3: 3

By ten o'clock, Jeffrey still wasn't home.

A few cardboard boxes sat scattered across the living room.

Four years. I'd assumed there would be a lot to pack.

But once I actually started, I saw how little of it was mine.

More than half the closet was Jeffrey's custom suits and dress shirts.

The bathroom counter held the men's skincare he always used.

Even in the shoe cabinet, my shoes took up only a small corner at the very bottom.

I folded the few things I wore most and laid them in my suitcase.

Everything else was what Jeffrey had bought for me.

Expensive bags. Heels that never fit.

I packed it all into boxes and stacked them by the door.

The keypad lock beeped.

Jeffrey pushed the door open, carrying a faint smell of liquor.

He frowned at the boxes on the floor.

"It's the middle of the night. What are you fussing with?"

He crossed to the couch and sat down, rubbing at the space between his brows.

"Just packing up things I don't use." I ran tape across a box to seal it.

Jeffrey didn't question it.

Eyes closed, he said, "Pour me some hangover broth. My stomach's off."

I stood and went to the kitchen and poured a cup of warm water.

Before, whenever he went out drinking, I'd have the hangover broth ready ahead of time.

But tonight there was nothing.

I handed him the cup.

Jeffrey took a sip, and his frown deepened.

"Why isn't this the broth?"

"It's late. I didn't go buy the ingredients." My voice was flat.

Jeffrey opened his eyes and looked at me for a few seconds.

"Are you still angry about this morning?"

He set the cup down, caught my wrist, and pulled me down onto his lap.

"Genie just started. There's a lot she doesn't understand. As her senior and her boss, it's only right that I look out for her a little more."

"You've always been someone who sees the big picture. Don't nitpick over something this small, all right?"

I looked at his face, so close to mine.

I'd loved this face for four years, once believing that if I was only understanding enough, one day I'd finally thaw his heart.

Now I could see it. He'd given that heart to someone else.

"I'm not angry." I gently freed my hand from his and stood up.

"It's late. Go take your shower."

Jeffrey stared at his empty palm, stunned for a moment.

But he didn't press it. "I knew you'd be the sensible one."

He got up, walked to the bathroom door, then seemed to remember something.

"Oh, right. This weekend I've got a business trip to Lakeport. About three days."

"Genie's coming along. She's never traveled far, so tomorrow put together a list of things she should keep in mind for the trip and send it to her."

He seemed to think that as long as he called it work, I was obligated to accept it without a word.

"Okay." I nodded, without a moment's hesitation.

Jeffrey went into the bathroom.

I picked up my phone and opened Eugenia's work account.

I sent her a detailed travel guide for Lakeport.

I'd marked every restaurant and sight perfect for a couple to check off.

Once it was sent, I tossed the phone onto the couch.

I turned and walked out to the balcony, pushing the window open to let air in.

The truth was, I didn't like woody scents.

I liked citrus. Fresh and clean.

But Jeffrey said citrus was cheap and beneath his standing.

So over these four years, I'd even switched my body wash to the brand he chose.

I looked down at my hands.

From all the housework, the edges of my nails had gone rough.

Jeffrey had never once noticed those details.

The sound of running water stopped.

Jeffrey came out toweling his hair and saw me still standing on the balcony.

"Why aren't you in bed?" He came over and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, his warm breath spilling against the side of my neck.

"Once this stretch is over, I'll take some vacation days and bring you to see the ocean."

"No need." I calmly pushed his arms away.

"It's turning cold lately. Get some rest."

Jeffrey's arms froze in midair.

He watched me walk toward the bedroom, and something like irritation flickered in his eyes.

But he said nothing. He only closed the balcony door.

4: 4

Friday afternoon, Jeffrey left for Lakeport right on schedule.

Not long after he was gone, Eugenia updated her social media.

【First business trip ever, and I've got company. Talk about feeling safe.】

The photo was of a business-class seat on the express train.

At the edge of the frame, you could just see Jeffrey's watch.

I tapped the like button.

HR had already approved my resignation.

I set my badge and my keycard on the desk.

From the office I went back to the apartment.

I called for a courier and shipped every packed box to the place I'd just rented.

A whole section of the apartment stood empty.

I wiped down every corner of it, making sure I'd left no trace of myself behind.

At eight that night, Jeffrey called.

"Did you send the report? Genie says she couldn't find it in my inbox." There was an edge of displeasure in his voice.

"It's on the cloud drive. You know the password." I held the phone against my shoulder and packed the last coat into my suitcase.

"Right, found it." His voice softened a little.

"Have you eaten?" he asked, offhand.

"I have." I zipped the suitcase shut.

"Genie's stomach isn't handling the new place well. She's got her heart set on the crab-filled dumplings from that shop on the South Side. Go buy two boxes tomorrow and overnight them with cold-chain shipping."

He arranged it the way he'd assign a task to an employee.

That shop on the South Side had a daily limit.

To get any, you had to line up at five in the morning.

I once stood in line three hours for a single box of them, in the dead of winter, ten below.

He took one bite, complained it tasted too fishy, and threw the whole thing straight in the trash.

"Okay." I looked at the empty living room, my voice so light it carried no weight at all.

Jeffrey seemed pleased with how obedient I was.

"Good girl. I'll bring you a present when I'm back."

The call ended.

I wheeled the suitcase to the entryway.

Out of my bag I took the keys and a printed copy of the down-payment transfer record from years ago.

On it I'd written: 【Consider the down payment four years' rent. We're even.】

I set them together on the entry cabinet.

I'd paid part of the down payment on this place too, but the deed had only his name on it.

Now I didn't even want that money back.

The phone screen lit up again. A message from Jeffrey.

【Genie says those crab dumplings have to be eaten hot, so once you buy them tomorrow, just take the express train and bring them over yourself. I'll reimburse the ticket.】

I looked at the message and laughed softly.

【Jeffrey, let's break up.】

The moment I sent it, I blocked him.