Chapter 4

On the way home, Lila remained nestled in the front passenger seat. Behind the wheel, Lucas decided to drop her off at her apartment first.

I sat in the back, discussing rental details with my new landlord in France.

Once Lila was out, Lucas told me, "Move up front."

I didn't even lift my head. "No need."

He paused. "Whatever."

I ignored his irritation entirely, looking at the photos of the bright, sunlit apartment. I liked it and immediately paid the deposit.

When we got home, Lucas pulled an album out of his briefcase and walked over to me. "Take a look."

I picked it up and flipped open the cover, only to realize it was a catalogue of custom bridal gowns.

"Pick one. The wedding is only a month away, and the vendors need time to prepare." He pointed to a gown adorned with intricate, three-dimensional pear-blossom lace. "I think this one is quite nice."

A flash of disdain crossed my eyes. That was what Lila liked. He really thought about her in everything.

In the past, I would have lost my temper. But now, I simply nodded. "Okay. This one is fine."

In two days, I would leave this country. What did a hypothetical wedding a month from now have to do with me?

Lucas seemed immensely satisfied by my sudden, unprecedented obedience. Stepping closer, he leaned down and pressed a kiss against my forehead—a reward for my compliance.

"Good. This is how things should be," he murmured. "I don't like that sour attitude you had earlier. Don't let it happen again, okay?"

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and disappeared into the bathroom. At the same time, I grabbed a disinfectant wipe and scrubbed my forehead until the skin was raw and burning.

Only then did I feel clean.

When the clock struck 9:00 p.m., Lucas followed his sacred routine. He switched off the lamps, climbed onto the bed, and flipped his phone face-down on the nightstand, the black earbud nestled deeply inside his right ear.

He didn't seem to notice the empty vanity or the bathroom. He didn't see the suitcase next to my nightstand either.

Of course, he didn't. Aside from Lila, he seemed indifferent to everyone.

...

In the dead of night, I was jolted from my sleep by a sharp screech echoing through the dark room. Beside me, Lucas snapped awake, bolting upright into a sitting position.

He roared into his open microphone, his voice trembling. "Lila? What happened?"

Through the oppressive silence, the faint sound of Lila's hysterical sobbing bled through his earbud. The man, who prided himself on stoicism, unraveled in a second.

He jumped out of bed and rushed out of the house. It turned out that his sacred 9:00 p.m. boundary, his rigid schedules, and his unyielding rules were flexible.

They could be bent the moment Lila shed a tear.

I had no intention of following him, but sleep was now out of the question. Seeking a distraction, I unlocked my phone and opened the university's local network.

The campus forum was ablaze with new threads.

[Some creep broke into the faculty building! Something happened to Miss Winters from the Literature Department!]

[She's okay! I'm live-reporting from the scene. The stalker was trying to break her window, but Mr. Vance showed up!]

[Mr. Vance looked like a feral beast. He beat the hell out of that guy!]

[The police have just arrived.]

...

I scrolled through the updates in silence. Each post had photos that glared at me in the cold, dark bedroom.

A few minutes later, someone posted a video. Just as described, the man who always preached about rules and boundaries had completely lost control.

Lucas punched the masked intruder over and over. Only when the police arrived did he stop. Then he turned and pulled Lila tightly into his arms, pressing her head against his chest so she wouldn't see the bloody scene.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here," he muttered.

The video shot to the top of the trending list. Everyone praised him as an attentive, devoted man.

I watched it for a long time and even liked the most popular comment, wishing them a lifetime of happiness together. Then I calmly closed the app.

Lucas didn't come home that night. I wasn't surprised at all.

I slept dreamlessly until six in the morning. I picked up my already-packed suitcase, grabbed my documents, and took one last look at the album on the table.

I left the keys on the entryway table and walked out. At the airport, I pinned my breakup announcement to the top of my social media updates and boarded the plane.

The plane took off. Lucas and I had no more ties in this lifetime.