Chapter 2

Wesley's POV

I stared at those three words, feeling nothing.

Right then, my boss called.

"Wesley, we need to finalize the list for the overseas assignment today. I've kept your slot open.

"I know three years sounds like a long time, but it'll be a great opportunity for you. Do you want to reconsider?"

This time, I didn't turn it down.

The application and handoff process took the entire day, including submitting paperwork, signing documents, and getting everything stamped.

Some colleagues expressed regret, while others congratulated me. A few even quietly asked if Lindsay and I had a fight.

I answered truthfully, "There was no fight. We broke up."

As the final stamp came down on the paperwork, I glanced out at the gray, overcast sky.

Between the towering skyscrapers, I could just make out the edge of Amber Estate's domed roof in the distance.

I looked away and forwarded my flight information to my friend, Eddie Dixon.

"I'm flying out in two weeks. Want to get together before I leave?"

Eddie replied instantly.

"Look who finally remembered I exist. A new snooker hall just opened at The Gilded Room. Come play a few rounds with me."

The Gilded Room was the most exclusive private club in Upper Eastborough, and it was a regular haunt for Lindsay and her crowd, too.

When I arrived, Eddie was already warming up, breaking the rack with a beautiful opening shot.

"You're here!" he remarked as he ran a hand through his hair, looking me up and down. "You look alright. I thought you'd be devastated and falling apart."

I set my bag down and picked a cue from the rack on the wall. "Sorry to disappoint."

I lined up a shot and sank a ball cleanly. Eddie let out a low whistle. "Not bad. You haven't played in ages, but you've still got it."

I chuckled. My father was the one who taught me snooker.

He always said the sport required absolute calm and focus. No matter how turbulent things were inside one's head, the hands couldn't be allowed to shake.

So I practiced relentlessly, working my way from city tournaments to state championships. I'd won so many trophies I'd lost count.

Later, Lindsay once told me that playing snooker made me seem too cold and hard-edged, so I stopped.

Just as I was leaning over, lining up a shot on the yellow ball, the automatic doors behind me slid open.

A wave of laughter and conversation spilled into the room.

"Lindsay, that bank shot you made last time was insane. When are you going to teach me?"

"Oh, please. With your skill level, it'd be a waste of her time. Besides, other than Trent, when has Lindsay ever personally taught anyone?"

The voices drew closer.

The moment I heard Lindsay's name, my hand stiffened for a fraction of a second. But I quickly executed the shot, and the yellow ball dropped into the pocket.

"Oh, look. Isn't that someone's boyfriend?"

The lazy, mocking voice belonged to the rich heir who had shoved his camera into my face at the airport earlier.

"Wait, my bad—ex-boyfriend. He says he wants to break up, but his actions tell a different story. He held out for a whole day, but the second he heard Lindsay was at The Gilded Room, he came running right over."

The sleazy taunts kept coming.

Eddie was getting mad, but I raised a hand to stop him, then lined up my next shot.

Seeing that I was ignoring them, the group only grew bolder and raised their voices even more.

"Stop pretending, Wesley Johnson. You followed us all the way here, so why're you pretending you don't see us? Lindsay's right over here. Come on over and take a seat!"

Another burst of laughter followed.

I knew Lindsay was somewhere among them.

She'd undoubtedly have that same unbothered expression as always—quiet and detached, neither smiling nor looking angry, as if none of this had anything to do with her.

But she was waiting.

She was waiting for me to do what I'd done countless times before—to walk over on my own initiative, smile and say "What a coincidence. You guys are here too?", then naturally take a seat by her side.

I would've indeed done that in the past. I couldn't stand the silent treatment, and I was terrified of losing her. I had always believed that if I was willing to give in first, everything could go back to the way it had been in the beginning.

But not anymore.

I sank the final red ball, straightened up, and handed my cue to a nearby attendant.

"Let's go," I said to Eddie.

He blinked before quickly falling into step next to me.

As I walked past Lindsay, I heard Trent let out a soft chuckle.

"Don't worry. Doesn't he do this every time? He's just mad. Give it a few days, and he'll be back."