Chapter 4

“Fine. I agree to your arrangement.”

Nathan nodded in satisfaction. He reached the doorway, then stopped.

“What about our picture?”

His eyes fell on the corner of my desk.

A framed photo from our engagement had once stood there. Now, only a desk lamp remained.

“I put it away.”

“Are you still angry?”

“No. I’m just sorting through my things.”

He glanced at the boxes against the wall, and the tension left his face.

“That’s good. Chloe is coming by tomorrow night to discuss the shoot. Clear the desk for her.”

I nodded.

A few months earlier, Nathan had brought Chloe home for the first time without warning me.

When I came home from work, she had been wearing my slippers and sitting at the dining table. The dinner I had prepared for the two of us was laid out in front of her.

When I asked why she was there, Nathan immediately set down his fork.

“We’ve been working until now. She hasn’t even had dinner. Do you really have to make our guest uncomfortable?”

After that, he brought her home more and more often.

The more uncomfortable I became, the more determined he was to make me accept it as normal socializing.

Now, I no longer cared.

They wouldn't need to ask me how to use that table—or anything else in the apartment—ever again.

The next day, I went to the storage room to collect my belongings.

My design sketches, thank-you cards from clients, and the photos taken when the company first opened had all been shoved into the same cardboard box.

The nameplate on my office door had already been replaced.

Although Nathan planned to announce Chloe’s promotion at the rehearsal, he had already moved her into the office.

He stopped when he saw me carrying the box.

“Is everything there?”

“Yes.”

“Good. She was worried you’d be upset. She even asked me last night whether I should move her back out.”

I didn't answer.

Instead, I removed the company keys from my key ring.

“Who should I give these to?”

“The operations manager. If you need to come back for anything, Chloe can let you in.”

I placed the keys in the equipment-return bag.

Over the next two days, Nathan stayed busy arranging Chloe’s interview while I finalized my housing in Seattle.

While they were choosing dresses for the promotional shoot, I shipped out the rest of my luggage.

When Chloe posted photos of her new office online and thanked Nathan for “always believing in my talent,” I sent my final handover email.

It included every contact, project update, and outstanding item that still needed attention.

I deleted the sentence I always added at the end—If you have any questions, feel free to contact me—and replaced it with Chloe’s email address and phone number.

On the day of the rehearsal, I arrived at the venue early.

I checked the lighting, music, and entrance order against the checklist one item at a time.

Chloe didn't arrive until the photographer was already there. She was wearing a long white dress and immediately took the bridal bouquet from the florist.

She linked her arm through Nathan’s and stood with him beneath the arch for the test shots.

When the photographer asked her to move closer, Nathan placed a hand around her waist.

I stood beside the monitor, making sure every detail in the frame was correct. Then I checked the final box on the list.

When the rehearsal ended, the operations manager took my tablet and company phone.

“Did you receive all the files?”

“Yes.” She glanced over the checklist. “We’ll contact Chloe directly about everything from here on.”

“Thank you.”

She was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something.

“Nathan wants you to stop by the bridal suite before you go. He’s waiting for you there.”

I checked the time.

There was still plenty of time before my flight.

I could take care of one final thing first.

The engagement ring was already tucked inside a small box in my bag.

At the end of the hallway, the door to the bridal suite stood slightly open.

I raised my hand to knock, but Chloe’s laughter drifted through the gap.

Through the opening, I saw her lying on the sofa with her head resting in Nathan’s lap.

He was gently untangling an earring caught in her hair.

“See? I told you,” she said. “Look how cooperative she’s been today. She didn’t even say anything about us taking pictures together.”

Nathan smiled.

“She has been much more reasonable lately.”

“That’s because you indulged her for too long.” Chloe took his hand. “She’s carrying your child. How could she possibly leave you? Just keep your distance for a few days, and she’ll come to her senses.”

Nathan didn't argue.

He brushed the hair away from her face, his tone relaxed.

“Yeah. Your plan worked again.”