Chapter 4

We'd been together for five years, and this was the first time Nicole had ever thought to bring me something to eat.

Then, I opened the container and saw the stale fish and chips inside.

Of course.

Kevin probably hadn't finished it, and Nicole didn't want the food to go to waste. I was simply the most convenient person to dump his leftovers on.

I looked at her without a word.

"Oh, there's something else," she said. "Would you mind switching apartments with Kevin? His building doesn't allow dogs, and his landlord told him he has to move out right away. Finding another place would be a pain, and yours is the best option I could think of."

There was an unusual hesitance in her expression as she spoke.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I realized that even her leftovers came with a price.

"Sure."

I nodded calmly.

I was going home anyway and had no intention of renewing the lease, so if Kevin wanted the apartment, he could have it.

In fact, he could have Nicole along with it.

"A-Are you really okay with that?" she asked.

My immediate answer had clearly caught her off guard. Nicole stole several glances at me before she seemed unable to resist explaining herself.

"Kevin's like a little brother to me. You're going to be family anyway, so helping him out shouldn't be a big deal."

Then, she added, "And put off your trip tomorrow. Come home with me and meet my parents instead. You've wanted to get married for years, haven't you? We've been together for five years, so I think it's time."

The longer she spoke, the more her expression softened. When she stepped closer as if to hug me, however, I raised a hand and stopped her.

I wanted to tell her face-to-face that we were over. After all, this would probably be my last chance.

But before I could say anything, her phone rang.

It was Kevin.

Nicole glanced at the screen and declined the call, only for him to call again a few seconds later.

This time, Nicole hesitated and looked at me.

"Answer it," I said as I met her eyes. "It might actually be important."

Kevin's voice came through the phone, thick with tears. He said he'd fallen and needed her help.

After hanging up, Nicole looked at me, a flicker of guilt crossing her face.

"Um… Kevin had a little accident. He's home alone, so I might need to go over there."

For once, she sounded as though she was asking for my approval rather than simply informing me of her decision.

I swallowed the breakup speech that was already on the tip of my tongue, forced a smile, and nodded. "It's fine. Go."

When she heard me, relief immediately crossed her face. She immediately got to her feet. Before leaving, she turned back to remind me, "Don't forget we're going to my parents' tomorrow. Make sure you're ready."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

In the end, she still hadn't given me the chance to break up with her in person.

…

The next morning, I finished packing and went straight to the train station.

I followed the same route Mom had taken the day before and headed home.

Just as I reached the gate, a message from Nicole popped up on my phone.

"Sorry. Kevin sprained his ankle, and he asked me to take him home first. Just get a cab to my parents' place on your own, okay?"

I'd already expected something like this. I sent her a curt response, scanned my ticket, and boarded the train.

Meanwhile, Nicole put down her phone distractedly and drove to the location Kevin had sent her.

When she pulled up outside the hotel, Kevin was already there with her parents, grinning from ear to ear.

"Nicole, I ran into your mom and dad. Come on, let's grab a meal together."

Kevin had one arm linked through Melinda's and reached out with the other to take Nicole's arm.

She froze for a second, then immediately pulled away.

"Michael and I are supposed to be meeting my parents today. What are you doing here?"

She quickly pulled out her phone, then turned to her parents. "Mom, Dad, Michael will be here any minute. He's my boyfriend, so don't let Kevin talk you into—"

Her words suddenly died in her throat. The screen showed the replies I'd sent earlier.

"You never bothered to meet my mom, so I don't see why I need to meet your parents. Oh, and Nicole, I quit my job. I'm going home, so let's break up."