Chapter 2

Since I had decided to leave, I wanted a clean break.

I started quietly packing my things. Every item carried memories of Chloe and me, sitting quietly in the drawers, mocking the sweet happiness we once shared.

No, maybe that "happiness" was just a delusion of mine.

My eyes swept over our daily essentials, the carefully saved gifts, the movie tickets.

They recorded every single date. What used to warm my heart now felt like sharp blades slicing through my soul.

I remembered it clearly. Three months ago, I had returned home excited after a grueling multi-week international rescue mission, desperate for home and Chloe.

But when I unlocked the door, another man was lying in my bedroom.

It was Zach Cole, Chloe's first love.

My heart shattered. I could barely breathe.

And Chloe's heavily pregnant belly was a hammer that crushed whatever hope I had left.

I knew, without a doubt, that the baby wasn't mine.

"Hey, Sean! You're back! Make yourself at home!"

Zach, wearing my pajamas, greeted me like he was the actual master of the house.

Blinded by rage, I lost my mind and lunged at him.

But Chloe blocked me like a feral lioness. She grabbed a broom and slammed it hard against my back, shielding Zach with her body.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Sean?! If you lay a hand on him, I'll make your life a living hell!"

"Zach is dying! I have to give him a child! If you have something to say, say it to me, don't take it out on him!"

My heart broke completely. All my love and trust vanished in an instant.

Then, Arthur and Eleanor showed up, turning the farce into a circus.

Arthur grabbed me, his face red with anger.

"What is wrong with you? Can't you see Chloe is pregnant? You come home and immediately start acting like a maniac! If you don't care about your dignity, we do!"

Eleanor started crying.

"What did we do to deserve this? Why can't you just be sensible? Your selfishness is making things so difficult for Chloe!"

They blamed me blindly, calling me selfish and unreasonable, as if I were the one who had cheated.

I stood there, completely alone, my soul turning to ash.

Since they wanted it this way, there was no point in holding on. Without hesitation, I signed the application for the international rescue squad and began my intensive training.

Pulling myself out of the memories, I heard a knock on my door. It was Chloe.

"Since you’ve finally come to your senses, let’s talk. The baby is still newborn and needs both parents. I'm used to this master bedroom, so move your stuff out. Zach is moving in here."

I stared into her eyes, searching for even a glimpse of the woman I used to love.

Thinking I was going to refuse, Arthur shouted from the living room, "The deed to this house is in Chloe's name anyway! She can let whoever she wants live here!"

Listening to their self-righteous excuses, I felt nothing but a dead silence.

I didn't want to argue. I didn't want anything to do with her anymore.

I was exhausted. I quietly picked up my suitcase and walked toward the storage room.

The storage room was dark, damp, and smelled of dust.

I looked around at the piles of junk and discarded boxes.

I found a corner and set my suitcase down.

Sitting in that cramped, dark space, I suddenly realized this was where I belonged. No memories, no pain. Just me and the quiet darkness.

I sat on my suitcase and lit a cigarette.

Through the swirling smoke, I saw ghosts of our happy past.

From the dining room, their cheerful laughter drifted in. They were having a family dinner.

"I'm going to buy a gold longevity lock for the baby. What should we engrave on it?"

"How about 'Chloe & Zach'? After all, he is the crystallization of their love!"

"Mom, Dad, let's give him Zach's last name, Cole. He should carry Zach's family name..."

I took a deep drag of my cigarette, trying to swallow the pain and sorrow into the depths of my lungs, before blowing it all away.