Chapter 2

Kenny didn't even look surprised. If anything, he looked relieved.

"Got it. HR wasn't exactly excited about him anyway. I'll let him know."

After work, I checked my phone. Missed calls—too many to count. Nina had also blown up my messages.

[Felix, what's going on? Why did HR say they don't want Shane anymore?]

[Did they even ask you? Do they even know he's connected to you?]

[This is ridiculous! Fire all of them!]

When I didn't reply, she changed tactics.

[Felix, my stomach really hurts...]

[The doctor said I'm weak after the miscarriage. I can't get upset... So please go talk to them for me...]

[When are you coming? I'm alone in the hospital... I'm scared...]

I took a deep breath, unsure what to say, and turned my phone off.

That night, I showed up at the restaurant where I'd agreed to meet Sarah Sandford. She was already there. When she saw me, she smiled like it was nothing. "Felix, we meet again."

I paused.

"Wow, you really don't remember? When we were kids, you used to cling to me and say you'd marry me."

Then it clicked.

The little girl who used to show up at my house all the time. I only knew she was the daughter of one of my dad's friends. Later, her family moved overseas, and we lost touch.

Seeing my gloomy expression, she asked, "Not happy I'm your match?"

I quickly shook my head. "No. I'm happy. Really happy."

When the food came, it was all my favorites. She slid a gift across the table. "It's been a while. I wasn't sure what to get, so I asked your mom. She said this is your favorite record."

After dinner, I agreed to marry Sarah.

She laughed, said I was impulsive—but I meant it.

The girl I'd spent six years with knew me less than someone who'd just walked back into my life.

***

When I got back to the house Nina and I shared, I looked toward the kitchen.

No dessert. No cooking. Nothing.

A cold laugh slipped out. Her lies were getting sloppy. And I used to believe every single one.

I started packing her stuff, trying to get her out of my life as fast as possible. That's when I found a list—every detail of what Shane liked, written down like she'd memorized it by heart.

She didn't even know my favorite food. But Shane's? She had it all memorized.

Beside it sat a photo album.

I opened it.

Nina and Shane. Smiling. Close in every shot. Little notes scribbled on the backs like they meant something.

I flipped another page. Two plane tickets slid out—Switzerland.

A sticker was stuck on them: [The seventh stop for Shane and me as we travel the world. Can't wait.]

So her "trip with a best friend" was a lie.

The real trip... was always him.

I'd asked her to travel with me more times than I could count. She always had an excuse.

My chest tightened. I told myself it didn't hurt—but it did.

I ended up on the balcony, going through a full pack of cigarettes before I finally called Kenny.

"Put the Ashbourne Park house up for sale."

Kenny paused. "I was just about to reach you. Ms. Pringle called a bunch of times—she said she can't get through. Should I—"

"Don't," I cut in. "And don't take her calls anymore either."

I hung up.

By the time I finished packing, it was past midnight.

Then the electronic lock clicked. Nina's voice came through the door, flustered.

"Felix, are you home? Why'd you change the passcode? It's me, Nina. I was so scared alone in the hospital... I missed you..."

I didn't answer.

Her tone dropped. "Felix has been acting weird all day. I don't know if he's mad I was careless..."

She was probably on the phone.

"Don't worry," she went on. "I'll just call a few more times. He'll feel bad and open the door. He's always been my simp. He believes everything I say."

That word—"simp"—snapped something clean inside me.

Whatever hesitation I had left was gone.

I walked straight into the guest room.

You want to play the victim?

Fine. I'll let you.