Chapter 2

In the end, it was my parents who stayed behind to talk to me.

"Why don't you come back with us to Elbridge?"

It wasn't the first time they'd tried to convince me to return.

I sat there, drained, and looked up to meet their hopeful eyes.

They were the founders of the largest law firm in Elbridge. It was because of them that I chose to become a lawyer in the first place.

Their plan had always been for me to grow up and train at our firm, but everything changed when I met Rachel during graduate school and followed her to Westerbay.

Rachel came from a modest background and always hated it when people mentioned wealth or privilege. So, I never told her the truth about my family. In her eyes, I was just another ordinary guy from the countryside, like her.

Over the past five years, I have progressed from a junior associate to a well-established attorney. Together, Rachel and I had won the firm's bonus award for three consecutive years. Everyone joked that we were the perfect power couple.

Life had gotten better and better. I had thought that maybe it wouldn't matter anymore, and I wanted to tell her the truth. But I never found the right moment.

As I sat there thinking, I let out a quiet sigh.

I didn't need to tell her anymore.

"Alright," I finally said. "I'll go back with you."

Their eyes immediately lit up. My father squeezed my hand, his voice full of relief.

"Good. We'll book your flight today. We're not going to let you suffer through this anymore."

After settling them in, I returned home. The apartment was as cold and empty as always.

I made a quick bowl of pasta and opened my social media feed. Right at the top was a new post from Ethan.

In the photo, he stood next to Rachel, dressed in workout gear. They looked close, like always.

"I tricked her into skipping her wedding and convinced her to play tennis with me," the caption read. "She got a little mad at first, but I promised dinner at my place and she forgave me."

The moment I read it, I felt a wave of nausea and had to cover my mouth.

I knew Rachel wouldn't be back later that night, just like always.

Fortunately, Rachel and I never got legally married. I would never have to compromise myself for her again.

The next morning, I packed my bags and went to the office to submit my resignation.

Due to my strong performance, my manager, Harrison Graham, attempted to dissuade me from it. While we were still discussing it, Rachel walked in holding a stack of case files.

I caught a glimpse of her neck. Faint red marks remained, along with that familiar citrus scent that always hung in the air after a long night.

She looked like she'd had a wild evening.

She used to hate it when I left any marks on her, saying that it looked unprofessional. Even during our most passionate moments, I held back for her. Sometimes, I'd just grab the sheets instead.

Now I realized that it wasn't that she hated the marks. She just didn't want them from me.

As she stepped in, Harrison sighed and turned to her. "Perfect timing. Maybe you can talk to your boyfriend. He's trying to quit. Did you two have a fight?"

"It has nothing to do with her," I calmly said.

"You're quitting?" she asked.

We spoke at the same time. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught her gaze on me, lips slightly pressed together.

"I knew it. You're still mad about me canceling the wedding yesterday, aren't you?"

Harrison glanced between us, then politely excused himself to give us space. As soon as the door closed, Rachel stepped forward and questioned me.

"I already told you, I only canceled because Ethan hurt his leg. Are you seriously still upset?"

I did my best to keep my voice steady and forced out a lie.

"I'm not angry. I'm just tired. I need a break. I want to travel for a while."

She crossed her arms, frowning in confusion.

"If you need a break, why not just take some paid time off? Quitting so suddenly makes it appear as though you have a problem with Ethan. He's just a young man. How is he supposed to keep working here if you leave like this?"

She didn't remember that I had already used all my paid time off—wasted them on every wedding she walked out of. But all she cared about was how Ethan would manage at the firm.

The sadness in my chest grew heavier.

I glanced at the mark on her neck again without saying a single word. She noticed and instinctively covered it. "That's just a mosquito bite. Don't overthink it."

I was a little surprised. Instead of yelling or arguing, she actually tried to explain it away. Her excuse was terrible, but if it had been before, I would've believed her.

I nodded silently.

She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that I had let it go, and smiled as she wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

"That's more like it. A real lawyer knows how to stay composed. Don't be dramatic about quitting. How about dinner at Moonlight Bistro tonight? It'll be my treat to make it up to you."

I didn't respond, and she took my silence as a sign of agreement.

I had wanted to say goodbye properly, but the urge to open up faded. I no longer felt the need to tell her that I was moving back to Elbridge.

"Rachel!" Ethan pushed the door open without knocking. Startled, Rachel immediately let go of me.

Ethan gave an awkward smile. "I'm sorry for interrupting you, but I really need your help. I don't understand this case at all."

Without hesitation, Rachel walked over to him, took the file, and gently asked what he didn't understand. Her voice was soft and patient as she did so.

Ethan stood close, leaning in while the two of them whispered to each other like I wasn't even there. It was as if a wall had gone up between us.

Then, Ethan took Rachel's hand and led her out. As he closed the door behind them, he glanced back and gave me a smug smile.

The room fell silent except for my own breathing.

A second later, the jade signet ring on my finger suddenly slipped off and fell on the floor.

Rachel had given it to me on our one-year anniversary. She said she wanted our relationship to be like that ring—complete and lasting.

Although it wasn't something a man would typically wear, I put it on every day.

I stood there quietly for a long time. Then, ignoring the pain from the sharp broken edge cutting into my hand, I picked up the pieces.

Along with the last bits of attachment I had left, I threw everything into the trash.