Chapter 4

This trip to the Highlands was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Ernest was about to turn thirty.

He posted a photo of the Grand Palace on his social media feed with the caption:

"At thirty, I want to visit the rooftop of the world and make a soul pilgrimage for myself. A shame there's no one to go with me—it feels a little lonely."

A bunch of friends liked and commented below.

I replied to him almost immediately.

"I'll go with you!"

Ernest replied in a heartbeat.

"Really? Naomi! You're the best!"

I opened the booking app right away and started looking at flights to Highland City.

In that moment, I completely forgot Neil existed.

Or rather, deep down I just assumed he wouldn't—and wouldn't dare—object.

It wasn't until I sent Ernest a screenshot of the two tickets I'd booked, meaning to "notify" Neil, that I remembered he was on a business trip out of town this week.

I sent him a message.

"Honey, next week I'm going to the Highlands with Ernest for a few days. It's his birthday."

About ten minutes later, he called.

The moment I picked up, I heard his voice, tight with suppressed anger.

"Naomi, what did you just say? Who are you going to the Highlands with?"

"Ernest, didn't I already tell you?"

I was getting a little impatient.

"The two of you, alone?"

"That's right."

"I won't allow it!"

His voice suddenly rose, harder than I'd ever heard it.

I froze for a second, and then my own temper flared.

"Neil, what right do you have to forbid me? Have you forgotten what you promised me back then?"

"That's different! That was just eating out and singing karaoke! This is going to the Highlands! For days on end! Just the two of you, a single man and a single woman—will you be staying together? What will people think? What am I supposed to think?"

His words came down like a bucket of cold water dumped over my head.

I was shaking with rage.

"Neil! How can your mind be so filthy! Ernest and I have a pure friendship! We're going to the Highlands for a pilgrimage, to purify our souls! How does that turn into something so ugly in your mouth?"

"A pure friendship? Does a pure friendship need two people to travel alone together? Naomi, stop fooling yourself!"

"I'm fooling myself? I think you're the one making a scene! Neil, let me tell you, this isn't up for discussion! I'm going to the Highlands no matter what!"

Then came the scene from the beginning.

I hung up, blocked him, and shut off my phone.

That evening, I dragged my suitcase downstairs, met up with Ernest, who was waiting there, and we headed straight for the airport.

Sitting on the plane bound for Highland City, staring out at the pitch-black night sky, I didn't feel the slightest guilt.

If anything, there was a thrill of revenge.

Neil, you forced me to do this.

You want to control me? Then I'll break free of your hold on purpose.

I want you to know that I, Naomi Fox, am not your possession.