Chapter 4

Serena's POV

"What's that supposed to mean?" Xavier froze, a grimace weaving across his face.

My actions faltered, and I lifted my gaze to him. "You heard me."

"You're quitting on us because of a young lady who's still green in society? I told you I'd transfer her to another branch! What more do you want from me?" Xavier shot me an incredulous look, as if my kicking up a fuss and unreasonable tantrums had brought on this development.

I said nothing, a weariness bogging me down. My heart tightened to the point that breathing became difficult.

"Oh, staying quiet, are we? Fine, then! I don't want to hear anything from you anymore!"

Xavier stormed out, the door slamming shut behind him with a thud so violent that the whole room seemed to rattle.

I laughed, then slumped on the ground as if all the strength had been sapped out of me.

The next morning, I checked out of the hotel with red, swollen eyes. I'd only just turned when I spotted Xavier and Tiffany in the lobby.

The latter jogged up to me, bowing deeply in apology. "I'm sorry, Serena. I shouldn't have written those posts. Nothing's going on between Mr. Harrington and me. I simply admire him, and the feeling is one-sided. Please don't get the wrong idea!"

Was it just admiration she felt for him? I didn't bother calling her bluff, and instead nodded calmly. "Fine."

"She's already apologized, so let's be the bigger person and move on from this, alright?" Xavier approached me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"I'm sorry for behaving like an ogre last night. Our department's lunch gathering is today. You should come. Blow off some steam."

I was about to turn down the invitation when Xavier grabbed my suitcase without asking and shoved it into the trunk of his car.

When it was time to get into the car, Tiffany instinctively claimed the passenger seat.

I said nothing, and it was only after Xavier noticed I was oddly quiet that he explained slowly, "Tiffany prefers the passenger seat to the back because of her carsickness."

I rolled down the window. As the wind whooshed past, I pointed out, "I get carsick too."

Xavier went still. He opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, words failed him.

When we reached the restaurant, the table was already packed, and everyone was getting rowdy.

When they saw Xavier and Tiffany, they immediately vacated two practically conjoined seats and teased, "Over here! We can't separate the lovebirds, or Mr. Harrington will have a hard time peeling shrimp for his girlfriend!"

Xavier cast me a look as the jest hung in the air, as if observing my reaction. But I didn't remark and simply staked an empty seat at the corner of the table.

Everyone's gaze fell on me when they realized Xavier seemed dazed.

Someone muttered, "Who's this? Why have I never seen her before?"

"She came with them. She's probably a friend of Mr. Harrington's."

The comment prompted me to glance at Xavier. He didn't deny the assumption. As it turned out, I was just an ordinary friend to him despite our eight-year relationship.

When the dishes were brought out, everyone grabbed their seats, leaving the one beside me empty.

The waiter approached me with a bowl of piping hot soup. He was about to set it down when Tiffany suddenly screamed, "Ow! That's hot!"

The waiter was so startled by Tiffany's cry that his hands shook, and he accidentally dropped the bowl of soup. The hot liquid splashed on my leg, and blisters began to form on the skin.

My brows furrowed with pain. My breathing grew labored. "Xavier, I—"

I instinctively turned to ask Xavier for help, only to find that he'd directed all his attention to Tiffany. "Are you alright? Does it still hurt?"

He hadn't wasted any time in dragging Tiffany to the sink and running her scalded skin under cold water, yet he was blind to the blisters on my leg and the stain on my dress from the spilled soup.

This meal was starting to feel like a disgusting display of their affection.

Immediately losing my appetite, I limped out of the restaurant. I found Xavier's car and began to haul my suitcase out of the trunk.

"Serena!" Xavier came after me, grabbing my wrist. "You're just going to leave without saying a word? What's with the attitude? Don't you know everyone's watching?"

I snorted, sarcasm coloring my words. "Oh, so you can see, after all. I thought you had tunnel vision and Tiffany was all you could see."

He stiffened at first, then released an exasperated sigh. "She was scalded, Serena. I was only helping her."

"And what about me?" I lifted my half-stained skirt and revealed the blisters on my leg. "You were so worried about your subordinate, you didn't so much as check on your girlfriend. Those who didn't know any better might have thought you and Tiffany were an item, not us."

"Serena!" Xavier frowned, annoyance flooding his eyes. "You could've just told me you were hurt. I would've taken you to the hospital! Besides, if it were serious, you're old enough to call an ambulance and sort this out yourself!"

So, Tiffany got the special treatment with consideration and extra fussing on the side, but all he had to offer me was advice to be independent?

Our eight-year relationship suddenly felt insubstantial.

Realizing I was leaving with my suitcase, Xavier quickly blocked my way. He reached out and tugged on my arm. "Okay, that's enough, Serena. I'll take you to the hospital."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a few of his employees ran toward us. "Mr. Harrington, come quick! Tiffany accidentally ate seafood, and her allergy flared up! She's covered in red spots!"

Xavier's hand slowly loosened around my wrist.

I chuckled bitterly at the sight of his worry, which he desperately tried to mask with nonchalance.

I said, "Go on."

He looked relieved at this and said naturally, "Go to the hospital first. I'll be there soon!"

He turned and ran after that, returning to Tiffany's side without so much as a backward glance at me.

I watched as his figure grew smaller, and finally stopped hesitating. I called a cab to take me to the airport.

Just as the plane was about to take off, I sent Xavier one final text.

"Let's break up, Xavier."

After that, I took out my SIM card and snapped it in half, severing our eight-year relationship with brute force.