Chapter 3

My expression remained completely flat. "Just out for a walk. Aren't you two doing the same?"

Julian’s eyes flashed with venom, though his voice instantly turned fragile.

"Ethan... I'm on my deathbed. All I wanted was to spend some quiet time with Claire before I go."

"Why are you stalking us?"

I frowned, about to speak, but Claire cut in anxiously:

"Ethan, please. Julian only has one month left. You don't need to be jealous of him! I swear I'm coming back to remarry you in thirty days."

"Just go home, okay? I'll come see you tomorrow."

The silence in my heart was absolute. I didn't even bother to defend myself.

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Because soon, I won't be here at all.

I turned and walked into the night. Claire froze, her mouth slightly open, watching my silhouette vanish into the dark without another word.

The next morning, she sent me a text:

Ethan, I'm so sorry. Julian had a sudden relapse. I'll need to stay at the hospital with him for the rest of the month.

I'll come find you the day he's discharged.

I typed a simple Okay and shut my phone off again.

One month from now, Claire, you will never see me again.

Over the next few weeks, I spent my days quietly wrapping up my affairs.

Perhaps out of lingering guilt, Claire occasionally bombarded my phone with sweet, overly affectionate texts.

Near the end of the month, she called me out of the blue, her voice bubbling with uncontainable joy:

"Ethan! It’s a miracle! Julian’s scans came back clear! The doctor said having me by his side gave him the will to beat the disease!"

"Love conquered all!"

Then, her tone grew slightly hesitant.

"The thing is... the doctor wants me to stay with him a little longer just to be safe."

"Our remarriage might have to wait a bit. But I managed to step away tonight to see you. Can I come over?"

Just as I expected. One month turned into another. And now she was "stepping away" just to grant me an audience.

Claire, if you don't love me anymore, why can't you just say it?

Why keep me dangling on your hook?

This time, I didn't say yes.

"No need. Stay with Julian. Tonight... I have plans. Come by tomorrow instead."

The naval transport ship for the Antarctic expedition was scheduled to depart tonight.

Once I boarded that vessel, I would become a ghost.

Twenty years off the grid, working on classified energy defense technology for the country.

And she would never find me.

My cold, indifferent tone ignited her temper.

"What plans could possibly be more important than seeing me?!"

"I went out of my way to get away from Julian just to be with you, and you're brushing me off—"

Without waiting for her to finish, I hung up.

I pulled on my long-neglected white lab coat, grabbed my single duffel bag, and walked out into the pouring rain.

The colossal research vessel loomed against the dark stormy waters.

HOOOOONK—!

The deep, rumbling horn echoed across the harbor.

Is this really goodbye, Claire?