Chapter 3

“Are you serious?” I snapped, my voice rising as I stared at Henry.

He seemed to wake up all of a sudden, as though I was a ghost he'd forgotten about. His hand slid off Vivienne’s waist like it burned him, and he stepped back, a look of guilt flashing across his face.

The guys, following his gaze to me, scrambled. “Let’s keep playing,” one of them said, awkwardly breaking the silence. “Vivienne, skip the drinks if you’re not feeling well—truth or dare is better anyway.”

“Yeah, truth or dare’s perfect!” Vivienne cheered, oblivious to the tension in the air.

Henry took a deep breath and sat back down on the couch. He was trying to act like everything was fine. He must have thought I was about to throw a fit. I couldn’t blame him; that’s what everyone else probably expected. But I didn’t do anything. Not a word. Not a glance. Nothing.

I just sat there, staring at the group like they were part of some weird, distant dream. A part of me wanted to yell, to demand an explanation, but another part—probably the smarter part—just stayed silent.

I watched Henry glance at me, waiting for something. His eyes searched my face for signs of jealousy, for hurt, for something that would give him the validation he seemed to crave. But I didn’t give him anything.

And that seemed to unsettle him even more than anything I could’ve said.

“Truth or dare?” someone called out, pulling my attention back to the group.

Vivienne was sitting up straighter, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Dare,” she said, her eyes flicking to Henry for just a second before she turned to the stack of dare cards someone had set out.

“Pick one,” someone urged, and she drew a card from the pile. The room fell silent as she read it.

I caught the look of shock that passed between the girls watching her, and then one of them gasped. “What is it?”

“What’d she get?” another voice asked, almost a whisper.

“Kiss any guy in the room of your choice,” the reader said, her voice trembling. She shot a quick glance at Henry, as if expecting him to explode.

The air in the room shifted. It felt like the temperature dropped. Everyone held their breath.

Vivienne didn’t seem to notice the tension. In fact, she seemed to enjoy it. She stood up with a playful smirk and walked over to Louis, a guy I barely knew but who was definitely good-looking.

“Louis,” Vivienne said with a flirtatious laugh, “mind if I kiss you?”

Louis froze, his eyes flicking from her to Henry, who was glaring daggers at him.

Henry didn’t even move at first. His jaw was clenched so tight I thought it might crack. But then, just as Vivienne leaned in, his voice cut through the air like a knife.

“Enough!” he barked.

I flinched at the sound, but it didn’t matter. Henry was already up and across the room in two strides. He grabbed Vivienne’s hand, practically dragging her toward the door.

The room was silent for a second, then the guests exchanged uncertain glances. They couldn’t decide whether to look at me or pretend nothing was happening.

Eleanor’s fine, I imagined them thinking. She’s used to this by now. She’ll let it go.

But I didn’t. I wouldn’t.

I didn’t speak, just took another sip of my drink, letting it cool my thoughts.

“What’s going on?” a voice asked, breaking through the haze of my own thoughts.

I glanced up, meeting the eyes of one of the women at the bar. She raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to give her something to work with.

I smiled softly. “Why do you think I care?” I said, my tone even, too calm.

They quickly looked away, pretending to busy themselves with their drinks.

I didn’t care. But I could feel it. That cold, creeping feeling in my chest. I didn’t like it.

When my glass was empty, I stood and excused myself to the restroom.

The sound of voices echoed from the hall, sharp and cutting.

“Henry’s lost it. Leaving his girlfriend there, running off with Vivienne.”

“You see his face? Terrifying when Vivienne was about to kiss Louis.”

“Poor girlfriend—watching her man lose it over another woman. Shows who he really cares about, huh?”

“Honestly, she’s just a replacement.”

“Yeah. They’ll break up soon. It’s obvious. Everyone can see Henry’s in love with Vivienne.”

I froze as I stepped into the restroom, hearing them leave before I could even respond.

I leaned against the sink, forcing myself to breathe evenly.

They were right. We were done. But it wouldn’t be him ending it. No, this time it would be me.

When I got back to the penthouse, I headed straight for the closet. I didn’t care to look at the time. I didn’t care about Henry, or the mess he was leaving behind.

I needed to leave.

The suitcase was already open on the floor, half-filled with clothes I’d sorted through earlier. I paused, staring at it, as the weight of what I was doing settled in.

I wasn’t just leaving; I was leaving a part of me behind. I didn’t want to be this version of myself anymore.

Just as I pulled another sweater from the closet, the door opened.

Henry stood there, holding it half ajar, staring at me. His frown deepened as his eyes flicked to the suitcase.

“What’s this?” he asked.

I glanced up, my hands still busy folding clothes. “Oh. You’re back. I’m heading home for a while.”

Henry raised an eyebrow, but didn’t push. “Why? Still mad about last night?”

“No. Just… missing my family.” I kept my tone light, not meeting his eyes.

He softened, his posture relaxing. “That’s good. You’ve never gone home before.”

I didn’t want to think about the fact that it was true. He couldn’t even manage a holiday with me, let alone anything serious. He’d made it clear there would never be a future for us.

“I can’t come with you,” he said, his voice low. “When’s your flight? I’ll have Theo drive you to the airport.”

I shook my head. “No need. I’ve got it covered.”

I didn’t want him anywhere near my family.

“Okay, but text me when you land. I’ll pick you up when you get back to New York.”

I bit back a laugh, my throat tightening with the weight of everything. “Okay.”

I wouldn’t be back. But he didn’t need to know that.

Henry’s phone rang, and after a quick conversation, he turned to me again.

“I have to go,” he said, his voice softer now. “About last night… I shouldn’t have left you there. I got you something. My assistant will drop it off.”

I didn’t answer. I just watched him leave.

As soon as the door shut, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen.

Jasper.

I didn’t answer.

I wasn’t ready to face him yet.