Chapter 1

Grant's POV

After tucking Sadie into bed, I pulled out my phone and booked a flight back to Silver Ridge.

Unfortunately, the New Year had just ended, and the post-holiday travel rush was in full swing, so the earliest ticket I could get was seven days away.

I stared at the date on the booking confirmation, momentarily lost in thought.

January 7th. And the seventh anniversary of my relationship with Vanessa McBride.

Maybe fate had a sense of humor after all.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

Perhaps it was fitting. What had begun on that day should end on that day as well.

A heavy scent of gardenias wrapped around me from behind as Vanessa's gentle voice drifted down from above my head.

"What are you looking at?"

Instinctively, I locked my phone screen. "Just some news about gold trading."

In only six months, Derek Holloway's cologne scent had seeped so deeply into Vanessa that it felt as though it had become part of her skin. The smell made my stomach turn.

I pushed her away slightly. "Go take a shower before talking to me."

Vanessa lowered her head and sniffed at herself before releasing me with an awkward smile. "Okay..."

Then she added softly, "I know I've neglected you lately. That's my fault. I won't be going to Der's place for the next few days."

Der.

How intimate that sounded.

She used to keep up appearances at least, calling him "Derek" in front of others. Now she didn't even bother with the title anymore. Anyone who didn't know better would probably assume Derek was Vanessa's husband.

The bathroom door swung open a short while later. Vanessa stepped out, wrapped in a towel, steam curling around her body.

With a slender waist, long legs, and skin as pale and smooth as cream, she still carried a youthful brightness that many younger women lacked despite her age.

For a moment, I saw the woman she had been seven years ago. Covered in dew from the night air as she stayed overnight for the first time, her eyes had shone with pride, as though she wanted the whole world to know.

"Grant, from today onward, you're mine. For the rest of our lives, it'll be just the two of us."

Seeing me stare blankly at her, she suddenly burst into laughter and threw herself into my arms.

"Grant, tonight I'm staying with you. I'm not going anywhere else."

The fresh citrus scent from her body mixed with the lingering fragrance of cologne, creating an oddly unpleasant smell.

I lowered my eyes quietly. The woman before me was no longer the person I had once loved.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Miss McBride, Mr. Holloway isn't feeling well. Please come take a look."

The irritation on Vanessa's face disappeared instantly, replaced by concern. She hurriedly pulled on her clothes.

"What's wrong with him? Did you call the family doctor?"

She had already taken several steps before suddenly remembering I was still standing there.

Turning back, she looked at me apologetically. "Derek isn't feeling well. I have to go check on him. With Rebecca gone, I'm all he has left to rely on."

She forced out a smile. "I'll come back soon, Grant. You've always been so understanding."

Understanding.

Because I was "understanding", I had endured six months and many sleepless nights.

'Vanessa, I was always committed to you.'

I spoke quietly, "Vanessa."

Her brows knitted together, words of reassurance already forming on her lips, but before she could speak, she froze.

I draped a coat over her shoulders. "The nights are cold. Wear something warmer before you go."

Vanessa gripped the coat tightly, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. "Grant, you..."

However, before she could understand the sudden ache rising in her chest, the guest room door closed between us.

'Seven more days, Vanessa. After that, I won't wait for you anymore.'