Chapter 2

After moving out of Finn’s apartment, I checked into a condo my parents had left me.

Just like during our previous breakups, Finn didn't reach out to me once.

I had only twenty days left before leaving the country.

Today, I was meeting my best friend, Joyce, at a trendy new brunch spot downtown.

She was passionately trash-talking Finn before she paused and looked at me carefully.

"I saw the photos Finn and Nevaeh posted on Instagram. They're at a winery in Napa Valley."

I remained silent. I suddenly realized that during our past breakups, I would obsessively refresh Finn and Nevaeh’s social media like a masochist.

Except for this time.

Seeing my silence, Joyce asked gently, "Are you guys broken up again?"

In our social circle, Joyce was the only one who knew about our constant cycle of breaking up and getting back together.

"Yeah. We’re done."

Joyce sighed and flooded me with comforting words.

I smiled, preparing to tell her about my plans to move abroad.

But before the words could leave my mouth, I spotted Finn standing near the restaurant entrance, waiting for a table.

"Chloe."

He called out to me instinctively.

Nevaeh was clinging to his arm, looking incredibly sweet as she greeted me.

"Chloe! What a coincidence. Are you here to see Finn?"

She really was beautiful. No wonder Finn could never let her go.

In the past, whenever we ran into each other like this, I would glare at Nevaeh as if she were my mortal enemy.

Finn shot me a intense look, instinctively stepping in front of Nevaeh to shield her.

I held Joyce back before she could start a fight and smiled.

"Just celebrating some good news with a nice lunch."

Joyce chimed in right on cue:

"Exactly! Dumping a toxic guy and finally getting appreciated by someone who actually has good taste. I'd say that's worth celebrating, wouldn't you?"

I gave Joyce a playful nudge, but deep down, I completely agreed.

Finn opened his mouth to speak, but seeing the happy banter between Joyce and me, he remained silent.

We were led to different sections of the restaurant.

Joyce whispered to me that Finn, seated across the room, kept looking in our direction.

I just hummed in response, assuming it was nothing but guilt.

"I’m so sorry, ladies," the waiter said apologetically as Joyce tried to order. "Our chef’s special slow-cooked lamb shank is sold out for the day."

The waiter added, "The last portion was reserved by that lady over there. She’s a regular, and Mr. Collins always makes sure we save the daily specials for her."

Right then, Nevaeh’s soft laughter drifted over.

I looked over and saw her naturally cutting a small piece of steak from Finn’s plate. She smiled at him and said, "Finn, yours is cooked perfectly. It's exactly how I like it."

I smiled, turned back, and ordered something else with Joyce.

Then, I pulled the Tiffany diamond necklace Finn had given me out of my bag and handed it to Joyce.

"Here, this is for you. Consider it compensation for the lamb shank you didn't get."

Just then, Finn and Nevaeh rose to leave, walking right past our table.

Finn’s eyes locked onto the sparkling diamond necklace in Joyce’s hands.

Joyce hesitated, "Chloe, this is way too expensive!..."

"Just take it," I interrupted with a wink.

"It’ll look perfect with that new dress of yours, don't you think?"

***

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