Chapter 3

After finishing my cereal, I went upstairs and changed.

I had an appointment with a housing agent today to view a property. After all, I had to find another place to stay before moving out.

I didn't ask for anything on the divorce agreement, but that didn't mean I was penniless. I already had some savings before I got married.

I might not have had a job in the past three years, but the Burnham family would give me five thousand dollars every month for living expenses. I didn't spend much of the money, so I had saved up quite a lot.

It should be enough for me to rent a decent apartment and get by for a year or two without any issues. As for the future, I would just have to play it by ear.

The agent was a young man with glasses who talked very fast. He showed me a two-bedroom apartment on the east side of town. It wasn't far from the city center, and the neighborhood was quite nice, too.

He said, "Mr. Holden, the place has perfect natural lighting. The owner just had it renovated, so the furniture and appliances are all brand new. The rent is 2,500 dollars a month. What do you think?"

I stood on the balcony and looked around. The view was wide and open, and I could see a park in the distance. It wasn't a huge apartment, but it was enough for one person.

And most importantly, there were no memories of Eva here.

I said, "Sure. I'll take this one."

The agent obviously didn't expect me to make a decision so soon. He was stunned for a moment, and then he smiled happily. "Wonderful. I'll contact the owner and prepare the contract right away!"

I signed a one-year lease and paid the security deposit and rent for the first month.

When I left with the keys, the sunlight was just right, and it felt warm and cozy on my skin.

I stood at the roadside as I gazed at the keys in my hand. I suddenly felt relieved.

When I got home in the afternoon, Mrs. Brown had already placed several cardboard boxes in the living room.

I was about to go upstairs and start tackling the clothes in my closet when I heard movement coming from the main entrance.

I didn't turn to look, but I had a bad feeling about it.

Sure enough, in the next second, a familiar voice rang out behind me, "Oh, you're home."

I turned around.

Charlie was standing at the entrance. Noticing the boxes I was holding, he silently looked at me for a moment. "What are you doing with those?"

I didn't answer his question. Instead, I calmly asked, "What brings you here?"

He answered, "Eva brought me here. My current lease is ending, and I haven't found a new place yet. She said I can stay here for the time being, and I can stay for as long as I like."

I just nodded in response.

Charlie obviously hadn't expected that response. His smile froze for a second. "You don't mind, do you?"

He looked at me, his head slightly tilted. "To be honest, I thought it would be a bit awkward too, but Eva insisted that I stay here. She said—"

"Since she asked you to, just stay here," I interrupted him. "After all, we have plenty of rooms here."

Pursing his lips, he went over to the couch and sat down. "How nice of you. Back then, you graciously married her, and now, you generously allowed me to move in."

I looked at him. For a second, I suddenly found it funny.

Instead of answering him, I turned around to go upstairs.

Charlie probably felt upset that I was ignoring him, so he raised his voice. "Jeremy, I'm talking to you."

I paused in my footsteps and looked back at him. "I know, but you didn't come here to chat with me, did you? Why waste our time? I have stuff to pack, you know."

Charlie stood up, the smile completely gone from his face.

"You're leaving?" he blurted out, his voice filled with disbelief.

"What did you think I was going to do?" I retorted. "Stay here and be the third-wheeler?"