Chapter 5

When I woke up, I was already in the hospital. The doctor frowned at me and asked why I had waited so long to come in.

I didn't know how to answer.

As soon as I returned to Felix's house, I packed my things and moved out. Then I sold the ring I'd worn alone for years.

It was one of a matching pair we'd bought for our fourth anniversary.

Yet no matter how much I begged, Felix never wore his.

"Can you stop bothering me about stupid things like this? Don't you have anything better to do?"

That was why almost no one even knew we were a couple.

Then, one day, Felix suddenly started wearing a ring.

That same day, Gracie posted a photo on Instagram.

"A gift from a certain someone! So beautiful."

I recognized the hand holding hers immediately.

Felix.

Thinking about it now, I almost wanted to laugh.

I had deliberately booked a hotel near the airport so I could get some rest before my flight. A loud banging on my door jolted me awake.

"Eunice, open the door! We need to talk! How long are you planning to keep this up? Come home already!"

My head throbbed. I hadn't expected Felix to find me so quickly.

I opened the door.

Felix grabbed my arm, his bloodshot eyes fixed on me.

The scent of sweet perfume clung to him.

Gracie's perfume.

“Eunice, I never agreed to break up!”

Then his gaze fell on my bare hand, and his expression changed.

"Where's your ring? What happened to it? You never take that thing off!"

I looked at him blankly.

"We broke up. Why would I keep wearing it?"

He stared at me, as if trying to figure out whether I was serious.

Then he scoffed, his earlier panic disappearing behind a look of contempt.

"So this is all an act because you're jealous of Gracie again? There's no way you'd actually leave me. You're just trying to get my attention. Nice performance. You almost fooled me."

I pressed a hand to my stomach and clenched my jaw against the pain.

"You really think too highly of yourself. Why would I still love you?"

"Eunice, there really is nothing between me and Lix."

Only then did I notice Gracie crouching nearby.

"Eunice, I'll beg if I have to. Please don't leave Lix because of me."

She rushed over, grabbed my wrist, and bowed deeply.

Felix pulled her upright immediately.

The sudden movement knocked me aside, sending me crashing into the door.

I gasped as pain shot through me.

"Why are you bowing to her? She only acts like this because we've spoiled her too much."

Just then, the rosary bracelet on my wrist snapped. Beads scattered across the floor.

I froze. Then I quickly crouched down to gather them.

Felix's mother had given me the bracelet when we first started dating.

She had held my hand and carefully wrapped it around my wrist.

"I wish you both well," she had said.

Maybe it breaking now was a sign.

Felix stared at the beads scattered across the floor and fell silent.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, then stopped.

"Eunice, come home when you're done being angry. We'll be waiting for you. I still owe you your seventh-anniversary gift."

I picked up the beads one by one, then gave him a bitter smile.

Before he could say anything else, I threw them at him.

"We're done."

I shoved them both out and slammed the door.

Then I opened the window and stared out at the dark night. Without hesitation, I sent an email.

A reply arrived soon after.

"Your report has been received and is under review."