up now.]

I did not want to respond, but the constant buzzing of my phone got to me, so I texted her back.

[Let him be, he can keep on sleeping.]

I hit send and immediately silenced my phone.

The next morning, I marched into the office and handed in my resignation.

I was about to grab some water from the break room after a hectic morning tying up all my loose ends at work when I heard a slither of the latest office chatter.

"Did you all check out the latest post? Mr. Drake's got it bad for Ms. Green!"

"Looks like Mr. Drake's taken now. Bet someone's heart's in pieces."

"She's just an orphan under his wing. He was just being kind by taking her in. She's got nothing on his first love, Ms. Green."

I jerked my hand back as hot water splashed over it, quickly shutting off the tap.

Ten years by Simon's side, five of them as his girl, and still, to the world, I was just the orphan girl with an unrequited crush on Simon.

All because he wanted to 'keep things quiet'.

However, with Sophia's return, he was suddenly all about the grand gestures, ready to shout it from the rooftops.

It was crystal clear what love was and what it was not.

I clicked on a post and there it was, Sophia's birthday post, flaunting her new ring.

[I heard this ring's a real gem, a symbol of eternal love. Lucky me, having you this year!]

The picture showed Simon down on one knee, slipping a ring onto her finger.

That ring was my half-year labor of love, a wedding band I had designed just for her.

Simon's post was swamped with well-wishes. I hit 'like' without thinking.

Then, Simon's call hit me like a lightning bolt.

Simon sounded cautious. "Yoana, don't get it wrong, I just ran out of time to grab a birthday gift for Sophia. I'll get you something way better later on."

"Yeah, I get it. Making do isn't so bad."

I was on the verge of marrying someone else anyway. Clinging to that ring would just be a constant thorn in my side.

Simon let out a relieved breath before asking, "I caught your resignation letter. What's with the sudden exit?"

He had seen it but had been too busy to care.

I replied, "Need a break. I'm burnt out."

He did not even pause as he responded, "Good call. Quit, stay home, and chill. I'll take care of you. Dinner's at our place later."

My hand brushed over where my belly used to swell and I murmured, "Sure."

I packed up and took a cab home.

Simon, who never touched a pot or pan, had a feast laid out.

One look told me it was all spicy fried chicken. My stomach churned at the thought. I could not handle spice with my gastritis.

It was clearly not for me.

Simon caught my eye. "Sophia's not big on eating out, and it's her birthday, so I figured I'd cook. Come on, sit down with us."

"I can't eat this stuff. You guys go ahead."

I spun on my heel, heading for the sanctuary of my room.

Sophia's voice quivered as she asked, "Simon, does Yoana not like me? Maybe I should just go."

Simon looked pale and agitated. "Yoana, can you chill out? I've told you, this is for Sophia's birthday. I even whipped up dinner myself, and here you are, still steamed and bringing everyone down."

I shot back, dead serious, "I'm not making a scene. I've got a bad case of gastritis."

The same gastritis I got from all those business drinks I had to down for him.

However, Simon was not having any of my explanations. He grabbed a slice of cake and said, "Since you can't do spicy, sweet should be okay, right?"

Before I could even get a word in, Sophia chimed in, fanning the flames.

"I just wanted to share a slice of birthday happiness with you, Yoana. Didn't mean to tick you off. They say the Drakes have had your back for fifteen years. You could at least play nice for their sake, don't put Simon on the spot."

I almost laughed. Clearly, Simon was used to looking down on me, and he let his cronies use guilt trips to keep me in line.

Sure, I had been under their roof for 15 years, but any debt I owed Simon was settled long ago.

I was about to turn down the cake when a spoonful was rudely shoved into my mouth.

Simon tossed the rest of his cake into the trash with a scoff. "It's just dinner. No need to be so dramatic!"

Reluctantly, I swallowed the bite, but instantly knew something was off.

Mango sauce. I was allergic to mangoes!

It hit me like a ton of bricks. My face flared up, and I struggled to catch my breath.

Clutching my chest, I crouched down, heaving for air.

Simon, seeing me like that, started to freak out. "Yoana, what's..."

He moved to help me, but then Sophia's voice cut through, feigning distress. "Simon, help... Help me! I got all choked up because Yoana was upset."

Simon's worry for me vanished in an instant, replaced by a look of tender concern for Sophia.

