Chapter 3

I stood there in confusion, wondering who could have sent this.

Then, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Asher.

"I noticed you weren't feeling well in the car. Keep warm."

Inside the bag was a box of pain relievers, and a electric heating pad.

It was from Asher.

"Thank you," I texted back.

He didn't reply.

I put on the heating pad, wrapped myself in the duvet, and fell asleep. The next morning, I woke up feeling much better.

When I checked my phone, there were two text messages from Julian.

The first was from 11:00 PM last night: "Mia wanted to see a movie after I dropped her off. I'm going to watch it with her before heading back."

The second was from 7:00 AM this morning: "The movie ended too late. Checked into a hotel near her place to sleep."

I let out a cold laugh, didn't reply, and booked the earliest flight back to our branch office.

The moment I got back, I submitted my formal transfer request and started packing my things at our shared apartment.

Julian didn't show up until the third day. Seeing my suitcases packed in the living room, he finally lost his temper.

"Chloe, why have you been ignoring my texts?"

I didn't even look up. "I've been busy."

I had already shipped most of my clothes and heavy items back to Miami. Only my valuables and a few daily essentials were left.

The apartment looked incredibly empty. My indifference was clearly ticking him off.

"I already told you, there's nothing going on between Mia and me! Mr. Sterling was just joking at the dinner."

"Yeah, I know."

He choked on his words, completely caught off guard by my lack of reaction.

Only then did he realize how much of my stuff was actually gone. He grabbed my wrist. "Chloe, where is all your stuff? Why are you packing like you're leaving for good?"

"Out with the old, in with the new," I said, pulling my hand away.

If I didn't clear my space, how would Mia find room to move in?

Julian, completely missing the point, sighed. "Right, it's a new season. Time for a style upgrade, I guess."

He then puffed out his chest slightly. "By the way, Mr. Sterling mentioned there's a promotion opening up. I might be moving to the Chicago headquarters permanently."

"Oh."

"That's it? You have nothing else to say to me?"

I set down the box I was holding and looked at him. "I'm moving back to Miami, Julian."

"When?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"It's good to visit your parents," he said casually, not thinking twice about it. "I'll fly down and join you when I have some free time. Have a safe flight."

He assumed I was just going for a short vacation. He quickly walked into the study to take a phone call. Based on the cheerful, flirtatious tone of his voice, it was Mia.

I opened my phone and sent a Snapchat to Asher.

"Flying out tomorrow."

Ten minutes later, he replied: "Got it. I'll pick you up at 9:00 AM tomorrow."

I was about to text back and decline, but then I thought better of it. He was the VP. Rejecting him would be bad for my career.

"Sounds good. Thank you, Mr. Vance."

By the time I finished packing, half the apartment was completely bare. While Julian was still laughing on the phone in the study, I opened TikTok. Mia's profile popped up on my feed.

Her latest video was shot inside a dark movie theater. Two hands were tightly intertwined.

The caption read: "The best person at the best time."

The comment section was filled with sweet congratulations. I calmly tapped the heart button and liked the video.

Not even ten minutes later, Julian stormed out of the study, his face flushed with anger.

"Chloe, what is the meaning of this? Why did you like her video? We just watched a movie. It was a horror film, and she got scared, so she grabbed my hand! That's it!"

Looking at his defensive, angry face, I felt nothing but disgust.

"Why are you so angry? As your colleague, I was just showing some polite social media support."

"I..."

"Julian, I'm moving back to Miami permanently. We aren't compatible. Let's break up."

Julian's anger flared instantly. "I already told you I've been busy! Why do you have to be so unreasonable? Threatening me with a breakup over a stupid movie? It's getting pathetic, Chloe!"

"It's not a threat. I'm done."

"Fine! Whatever!"

He slammed the door and left. He didn't come home that night, and for the first time in three years, I didn't text him to beg him to come back.

The next morning, I picked up my suitcases and left my keys on the console table by the door.

Taking one last look at the empty apartment, I walked out without looking back.

Goodbye, Julian.