Chapter 4

After leaving the private room, I didn't go home.

Instead, I spent the night at a nearby hotel. I couldn't bear to spend another minute in the home I'd shared with Damon for five years.

And he didn't send me a single message all night.

The next morning, after checking out, I planned to go back, pack my things, and head home.

But just before I entered the house, Yohan suddenly called. "Meredith, Mom's heart condition has flared up again. You need to come home right away..."

My breath caught. I rushed inside.

I walked straight into Damon, who was carrying Kendra's suitcase and preparing to leave.

When he saw me, he seemed relieved. As if yesterday's events were already behind us, he casually explained, "Meredith, you're back just in time. Kendra couldn't get a ticket home, so I'm not going back with you this time."

I couldn't worry about anything else. I stepped forward and grabbed his hand.

My voice trembled. "My mom's in the hospital... Can you drive me home?"

The earliest flight wasn't for another three hours. Driving on the highway was the only way to get there quickly.

"Didn't she just have a physical last month?"

I shook my head and was about to explain further when Kendra sighed beside us. "Meredith, I know you're still upset about yesterday, but there's no need to drag your family into this."

She turned to Damon, putting on an expression of reluctant surrender. "Forget it. Take her home. I'll just wait for a standby ticket."

Kendra picked up her suitcase and started to leave.

Damon hurriedly stopped her. The concern that had been on his face a moment earlier disappeared. All that remained in his eyes when he looked at me was exhaustion.

"You have so much luggage. Getting around with all those transfers to your hometown would be a hassle."

Then he turned to me. "Meredith, be reasonable. I've already booked you a ticket. You still have time to make it to the station."

I stared blankly at the screenshot of the booking he'd sent me.

A regular seat. Ten hours. The ticket had been purchased yesterday morning.

So they'd planned to travel together all along. I was the only one they'd kept in the dark.

I fought desperately to hold back my tears. "So you never intended to go home with me in the first place?"

When Damon saw how pale I'd gone, his voice softened a little. "Something came up at the last minute. Besides, I'm not going anywhere. We can still discuss the wedding when we go home at the end of the year."

He reached out to take my hand.

I forced a smile and pulled away. "Don't bother."

I turned and went inside to get my identification and luggage.

Behind me, Kendra offered a few insincere words of reconciliation. "You don't need to fight because of me. Maybe we should just forget the whole thing..."

Damon replied indifferently, "Leave her alone."

My nose stung, but I forced myself not to look back.

By the time I came out again, neither of them was at the door.

This time, I didn't hesitate. I hailed a taxi at the entrance to the apartment complex and hired it to take me all the way home.

...

Five days later, when the holiday ended, Damon hurried back, but when he opened the door, I wasn't there.

Thinking about how unusually quiet I'd been over the past few days, Damon took out his phone and messaged me.

[You're still not back?]

As soon as he sent it, a red exclamation mark appeared beside the message.

He stared at it, confused. Then he realized his calls had been blocked, too.

Finally, he rushed to my office, only to learn from the receptionist that I'd resigned long ago.

He also saw the video about my involvement in a workplace sexual harassment case. He recognized the man in the video. It was my direct supervisor.

"Regarding Ms. Valentine's allegations of sexual harassment against me, they are serious fabrications. I've handed the entire matter over to my lawyer."

"Furthermore, she resigned of her own accord..."

Damon's face turned deathly pale.