Chapter 2

After Andrew left, I tossed the pair of earrings he gave me into the trash.

Just then, a card slipped out of the gift box. It read, "Lucy, no one suits this sapphire necklace other than you. You're literally the Moon Goddess."

Necklace?

As realization dawned on me, I immediately went to Lucy's social media profile.

Her latest post was a picture of a sapphire necklace with the caption, "A gift from him. Thanks! A pair of earrings was also given to me for free, but it was horrendous, so I didn't take it."

So it turned out that it was just a free gift.

My gaze landed on the pair of earrings in the trash.

I couldn't believe that Andrew actually gave me such a perfunctory gift. He didn't even bother switching out the gift card!

Just as I shut my eyes, my phone suddenly buzzed.

It was an email from Lupin Airlines, informing me that my flight to Wolfen Kingdom in a week had been successfully booked.

I knew it was time to end things once and for all.

I had recently been busy packing, handling my resignation, and saying goodbye to my closest friends. Yet, I still had to find time to check Andrew's messages.

He was always busy with work, so he didn't contact me often. But he kept up the habit of sending daily updates about what he was doing, how much he missed me, the scenery he saw, and the annoying coworkers he had to deal with.

Even while pursuing Lucy, he never stopped texting me.

"Just had dinner with Lucy at Lunadow, but I couldn't stop thinking about how you once played 'Lune Sonata' for me here.

"I bought her your favorite dessert, but she didn't seem to like it.

"I saw her, but I wasn't as nervous as I thought I'd be."

His messages came one after another, but I didn't reply to a single one. I was too busy for that. I had way too much luggage that I had to arrange for inter-pack shipping.

After paying the shipping fees, I finally had time to check his messages.

"Why aren't you replying?

"I'm home. Where are you?

"Why are some of your things missing? Why did the airline send you a letter? The hospital said you didn't show up for work today!"

One message after another popped up nonstop, and I could practically picture Andrew growing more and more frantic.

I'd arranged for the rest of my luggage to be shipped, but my carry-on suitcase was still at home.

As much as I didn't want to see him again, I had to go back for it.

I rang the doorbell. To my surprise, it was Lucy who answered.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

I thought Andrew might've at least waited a little out of respect, but the moment I moved out, it seemed that he couldn't wait to bring her in.

Wearing pajamas and acting like the lady of the house, Lucy replied smugly, "Andrew invited me to move in, of course! Your bed's super comfy, by the way. But I didn't like those herbs you planted, so he tore them all out."

Those herbs were incredibly rare. Barely anyone in the entire pack could cultivate them.

Since I couldn't take them with me, I left them for Andrew, thinking he'd appreciate them. But just to please Lucy, he'd ripped them all out.

I tried to maintain my composure as I said, "I'm just here for my suitcase."

Only then did Lucy step aside to let me in, trailing behind me and warning, "Andrew has always loved me. You were nothing but a distraction for him. Now that I'm back, you'd better know your place and stay far away."

I grabbed my suitcase and headed out, but then ran into Andrew in the kitchen. He was putting away the groceries in the fridge.

A steak was sizzling in the pan, and Andrew stood in front of it, wearing an apron.

That was exactly when I understood the difference between being loved and not being loved.

In the past five years of us being together, he'd never once cooked for me.

He gave me a diffident look and sputtered, "I'm sorry… Lucy and I were talking about the past last night, and she got drunk. That's the only reason I brought her back. Nothing happened between us…"

I smiled before saying, "No need to explain. I said I'd give you time."

But as soon as he saw my suitcase, he panicked. "Where are you going?"

"I'm moving out to make space for you and Lucy," I replied.

Just as I walked past him, he suddenly grabbed my hand, refusing to let me leave.

"Sorry! This is all because of me." Lucy hurried out, tears streaming down her face. "It's all my fault. I'll leave."

In the next instant, Andrew released me and held her hand without hesitation.

I looked at him and watched him wipe the tears gently off her face as he crooned, "Don't cry, sweetheart. You don't have to leave. This is my place, after all. Stay as long as you like!"

Nothing stirred within me. At that point, my feelings for him had all died.