He scooped up Sophia in a rush, his eyes glaring at me, filled with loathing.

"Yoana! This is all your fault, always causing a scene! Now Sophia's choking because of you. What if something serious happens to her? Can you live with that?!"

His voice was sharp with anger as he stormed out with Sophia in his arms. Just before they left, I caught Sophia's smug look.

She might as well have shouted, "See, when it's down to me or you, he'll always pick me!"

The room fell silent, leaving me alone with a pain so deep I could barely catch my breath. Frantic, I grabbed my phone and called for an ambulance.

When I came to, Simon was there, sitting by my hospital bed.

"Yoana..." he began, gripping my hand, but a nurse bustled in, cutting him off.

Once she left, he leaned in, worry etched on his face. "Is our kid okay?"

I shook my head and whispered, "I'm fine."

Simon did not need to know that I was about to leave.

He seemed to relax.

His voice was heavy with regret as he apologized, "Yoana, I'm sorry. I had no idea you were allergic to mangoes."

However, he did know. He used to remember everything about me, down to the smallest detail. Then, those memories were just gone.

I shut my eyes, not wanting to speak.

After a while, he left, called away by Sophia. Once the IV drip was done, I checked myself out and headed home alone.

It was the final day of the countdown, and I began to pack.

Opening my closet, I found all the clothes I had excitedly picked out for the baby. Clothes that were no longer needed.

I packed them up, along with some of my own things and the birthday gifts Simon had given me over the years—treasures, once upon a time.

Then, without a second thought, I dumped everything into the trash bin downstairs.

Simon returned that afternoon to an empty room, his confusion clear as day.

"Why does the house feel so empty? Where did all the baby's clothes go? The birthday gifts in the cabinet vanished too."

I set down my glass of water and fibbed with ease. "Well, we had too much stuff. It's musty and moldy in here, so I tossed it."

Simon's voice rose with irritation. "You threw out all the birthday gifts I gave you?"

Those gifts were part of a promise he made, to give me something every year. He used to pick them out with such care, but ever since Sophia came back, my gifts turned into nothing but her castoffs.

I just hummed in response.

He went to rummage through the trash, only to find it had already been taken out.

He was clearly upset. "We've kept those for over ten years. How could you just throw them away?"

To him, they were treasures. To me, they were just things. I wonder what he would do if he knew about the miscarriage, about my plans to marry someone else.

He noticed my silence.

Then, with a heavy sigh, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Yoana, I'm sorry for getting worked up. It's just stuff, right? I'll get you more later."

However, there would not be a later.

I tried to wriggle out of his hold, but he clung on tight.

"Lately, even though you're right here, I feel like you're miles away. It's making me anxious. Are you still mad at me?"

I told him I was not, my voice even.

He softened his tone. "Yoana, what do you want to do?"

I paused, then said, "Let's go see the ocean, just once."

For years, I had dreamed of watching the waves with Simon.

He looked at me, disbelief in his eyes. "Is that all?"

"Yes."

He agreed, still surprised.

The perfect time to see the ocean was at dusk. That was when Simon and I would say goodbye.

I packed up and headed to the shore to wait for Simon.

However, what I got instead was his text.

[Yoana, something came up today. I'll take you to the beach tomorrow.]

I let out a sarcastic laugh. Just as I thought.

The beach at twilight was stunning, and I soaked in the beauty of the fading sun all by myself.

Lighting a candle with my lighter, I whispered, "Happy birthday to me."

Then, I sent Simon one final text.

[We're done.]

Once I sent it, I suddenly remembered I had not tossed out some old report, but it did not really matter anymore.

That was when Sophia decided to drop the act and call me.

"Got wise at last, huh? Were you trying to make him chase you by playing games? Dream on if you think those tricks will bring Simon back. He's in my cozy bed right now. You wouldn't believe how much he missed me just a while ago."

Sophia sent me a smug photo of her and Simon cuddling in bed.

She continued, her voice rising.

"If you weren't around, Simon would've been dying to marry me. So what if I was gone for three years? He's still in love with me."

I let out a dismissive snort. "Well, enjoy your prize. He's all yours."

Sophia was livid. I could hear her grinding her teeth and the crash of her throwing things around.

After hanging up, I snapped a photo of the evening waves. Without a second thought, I headed straight for the airport.

As I boarded the plane, my phone started blowing up.