Chapter 1

Finn broke up with me nine times because of Nevaeh, his adopted sister.

The first time we broke up, I lost my mind and threw all his luggage out the door.

The third time, I begged him to leave his bags, terrified he would never come back.

By the eighth time, I was packing my own things in absolute silence, asking no questions.

Every single time, he would return right on schedule, and we would get back together.

Until this time, when he asked for a breakup once again for Nevaeh’s sake.

He said, "This is just to calm Nevaeh down. We’ll get back together in a month."

I just smiled and didn't reply.

He had no idea that this time, I had decided to leave for good.

And he would never find me again.

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"We’ll get back together in a month."

Finn ended our relationship with practiced ease, his voice smooth and comforting.

When I agreed, I felt absolutely nothing. I didn't even have the energy to argue.

"Chloe."

Finn frowned, clearly annoyed by my silence. He repeated himself.

"Oh. Okay."

I stopped packing my suitcase and looked back at him with a sigh.

Finn was a man of his word. Every time we broke up, he would give me an exact date for when we would get back together.

He had only lied to me once.

It was on the night we officially decided to be together. He held me close and whispered, "You're the only one I’ll ever love."

Men who talk too sweet can never be trusted.

He seemed surprised by how calm I was.

After all, during our previous breakups, I would completely lose control, crying my eyes out in front of him.

"So, I’ll pack my things and move out this time..."

Finn was still trying to find the right words, but I cut him off.

"No need. I’ll move out. I’ve already packed most of my things."

A look of utter shock flashed across his face.

The first time we broke up, I lost my mind and threw all his luggage out of the house.

The third time, I begged him to leave his bags, terrified he would never come back.

By the eighth time, I was packing my own things in absolute silence, asking no questions.

My meltdowns, my begging, my obedience.

All of it had bought me his promise to return.

Along with the inevitable breakup that followed.

Three days ago, Finn had handed me a gift.

It was a deep blue velvet box. Inside was a diamond key pendant necklace from Tiffany.

It was incredibly expensive—his usual way of buying off his guilt.

I had forced a smile, though my heart was aching.

In all our years together, Finn rarely gave me sweet moments. Every sudden gesture of affection was always a warning sign of the pain about to follow.

That night, unable to sleep, I heard him talking on the balcony.

His voice was low, but every word was crystal clear: "...I know. I’ll talk to her tomorrow... Nevaeh, please don't be like this. You know you’ll always be the most important person in my life."

It reminded me of a few nights ago when I went to a bar to pick him up. I overheard him talking to his friends:

"...I care about Chloe, but she’s strong and independent. She understands me... Nevaeh is my only family. I can’t lose her."

His friend asked, "So you still love Nevaeh, even though you're with Chloe?"

Finn was silent for a moment before replying, "Yes. I love her."

In that single second, the suffocating pain I had carried for years suddenly vanished.

It was never about his responsibility as a brother.

He was just using me as a placeholder while carefully loving another woman.

Shaking my head, I snapped out of the memory.

Under Finn’s heavy, unreadable gaze, I finished packing my bags.

As I rolled my suitcase toward the door, I was already planning my permanent escape.

Behind me, Finn spoke in a formal, reminding tone.

"Chloe. In one month, we get back together."

I didn't look back. I just waved my hand to show I heard him.

What a coincidence.

My flight out of the country was also booked for exactly one month from now.

***

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