Chapter 4

Today was the first day of my period. A sharp cramp hit my lower stomach, and I slowly bent over.

"Clara, are you okay?" Lucas hurried over.

At the same time, Hilary let out a soft cry. "Ow..."

She held her wrist. There was a small red mark where it had hit the corner of the table.

Lucas immediately stood up to check her wrist.

Then he glanced at me and casually said, "Please take care of yourself for now. I'm going to take Hilary to get some medicine for her scrape. I'll take you home when I get back."

With that, he left the restaurant with Hilary.

My stomach was hurting badly, and I had no appetite left. I went to pay the bill.

Hazel came over and helped me stand. "Clara, let's go. Your clothes are wet. You need to change."

I shook my head. "I'm not going back."

Hazel stared at me in shock. "You're really going to wait for him?"

I gave her a helpless smile and showed her my flight information. "We don't have enough time."

After leaving the restaurant, I called a cab.

While I waited, Hazel wrapped her jacket around me and reminded me, "Did you bring everything? What about your luggage?"

"I have everything. I shipped my luggage a few days ago."

She nodded.

Then she suddenly hugged me, her eyes turning red. "Take good care of yourself, okay?"

I smiled and nodded.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Lucas with a photo.

In the picture, he was holding a new dress in my size and some comfort food.

He asked, "Is there anything else you need me to bring you? I'll get everything at once."

But I didn't reply.

I stared at one corner of the picture for a long time. A hand was barely visible there. Lucas was holding Hilary's hand with his other hand.

Then I noticed something. The bracelet I had made for him was gone.

I took a deep breath and replied. "No, Lucas. Let's break up."

Before I could send another message, several more messages from him came through. "Clara, Hilary twisted her ankle. I'm getting her a ride to the hospital first."

"Wait for me at the restaurant. I'll be right back."

"Don't say you don't need anything. I know how bad your stomach pain gets."

I froze for a moment.

But I still didn't reply.

Then I suddenly remembered something someone once said.

Usually, the person who keeps saying they want to leave doesn't really want to go.

The person who truly decides to leave may not even say goodbye.

I was the same.

It was as if our relationship had already ended a year ago.

As if the person who ate with me and celebrated special days with me was no longer him.

As if the first thing I thought of when he gave me something was sending him the money for it.

I didn't tell him I was leaving.

I simply stopped talking to him and contacting him until I completely disappeared from his world.

Maybe not having to face each other and say goodbye was better this way.

My cab arrived.

I got into the back seat, and the car headed toward the international airport.

I felt neither joy nor sorrow, only exhaustion.

I was finally leaving the place that had caused me so much pain.

I had finally earned my place at a school overseas through my own hard work.

And I finally didn't need him anymore.

By the time I reached the airport, check-in had already begun.

I followed the crowd inside.

But right before I turned off my phone, two messages from Lucas came in. "Clara, I'm at the restaurant."

"Where are you?"