Chapter 5

"Table for two, this way please," the waitress smiled warmly.

"Three," Hudson corrected.

The waitress looked behind them, her eyes finally landing on me. She apologized awkwardly.

It was Fiona's birthday dinner, and Hudson had booked a high-end Japanese restaurant.

Fiona held Hudson's arm as they walked in.

I walked behind them with my head down, looking like an unwanted shadow.

After sitting down, Hudson handed the menu to Fiona.

"Order whatever you like."

Fiona pointed at the menu. "The premium sashimi platter, Wagyu sukiyaki, and eel rice."

Hudson finally looked at me. "What do you want?"

"A bowl of simple green tea rice."

Hudson frowned. "That's it?"

"Yes." I didn't elaborate.

Halfway through the dinner, Hudson put down his utensils and pulled a velvet box from his pocket.

"Happy birthday, Fiona."

Fiona gasped, covering her mouth. "Oh my god! It's beautiful!"

It was a diamond necklace.

I watched the scene quietly.

A month ago, it was my birthday. Hudson forgot.

I didn't remind him.

He only remembered three days later. He Venmoed me some money with the note [Belated birthday gift].

I didn't accept the money, and he never asked about it again.

Fiona touched the necklace, smiling at me.

"Angie, you're so lucky. Hudson is always so thoughtful. I'm so touched."

I raised my teacup. "Happy birthday."

My phone buzzed. It was an email from Albert.

[Your visa has been approved. Departure in three weeks.]

I read the email and locked my screen.

Looking up, I saw Hudson gently wiping a smudge of sauce from the corner of Fiona's mouth with a napkin.

In this relationship, I was like a piece of luggage forgotten in a corner.

The owner walked past it every day, never looking at it, but always assuming it would be there forever.

I set down my cup. My voice was calm. "Hudson."

He looked at me. I met his eyes.

He used to look at me with the exact same eyes three years ago, filled with warmth.

But now, that warmth had moved out.

"Let's break up."

The air froze for two seconds.

Fiona's fork clattered loudly onto her plate.

Hudson's expression shifted from confusion to offended rage.

"What did you say?"

"Let's break up," I repeated.

He let out a cold laugh. "Are you seriously picking today of all days to start a fight?"

"I'm not fighting." I stood up and grabbed my coat. "I'm moving to Finland next month. It's a three-year transfer."

"We are done."

Hudson stood up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Angie, have you lost your mind? Throwing away three years of our relationship just like that?"

"Three years?"

I looked back at him, my voice barely a whisper.

"In these three years, count how many times you've replied to me with just 'Okay'. Go check our chat history."

I turned toward the door. Hudson's voice roared behind me.

"Angie, stop right there!"

"Angie!"

Fiona grabbed Hudson's arm, her eyes red. "Hudson, don't yell at her. Maybe she's just emotional right now..."

I pushed open the restaurant door, and the winter wind rushed over me.

My phone buzzed. A text from Hudson: [Come back. We need to talk.]

I didn't reply.

I hailed a cab and gave the driver the hospital's address.

"Going to the ER, kiddo?" the driver asked.

"Yeah."

My stomach was screaming in pain again. But my heart felt absolutely nothing.