Chapter 4

I went to the office and handed in my resignation.

When my coworkers heard I was leaving, they asked if I was finally moving back to Boston.

“Something like that.” I gave them a faint smile. “Claire and I broke up too.”

“What? I thought you two were about to get married.”

They all looked stunned, but I didn’t explain.

It was after nine that night by the time I finished handing over my work.

On the way home, I came across a spectacular fireworks display by the river.

People nearby were saying that the founder of a tech company had spent a fortune putting it together for the person she loved.

The sky blazed with brilliant color.

I made my way through the crowd, only to find two familiar faces at the center of it.

Claire and Noah stood beneath the fireworks, wrapped in each other’s arms.

“Do you like your birthday surprise?” Claire asked.

Noah’s eyes filled with tears as he nodded. “I love it. I can’t believe you remembered me saying I wanted to see fireworks set off just for me.”

Then he kissed her.

The crowd burst into applause. I joined them, clapping as if I were just another spectator.

When Claire finally turned around and saw me, she froze.

“Ethan? What are you doing here?”

I gave her a calm smile. “I stopped to watch the fireworks. They’re impressive. Almost looks like a proposal.”

“It’s Noah’s birthday.” Claire quickly let go of him. “I just wanted to surprise him. Don’t read anything into it.”

“I’m not.” I shrugged. “You can date him. You can marry him. Whatever you want to do. They have nothing to do with me.”

Displeasure crossed her face. “There’s nothing serious between Noah and me. Ethan, you’ve been acting like this because I keep turning down your proposals, haven’t you?”

I looked at her with a faint, humorless smile.

“Fine.” She spoke as if she were making an enormous concession. “If getting married is what it takes to make you feel secure, I’ll seriously consider it. Can we put all of this behind us now?”

“Am I supposed to thank you?”

“Ethan, I’m serious.” She frowned. “This is the answer you’ve always wanted. I’m giving it to you.”

I let out a cold laugh, turned around, and walked away without another word.

During our seven years together, I had proposed to her more than ten times. Every time, she had found some reason to reject me.

Now that I no longer loved her, I didn’t want the marriage she was finally willing to offer.

On the way back to the apartment, I booked a flight to Boston for two days later.

Once I got home, I pulled out my suitcase and began packing my things one by one.

That was when I realized how little in that apartment actually belonged to me after seven years.

Maybe that was for the best. It made leaving easier.

Claire didn’t come home for the next two days. I didn’t ask where she was.

She did, however, send me several messages.

[Ethan, stop being jealous of Noah. I told you, there’s nothing between us. You’re the one I’ve always loved.]

[I’m busy for the next couple of days, so I might not be home. Take care of yourself.]

[Come on, don’t be mad. I’ll let you in on a secret—there’s a big surprise waiting for you tomorrow. You’d better be ready.]

I had no interest in her surprise, and I didn’t answer any of her messages.

Two days later, I took my suitcase and left for the airport.

After knowing her for ten years and loving her for seven, it was finally over.

When I arrived at the airport, a message from a friend appeared on my phone.

[Here’s a heads-up: Claire’s proposing to you tonight. You’ve been waiting years for this. Congratulations, man.]

A proposal?

For a moment, I wondered what he was talking about. Had he sent the message to the wrong person?

Then I stopped caring.

I was leaving. Soon, nothing in New York would have anything to do with me.

After clearing security, I sat at the gate and found myself remembering the past ten years with Claire.

She had been my first real love, the woman I had fallen for at first sight, and the person I had once believed I would spend my life with.

I had given her ten years of love, and it had all been wasted.

I gave a bitter smile and stood when boarding began.

Just before I stepped onto the plane, Claire called.

I hesitated for a few seconds, then answered.

Her voice was frantic and unsteady on the other end.

“Ethan, why aren’t you home? Where are you? Why is all your stuff gone?”