Chapter 4

At 3:00 pm that day, I arrived at Crestmont with the project materials.

I'd barely finished checking in at the front desk when I heard laughter drifting over from the break room. I looked up and saw Logan and Genevieve walking out side by side, each holding a cup of coffee.

Someone nearby teased, "Mr. Poole, buying Ms. Sachs coffee again?"

"He insisted." Genevieve laughed. "What was I supposed to do?"

Logan didn't deny it. But the moment he looked up and saw me, the smile on his face froze.

I simply took my visitor badge and walked straight past them without a word.

The meeting lasted an hour, and I remained calm the entire time. Logan glanced at me several times, but I never once met his eyes.

When the meeting ended, I closed my laptop and strode right out. As I left the conference room, Logan caught up with me and followed me into the elevator.

"What was that about?"

"I'm just here to work."

"You saw me and Genevieve. Why didn't you ask?"

I turned to him.

"If I had, would you have told me the truth?"

He couldn't answer. But even after we stepped out of the elevator, he still trailed after me.

"The wedding is only two weeks away," he said in a low voice. "Making a scene now isn't going to help either of us."

"What you really care about is whether the wedding is going to be canceled, isn't it?" I asked calmly, despite the anger in his eyes.

He went silent for a few seconds.

"I admit I've gotten closer to Genevieve lately," he said, finally relenting. "But we're just coworkers. She relies on me more than most people, and I can't exactly make her uncomfortable."

I didn't have it in me to feel that pain all over again. I simply understood now.

"You worry about making her uncomfortable, but what about me?

"When I couldn't even get my car into my own parking spot, you told me not to make things difficult for her. When I felt like a stranger in my own home, you told me not to overthink it. When I sold something that belonged to me just to get some peace and quiet, you turned around and bought it for her."

"Logan, don't you think you're being incredibly hypocritical?"

His jaw tightened.

"I'll be more careful from now on," he said after a long silence. "I'll drive you home tonight, and we'll talk things through."

"Don't bother," I rejected his offer and walked away. "There's nothing left to talk about.

…

After that, Logan started messaging me constantly.

"Have you eaten?"

"Let's go look at wedding dresses this week."

"The wedding planner needs us to finalize the schedule. Are you free tonight?"

I muted the conversation.

14 days remained until the wedding, and my overseas assignment was set to begin on that exact same day.

I turned the calendar to that date, a heaviness settling in my chest. It was supposed to be the day I had looked forward to more than anything, but now, it was simply the day I would leave.

Over the next few days, I tied up every loose end. I had someone retrieve the documents and belongings I'd left at Logan's place.

Meanwhile, in our group chat, Logan continued making arrangements as though nothing had happened.

"Keira's been busy lately. How about Genevieve help with the final wedding dress fitting?"

"Sure!" Genevieve replied almost instantly. "I have great taste. I'll make sure she loves it."

I stared at the screen. For some reason, I didn't want to leave the group chat anymore. I wanted to see just how much more of my life they were going to arrange without me.

…

The night before I left, Logan sent me a long string of messages.

"I'll be downstairs at 7:00 am tomorrow to pick you up."

"Leave the rest to me."

"As long as you stop being so sensitive, we can have a good life together."

I didn't reply to a single one.

…

On the morning of the wedding, Logan arrived downstairs dressed in his tuxedo.

By then, I was already on my way to the airport. My phone kept buzzing, but I ignored every call.

Later, the realtor told me that Logan had rushed upstairs and pounded on my door for a long time. Eventually, he'd even kicked it until security intervened.

All that remained inside was an empty table with a note I'd left for him.

It contained only one sentence.

"Logan, we're completely over."

Not long after, he sent me one final message.

"If you don't show up today, I'll have Genevieve take your place."

I stared at the words, realizing I didn't feel a thing anymore.

My parents called over and over, and Mom told me all our relatives had already arrived.

I ignored them.

Logan kept sending frantic messages, asking if I'd lost my mind.

I silenced my phone and glanced at the departure gate. As the boarding announcement began, I turned off my phone, slipped it into my bag, and blocked every number.

I walked through the gate without looking back.