Chapter 4

My new apartment only has one key.

I keep it in a small dish by the door.

No more heavy, clanking keychains with spare keys for Eric, Candace, and Brittany.

God, it feels so light.

I went back to work.

After being a housewife for three years, I was definitely a little rusty.

But my brain was still sharp as ever.

And I still had the skills.

I fell back into the rhythm in no time.

My manager called me into his office.

"Evelyn, you had a three-year gap on your resume. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant about hiring you."

I just nodded and let him talk.

"But your performance this week? It's been impressive."

"Keep it up."

"Thanks, boss."

I walked back to my desk.

A news alert popped up in the corner of my screen.

"Post-Holiday Travel Nightmare: Airports Packed as Travelers Head Home."

I checked the calendar.

Tomorrow was Christmas Eve.

Eric and his clan would be boarding their flight soon.

My phone buzzed.

A message from Eric.

He sent a photo of Brittany's son, Mason.

The kid was sitting on a stuffed moose, grinning like a brat.

Eric wrote: Mason's been asking for his Aunt Evelyn every single day!

I stared at the screen.

What a load of crap.

That whole family deserves an Oscar for how well they fake it.

Last year, Mason took the expensive new backpack I bought him and stomped it into the dirt.

Just because his mom, Brittany, told him, "Your aunt bought that. It's cheap trash, ignore it."

I was standing right there when she said it.

Brittany didn't even have the decency to look embarrassed.

She just shrugged and said, "Oh, Evelyn, don't take it personally. He's just a kid, he doesn't know any better."

And I actually believed her back then.

Looking back? Kids know exactly what they're doing.

I was the one who didn't know any better.

I texted Eric back: K.

He replied almost instantly: Babe, did you finish the deep clean of the house? It needs to be spotless for Christmas.

I stared at that message.

I could practically see him lounging on a deck chair, soaking up the mountain sun while ordering me around like his personal maid.

I wrote: Done.

He must have loved how "obedient" I was being.

He sent: Good girl. We'll bring you back a little something special.

A gift?

I don't need your damn gifts.

Your plane taking off was the best gift I've ever received.

I closed the chat and got back to work.

After work, I didn't go straight home.

I hit the mall instead.

I bought myself a new coat.

A camel-hair wrap coat. It was ridiculously expensive.

The kind of brand I used to walk past because I thought I wasn't "worth" the splurge.

I also treated myself to a top-of-the-line skincare set.

I stood in front of the dressing room mirror and looked at myself.

I was a little pale, but my eyes were glowing.

It was the look of someone who finally remembered who the hell she was.

I slept like a baby that night.

No dreams.

Just deep, uninterrupted sleep.

The next day was Christmas Eve.

The office closed at noon.

Rachel called me in the afternoon.

"Evelyn, you really spending tonight alone?"

"Yep."

"Come over to my place! My parents have been asking about you."

"No, thanks, Rachel," I said. "I actually really want to be by myself tonight."

Rachel was quiet for a second.

"Alright. Take care of yourself, okay? Call me if you need anything."

"I will."

I went to the gourmet market downstairs and filled a basket with food.

Everything I loved.

I cooked myself an incredible Christmas Eve dinner.

Four courses and a bottle of the good stuff.

I popped open a bottle of vintage red.

And poured myself a glass.

The Christmas specials were blaring on the TV, all loud and festive.

But it felt so peaceful.

The kind of quiet that makes you feel finally at home in your own skin.

At ten o'clock, my phone started buzzing.

A FaceTime request.

It was Eric.

I hesitated for a beat, then hit accept.

The whole clan's faces filled the screen.

They were in some high-end restaurant, all dressed up and glowing.

"Evelyn! Merry Christmas!" Brittany screamed, waving at the camera.

"Look at the size of this lobster! It's insane!"

Candace leaned in, sounding smug. "Evelyn, dear, don't just eat leftovers since you're all alone, okay?"

Eric was holding the phone, grinning like an idiot.

"Merry Christmas, babe. We're catching our flight tomorrow."

Every single one of them looked radiant with "happiness."

They thought I'd be sitting there, jealous and pathetic.

They expected me to force a smile and say, "I'm just glad you're all having a good time."

I just looked at them.

And I smiled too.

"Merry Christmas," I said.

Then, I flipped the camera to show off my table.

The perfectly cooked meal, the expensive wine, the beautiful setting.

"My dinner is actually pretty fantastic," I said coolly.

The smiles on the other end of the line instantly froze.

Especially Candace's.

She clearly didn't expect me to be thriving without them.

I didn't give them a chance to respond.

"Anyway, I'll let you get back to your dinner."

"Safe travels."

I ended the call.

And put my phone on silent.

Silence, once again.

I knew it was the calm before the storm. And I was ready for it!