Chapter 2 Moving Out

I started packing my stuff, and it took me until midnight before I was done. As I stared at the pile of luggage in the corner, my shoulders sagged. For seven years I had lived in this place. I thought this was my home.

Whenever I bought anything, I never once considered whether it would be easy to carry away.

The door swung open. I looked up. Zack strode in and gave me a tight hug. He smelled like alcohol. The corners of his eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse.

"You can't leave me, Jessica. We have so much history. Do you have no heart?"

My hands hung by my sides. I did not pat his shoulder. I did not comfort him.

With difficulty, I supported him and placed him on the bed. His phone kept ringing, and I took the call.

"I know how you feel about me, Zack, but I can't respond to your feelings. I'd love it if you could come to my wedding next month."

When I saw the name on the screen, the phone slid out of my hand and fell to the ground with a crisp thud. "Jessie."

That reminded me. Every time things became intimate between us, Zack would kiss my eyes and call my name with affection. But each time, it sounded less like Jessica and more like Jessie.

I thought that was just a mishearing. Now, I finally realised the truth. He had been trying to find the woman he loved through me.

I clenched my fists and held down the pain, then I took my phone. Just when I was about to call the movers, I saw Jessie's post.

It was a wall of text, and it talked about a boy who had taken care of her since she was a little girl. A boy who would do anything she asked. A boy who would never let her feel neglected.

I bit my lip and left a like on the post, but I felt tears welling up in my eyes. That man had never been willing to talk things through with me.

I looked up and heaved a long sigh, then I called the movers.

As the movers moved out all the familiar decor and fixtures, I felt my heart slowly hollowing out. I went back to the company's dormitories. When my colleague came out of their room and saw me standing across the corridor, they looked surprised.

"You actually moved back! They told me you were, but I thought they were joking. Your fiance treats you like a queen, and you're moving back? That means he'll be alone!"

I forced a smile. "You jest." I looked down at my wrinkled jacket and greasy hair. Maybe my colleague thought I was a poor girl who got kicked out and had nowhere to go.

I sat before my desk and texted my parents. "Dad, Mom. I'll take over management of the overseas branch."

I refused to go anywhere over the last few years because I wanted to be with Zack. Because of that, my relationship with my parents had grown strained.

Their reply came back fast. "Of course. We'll start the procedure right away. Your flight is in three days."

Late that night, I had already fallen asleep when my phone rang and woke me.

"Ms. Shayman? Your boyfriend got into a fight, and we need you to come over."

I held the phone tightly and answered softly, "Sorry, but he's my ex now. Please call someone else."

The officer sounded bemused. "But he told us to call you. He got into a fight for you. I think you should come over."