Chapter 3

After I firmly submitted my resignation to Harrison, I returned to my desk to wrap up the last of my tasks.

Gwen Yarrow, a colleague I had always gotten along with, looked visibly reluctant to see me go.

"Liam, are you really leaving?" she asked. "That means that I'll have to watch those two shameless people flirt in front of me every single day!"

I followed her gaze. Rachel was leaning over Ethan's desk, explaining a case to him. A moment later, Ethan seemed to pout after being gently scolded by her.

To cheer him up, Rachel suddenly pulled out a Rolex watch and handed it to him. Ethan immediately lit up and happily put it on.

Then, he finally looked over and met my eyes. He jumped to his feet and quickly explained, "Liam, nothing is going on between Rachel and me. This is just a regular watch!"

The room instantly grew quiet. Everyone looked between the two of us.

In our five years of dating, Rachel had never given me a single expensive gift. They all thought, just like she did, that I was from some small rural town and wouldn't know a designer brand if I saw one.

People looked at me with pity. Even Gwen, who stood beside me, muttered angrily under her breath, "You two are still together, and they're playing you like a fool!"

I placed a hand on her arm and shook my head, trying to calm her down and prevent her from causing a scene. Then, I looked back at Ethan and calmly said, "That watch looks good on you. It suits you."

He seemed surprised that I wasn't angry and quickly added, "Liam, I swear, it's just a regular watch. Please don't be upset."

But I wasn't, not even a little. I had plenty of watches like that back home in Elbridge.

Rachel frowned and got to her feet. "Liam, stop being ridiculous."

I let out a quiet sigh and shook my head again. "I'm really not upset. You all need to stop assuming things about me," I said calmly.

Rachel seemed taken aback by my composure, then scoffed under her breath. "You had better mean that."

She sat back down next to Ethan.

Gwen leaned toward me and quietly asked, "Are you just going to let them off that easily?"

I shrugged as I sorted my documents. "Yeah. I've already decided to end our relationship. I just haven't told her yet."

We had held 52 weddings and not one of them happened. I was tired.

After work, Rachel actually came over to help me pack up my things. "Let's go. I booked a table for 8:00 pm at Moonlight Bistro. We'll get there just in time."

Her eyes fell on my bare wrist, and she momentarily froze. "Where's the ring I gave you?" she asked.

"I didn't want to cause it any damage, so I left it at home," I replied smoothly.

She clearly relaxed and smiled. "You used to wear it every day. Now you're suddenly worried about keeping it safe?"

Before I could come up with a better excuse, Ethan ran over and stopped next to us. He exclaimed, "I'm ready, Rachel!"

Her attention immediately shifted to him. She nodded and told him to wait in the car.

I watched him head straight to the driver's seat and put on the safety belt.

In our five years of dating, I had never once sat in that seat. Rachel had always told me that it was for her future husband, and I could only drive her car after we were married.

When I caught Ethan's smug look, I lowered my gaze and didn't respond. I didn't feel anything anymore.

At the restaurant, Rachel and Ethan sat side by side as they ordered, not once asking what I wanted to eat.

However, I didn't mind. I propped my chin on my hand and looked out the window, quietly enjoying the view. After all, I wouldn't get to see it again after tomorrow.

When the food arrived, Rachel peeled a bowl of shrimp for me and placed it in front of me. "This place serves really good shrimp," she said, with a soft smile.

I looked up, caught off guard by her unexpected thoughtfulness.

Ethan quickly chimed in, eager to take credit."I'm the one who recommended this place to Rachel. Last time we came, she ate three full plates!"

Rachel's cheeks turned red in embarrassment. "Why would you say that in front of Liam?"

Feigned, Ethan quickly covered his mouth, then looked at me sheepishly. "Sorry, Liam. Don't let that ruin your impression of her, okay?"

The two of them started laughing and teasing each other again right in front of me.

I looked at the shrimp, suddenly losing all my appetite. I forced myself to take a bite, then pushed the bowl away. "I don't like shrimp. You eat it."

They both stopped.

Rachel hesitated, then cautiously asked, "Are you upset?"

I shook my head. "No. The shrimp's too fishy. I'm not used to the taste."

Just like the two of them, it was too much to stomach.

After dinner, Rachel drove Ethan home. He was drunk, so of course, I was the one who had to close the door behind them.

Once they left, I grabbed a taxi straight to the airport.

Back on my phone, Rachel was still messaging me, discussing plans for the next wedding. Maybe she felt guilty. She even offered to plan this one herself.

"Don't worry. This time, I'll make sure it actually happens. No one will interrupt us!"

I replied emotionlessly, "Okay."

I already knew it wouldn't happen, just like all the others.

As I was about to board the plane, she sent me one more message. It read, "Ethan's stomach is upset from drinking. I won't be coming home tonight. Take care of yourself, okay?"

I scoffed. I had already expected that.

I responded, "No problem. You can stay at his place if you want. I've moved out. We won't have anything to do with each other anymore.

"Goodbye, Rachel. I never want to see you again."

I sent the final message, then immediately blocked and deleted her number.

As the plane took off, I looked out the window at the glittering lights of Westerbay growing smaller and smaller behind me.

Somewhere across town, Rachel stood frozen in shock.