Chapter 5

Mrs. Lynn's face tightened. She clearly backed her daughter, but even she knew this wasn't a good look.

Before she could say anything, Jacob made the call.

"Nina, you can take a cab home."

Wendy threw me a quick glance, a smug little smile tugging at her lips as the window rolled up.

I didn't flinch.

Classic Jacob—always asking me to step back for Wendy.

Right on cue, snow started falling.

Light at first, then settling into a thin layer.

I crouched, scooped up a handful.

Cold.

But not colder than my heart.

***

When I got home, Jacob was already packing.

Without even looking at me, he said,

"Wendy's not doing well. I'm gonna stay with her for a while. You'll have to cab it to work."

I said nothing.

Wendy was upset, so he was off to spend the night. To comfort her?

I didn't ask. He didn't explain.

He zipped up his bag, walked out, and didn't come back for a week.

Not one text.

But I knew what he was doing every single day.

Wendy made sure of it—videos, selfies, picture-perfect updates.

That's when it hit me. Jacob did know how to love.

He just decided who was worth the effort.

He cooked for her—real meals, balanced and thoughtful.

Cut her steak, picked out cute gifts.

Took her to amusement parks and out-of-town getaways.

All the stuff I used to wish he'd do with me.

Things he once called childish.

I didn't dwell. Just saved every photo, every video.

Then I wrapped up my projects and handed in my resignation.

My friends were stunned.

"Nina, why are you quitting all of a sudden?"

I just smiled.

"I've been gone too long. I want to go back home."

Someone asked, "Is Jacob going with you?"

They all knew how hard he'd hustled for his job. No one thought he'd actually leave it to follow me.

One friend tried to talk me out of it.

"Don't go. You are getting married. Living apart now wouldn't be good."

Even now, they couldn't—or wouldn't—see it.

As for me?

I'd already dropped everything once for him.

Moved cities. Started from scratch. All for Jacob.

Did I ever complain?

Was love supposed to mean giving up everything?

I shook my head.

"No. We won't be living apart."

That's all I gave them. No extra details.

I had too much to handle to waste time convincing people who didn't want to see the truth.

After wrapping things up and brushing off my boss's last-minute offers, I headed back to the apartment I shared with Jacob.

He was already there—with Wendy cozied up next to him.

They sprang apart when the door creaked open.

I acted like I didn't see a thing, walked past with my box of office stuff, and headed straight for the bedroom.

"You're back. No work today?" He frowned at the box. "Did you... quit?"

"Yeah." I didn't bother explaining and veered into the study.

He trailed after me, clearly annoyed. "Why would you just quit without telling me?"

Before I could answer, Wendy popped up behind him.

"Jacob, don't be mad. It's hard for women her age to keep up with the younger crowd. Totally normal she couldn't hang."

She said it like she was defending me, but every word dripped with mockery.

I just nodded.

"Useless," Jacob muttered, only relaxing when Wendy gave his arm a little squeeze.

If she hadn't been sending me all those snarky videos and screenshots, I might've said thanks.

Then my phone buzzed on the desk.

Before I could grab it, Wendy snatched it and gasped like she'd found a body.

"Ooo, who's this 'Hubby'?"