Chapter 2

After everyone left, my parents stayed. The empty hall felt huge and quiet.

My mom put her hand over mine. "Come home to Houston with us."

They'd asked before. Many times.

I sank into the chair, tired down to my bones. I looked at them. Their eyes were full of hope, and it hurt to see.

My family runs the biggest private hospital in Houston. I became a doctor because of them. Their plan was simple: I'd finish school, train at our hospital, and take over one day.

Then I met Selene during my Ph.D. She was sharp, driven, and from a small town. She hated "trust fund doctors." So for five years, I never told her the truth. I let her think we were the same—two people who made it on our own.

And we did. I built a reputation. We won awards together. People called us the perfect pair. Telling her my secret seemed pointless. Why ruin a good thing?

Now, it didn't matter anymore.

"Alright," I said, the word flat. "I'll come home."

Relief washed over their faces. My mom's eyes got shiny. "I'll book the tickets for tomorrow," she said, squeezing my hand.

Later, I went back to the apartment. It was empty and cold. I took a shower. Then I checked my phone.

A notification lit up. Kaelen had posted a new photo.

It was him and Selene, arms around each other, smiling in front of a sunset. Selene's smile was bright and easy. A smile I never got.

The caption read: "Fiftieth escape plan. Convinced my special someone to ditch the plans. I win again. Tonight still counts, right?"

A cold laugh left my throat. I put the phone down.

I knew she wouldn't come home. History repeats itself.

At least we'd never filed the marriage paperwork. Nothing legal to break. Just five years to leave behind.

The next morning, I packed one bag. I went straight to the hospital to quit.

The Deputy Director, Robert, looked confused. "Lucas, this is sudden. Is it money? We can talk."

I was giving my reasons when the door opened.

Selene walked in with a file. She stopped when she saw me.

My eyes went to the dark mark on her neck. A hickey. I could smell expensive cologne on her—not mine. I could imagine the night clearly.

She used to hate when I left marks. Said it was unprofessional. So I was always careful. Turns out, she just didn't want my marks.

Robert glanced between us. "Selene, maybe you can talk to your fiancé. He's resigning. Did you two fight?"

"She has nothing to do with it," I said, my voice empty.

"You're quitting?" Selene asked, her face twisting in annoyance. "Is this about yesterday? Are you seriously throwing a fit?"

Robert excused himself and left.

Once we were alone, she stepped closer, her voice sharp. "I toldyou, Kaelen was hurt. He could have had a fracture. A patient comes first. You know that."

"I'm just tired," I lied. "I need a break."

"Then use your vacation days," she snapped. "If you quit like this, what will people think? They'll say you have a problem with Kaelen. How's he supposed to work here then?"

She'd forgotten. I'd used all my vacation days. On the weddings she canceled.

Her only worry was Kaelen's comfort.

Something cold and final settled in my chest.

I looked at the mark on her neck again. I didn't speak.

She noticed and covered it quickly. "It's a rash. An allergy. Don't start."

I just nodded. The old me would have wanted to believe her.

She thought it was peace. She stepped closer and hugged me from behind. "That's better. Be understanding. Just drop this resignation thing, okay? I'll make it up to you. I promise."

I breathed in. Her scent was mixed with his. "There is no later, Selene."

The door opened without a knock. Kaelen leaned in, a chart in his hand. "Am I interrupting? Sorry. I need help with a file, Dr. Selene. I'm lost."

Selene let go of me at once. "It's fine." She went to him, took the file, and started explaining, their heads close together.

Kaelen stood too close. His hand went to her waist.

She didn't move away.

They left together. Right before the door shut, Kaelen looked back at me. And smirked.

Then I was alone.

Tick.

A soft sound came from my wrist. I looked down.

The face of my watch had a crack across it. The hands had stopped.

It was the watch Selene gave me for our first anniversary. A cheap thing she saved for. She said it meant her time was mine from that day on.

Liar.

I took it off and dropped it into the trash. It landed with a clink.

I stood up, straightened my jacket, and went to find Robert. It was time to quit.

Everything was over.