Chapter 2

The next morning, I started packing.

Three years of my life ended up fitting into just two suitcases.

I had just zipped the last bag shut when the front door swung open.

Carl walked in, with Miriam right at his side. The same crowd that had mocked me last night was tagging along.

They stepped inside without a hint of remorse. Instead, they gathered around my luggage to pass judgment.

"Look at that. Reyna actually packed."

"Well, you've gotta put on a full show, right? Even if those bags are empty."

"I bet she'll unpack everything by tonight."

"Tonight? That's too generous. I give her three hours."

Miriam held up a single finger. "One hour. The second Carl offers to give her this place, she won't go anywhere."

Someone gave her a thumbs-up. "Leave it to Miriam to read her mind!"

"She knows how gold diggers think because she used to play the game herself."

The group burst into laughter.

I crouched and slipped my ID and passport into the inner zipper of my suitcase.

Carl stood by the door, his expression dark. "Where are you going?"

"It's none of your business."

Miriam cut in immediately. "See that? Reyna's not answering you just to keep you on edge. If you press her, she wins."

Carl had taken a step forward, but he froze when he heard Miriam's words.

I pulled a small box from the nightstand drawer.

Inside were my access cards, the house keys, and a few gifts Carl had given me over the years.

The most expensive item was a 600-dollar necklace—a leftover party raffle prize he had tossed my way on a whim.

I pushed the box toward him. "You can have everything back."

When Carl saw the keys, his face turned grim.

But Miriam snatched them up first and dangled them in the air. "Carl, do you still not get it? She's lived here for three years, and her name isn't on the deed. She's throwing a fit because you haven't taken the hint."

The crowd traded knowing looks.

"Three years and not even a house to show for it? No wonder she's losing her patience. Carl, your charity work is falling a little short!"

"Ten houses in her hometown wouldn't even be enough to buy one bathroom in your house. Of course she's desperate."

My fingernails dug deep into my palms.

Carl knew better than anyone how much I hated people weaponizing my background.

Yet, he just stood there without saying a single word to stop them. He just stared at me. "I'll have my assistant transfer the house to you this afternoon. The place is yours. Happy now? Drop the act. There's no need to fake it. You know fake women are my biggest turnoff."

His words felt like a punch straight to my chest. "I don't want it."

His friends exchanged glances and snickered again. "Quite the appetite, huh? Turning down a whole house means she's eyeing shares in Humphry Corp."

Miriam crossed her arms. Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she said, "She's not turning it down. She just thinks it's not enough. Give her the house today, and tomorrow she'll be asking for the company."

I looked up at Carl. "You think I'm just playing hard to get for a bigger payout?"

He stayed silent.

At that moment, any lingering urge to explain myself completely died.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the wedding planner right in front of them. "Cancel the engagement party."

Carl's head snapped up. "What did you say?"

"The wedding is off. Forfeit the deposit from my account. Don't bother contacting Carl."

After hanging up, I canceled the dress order and the makeup artist.

Carl snatched up the box from the table. "Once this is off, there's no turning back."

I nodded. "Good. Then let's keep it that way."

He glared at me.

Miriam pulled at his arm. "Don't waste your breath. The bigger the scene she makes, the more terrified she is that you'll actually walk."

Carl finally turned around to leave.

When he reached the door, he threw a cold warning over his shoulder. "I'll be waiting for you to come crawling back, but I won't give you much time. You'd better think carefully about what you're doing."

Once the door clicked shut, I pulled up my phone.

The overseas transfer contract from HR had just landed in my inbox.

I signed my name and submitted it.

From this moment on, there was no turning back for either of us. And he would never get the chance to have me come back to him again.