Chapter 4

I walked fast, and the elevator doors slid open right as I reached them. I stepped inside.

Wayne didn't come after me.

To him, my turning and walking away was nothing but a silent protest.

He was certain that once I cooled off, I'd still be waiting for him back at that house.

Outside the hospital doors, the sunlight stung my eyes until they ached.

I took a cab back to the little apartment.

Sitting on the couch, I took out my phone and started clearing away every trace of him.

I unlinked the shared family card he'd given me.

I left the family group chat with his relatives in it.

I deleted the calendar we shared.

Then, last, I opened his profile on the messaging app.

The chat still stopped where it had half an hour ago, at his message about buying me the seafood chowder from the south side of town.

I didn't hesitate. I hit block.

His phone number went into the blocked list along with it.

When it was done, the apartment was so quiet I could hear the clock ticking.

I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.

My body was exhausted, but my mind was strangely clear.

Eight o'clock that night.

Wayne pushed open the front door of the villa.

He was carrying the famous seafood chowder from the south side of town, the box still steaming.

"Ivy, I've got the chowder."

He changed his shoes and called out as he walked in.

No answer.

The living room was dark, no lights on.

He frowned and reached over to flip the switch on the wall.

The crystal chandelier came on, lighting up an empty living room.

"Mrs. Sanchez isn't back yet?" he asked Polly as she came out of the kitchen.

Polly looked caught between things.

"Sir, after Mrs. Sanchez left this afternoon with her suitcase, she never came back."

Wayne set the chowder on the dining table, his face darkening.

He took out his phone and called me.

"We're sorry, the number you are trying to reach is on another call…"

He called several times in a row, and every time it was the same recording.

He finally understood. He'd been blocked.

He yanked his tie loose, irritated, and took the stairs two at a time, pushing open the bedroom door.

The bedroom had been tidied out.

On the vanity, the skincare I always used was gone.

In the closet, those few old clothes of mine were gone.

He walked to the bed and saw a key sitting on the nightstand.

It was the key to this villa.

Beside the key sat a velvet box.

Wayne's fingers gave an uncontrollable twitch.

He opened the box.

Inside was a pair of small lock-shaped diamond earrings.

He had once put them on my ears with his own hands, saying he'd lock me to him for the rest of my life.

They were the first gift he ever gave me, and I had treasured them beyond measure.

Now I'd given them back to him.

Wayne stared at them for a long time.

His breathing turned heavy, his chest heaving.

He finally saw it.

I really didn't want him anymore.