Chapter 4

I spread my suitcase open on the floor and stuffed things into it one by one. All the things Selena had given me that I had brought on board were thrown into the trash.

I also shoved the vintage wristwatch I'd originally prepared for Ivan into my own suitcase. He didn't deserve to have it, after all.

By the time I wheeled my suitcase out, the birthday party was still in full swing. Ivan's gifts were piled up in front of him, and Selena was there with him as he cut the cake.

When they saw me wheeling my suitcase out, everyone froze.

Selena was the first to frown. "What are you doing?"

"Ambrose is coming to pick me up. I'm not staying here."

Mom was stunned. "Isn't he vacationing on a nearby island?"

Dad also frowned. "You're still running a fever. What are you doing running around like this?"

"I can still see a doctor over there even if I'm sick."

With that, I kept heading for the door.

Selena stepped right in front of me. "Chuck, I already explained what happened yesterday."

I smiled and asked, "Then, why did you say you've never gotten over him last night? You also said that before marrying me, you needed to see him settled first before you could relax."

Selena's voice suddenly sharpened. "You eavesdropped on us?"

"Yeah, and I heard plenty." I looked at Ivan. "Like why you became my friend."

His face slowly turned pale.

"Selena said if you hadn't known me, how would you have gotten into this circle?" I continued. "Because I treated you as a friend, I was willing to bring you to gatherings and introduce my friends to you.

"But even without me, she'll still keep bringing you to dinners and cocktail parties."

I suddenly laughed. "It turns out I've been quite useful all these years."

"Chuck!" Selena finally panicked. "I just wanted to help him."

Mack also hurried over. "Chuck, Selena was just afraid you'd feel uncomfortable if you found out. Besides, Ivan really did make it this far on his own. Selena just gave him a little push along the way—that's all."

I looked at him. "You helped quite a lot too, didn't you?"

He immediately shut up.

Sensing things were getting tense, Mom came over to pull me away.

"Chuck, that's enough. Everything's out in the open now. You're not well—go back to your room and rest."

I pulled my hand back.

Dad's expression slowly darkened. "What are you making a scene for? Ivan's capable and just lacked opportunities. There's nothing wrong with everyone giving him a hand. You, on the other hand, never wanted for anything growing up. So, there's no need to nitpick over things like this."

Mrs. Hodge also let out a sigh. "Chuck, Selena helping Ivan is just her way of putting those old feelings to rest for good. Once Ivan gets married, you two will naturally settle into a good life together."

I shook my head. "But I don't want to live my life with her anymore."

I turned to Selena. "Let's break up."

Her expression finally changed. "Chuck, you're running a fever right now. Why won't we wait until you calm down, and then we'll talk about it?"

"I am calm. We're over."

With that, I dragged my suitcase around her.

Just then, a crew member quickly walked over.

"Ms. Hodge, a yacht nearby contacted us. They say they're here to pick up Mr. Carson."

Everyone looked toward the sea at the same time.

Not far away, a yacht was approaching.

More than ten minutes later, Ambrose came up. When he saw my face, the first thing he said was, "Holy crap, you're burning up that bad?"

With that, he reached out and felt my forehead.

"You're this hot and still standing around here?"

Mom was about to explain, but Ambrose had already taken my suitcase.

"Let's go first."

Selena was standing behind me, trying to pull me back. I wrenched myself free.

Ambrose glanced back at her and said nothing. Instead, he reached out and put a hand on my shoulder.

"Can you walk?"

"Yup."

"Then, let's go."

I followed him onto the yacht.

Behind me, people were still calling my name. But I didn't respond.

Slowly, the Hodge family's yacht grew farther and farther away behind me.