Chapter 4

Andy's POV

The next day, Nadine came to see me.

By the time she arrived, I had already packed my documents and clothes. She opened a takeout container and pushed a breakfast sandwich toward me.

"Let's put yesterday behind us," she said. "I've already confirmed the engagement party with the hotel. It's happening tonight."

I looked up at her. "It's tonight?"

"Yeah." Nadine sat down across from me. "Grandma mistook Nick for my boyfriend yesterday. I know you were hurt.

"Tonight, I'll introduce you to all our relatives, and I'll give you the locket."

I asked, "What about Nick?"

Nadine frowned. "Of course he's coming. He's done so much to help you. Stop giving him a hard time."

I looked down at my phone.

George had just sent me a message. "The Norwell project confirmation has been sent. Please sign."

I sent my confirmation.

"I'll pick you up at 6:00 pm," Nadine said. "Keep quiet tonight, and don't bring up what happened yesterday."

I was about to answer when her phone rang.

On the screen, Nick was standing in a formalwear store in a black suit.

I recognized it. It was the suit I had ordered three months ago for my engagement with Nadine. I had spent ages choosing the subtle pattern on the cuffs, and my initials were even embroidered inside.

Nick turned in front of the mirror. "Nadine, how does it look? The tarot cards are warning against dark colors today. I'll wear it for Andy for now and clear the bad energy."

As he spoke, he deliberately tugged at the shoulder. "It's just a little tight."

There was a small tearing sound. The stitching inside the jacket had come undone, and a cufflink rolled across the floor.

Nick glanced down and laughed it off. "Oh, dear, I tore it. Andy won't be mad at me, will he?"

Before I could say anything, Nadine spoke, "We'll just buy another one."

I turned to look at her.

I'd had that suit altered three times. She had come with me for the fittings and knew how much it meant to me. Yet now, she didn't even tell him off.

Nick asked with a smile, "What should I wear tonight?"

Nadine rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Pick something yourself."

"I already did."

Nick turned the camera to the side.

A white suit hung on the rack. It looked more like a groom's wedding suit than something a guest would wear.

"The tarot cards say I need to wear white tonight to ward off the bad energy around the Grant family," he said.

"He's wearing that to my engagement party?" I asked.

Nick laughed. "Andy, it's just a suit. You're not seriously going to fight me over something like this, are you?"

Nadine ended the video call and looked at me. "Let him wear whatever he wants. You're the star tonight. No one's going to mistake that."

I didn't argue. I merely said, "Got it."

Nadine hugged me when she saw I had given in. "Wait for me tonight. Don't be difficult."

Then, she got up and left.

I checked the time. The movers would be here in 20 minutes.

I put the keys and ring Nadine had left behind in a box. Then, I turned off our shared location and deleted her from my emergency contacts.

At 11:00 am, the movers arrived right on time.

I took only what belonged to me and headed for the airport alone.

…

Third-Person POV

At exactly 6:00 pm, Nadine showed up at the apartment door.

She was carrying the engagement suit she had prepared for Andy. The box that had originally held the black suit now contained a replacement she had bought at the last minute.

She knocked on the door. "Andy, open the door."

There was no answer.

She frowned and knocked a few more times. "We're going to be late. Whatever you're upset about, we can talk after the engagement party."

Still, there was no answer. Nadine took out her key and unlocked the door.

The door slowly swung open.

The living room was dark. The closet and shoe cabinet were empty, too.

Even the wedding countdown that had been stuck to the refrigerator was gone. Only a small piece of clear tape was left behind.

A single cardboard box sat in the middle of the dining table. Inside were the keys, ring, and access card Andy had left behind.

On top was the note Andy had torn off.

"The wedding is off. Nick can keep the new house," he wrote.

"As for you, Nadine, I don't want you anymore."