Chapter 3

After all, I was the CFO of Rachel's company, handling a massive volume of financial transactions and managing millions of dollars in accounts and funds every day. I had to be rigorous and meticulous, leaving no room for even the slightest error or lapse in concentration.

Did Rachel think that I didn't want to spend my days drinking, clubbing, and gaming away either?

It wasn't that I didn't want to. I just couldn't afford it.

The mark of adulthood was knowing how and when to make trade-offs. I was being responsible and accountable for everything that went on in life.

I had tried explaining this to Rachel before, but she barely paid me any attention and even complained on her secret account about my nagging, droning on and on like an annoying fly.

Whatever.

I unfollowed her secret account.

Then, I washed up, brushed my teeth, and got into bed. Just as I was about to turn off the lights, Rachel finally came home, reeking of smoke and alcohol.

"Felix. I was wrong. I'm sorry that I let my impulsiveness take over again."

Rachel would always speak to me especially gently after running away from our wedding because she knew that what she had done was wrong.

"Don't stay mad at me anymore, alright? I promise that next time… Next time, it won't happen again. I'll marry you for real."

After that, she climbed onto my side of the bed, her eyes glimmering brightly at me as she began sliding her hands under my clothes. It was the same tactic she used every single time. She would "repay" me with her body after hurting my feelings.

However, this time, I shoved her right off, and she landed on the floor in a heap because I'd used a bit too much force on her.

"I'm tired," I said as I turned away, refusing to look at her.

"Ouch, that really hurts…" Rachel whined painfully from the floor.

I ignored her and scrolled on my phone, searching for flight tickets.

Rachel got mad. She shot to her feet.

"Felix Hampton! Be a man instead of getting all petty like this! Don't you even know how to take a joke? You don't love me anymore, do you?

"I've already told you time and time again that women need to be spoiled and pampered and indulged! We have the right to be as wild and unruly as we want!

"And if you really loved me, then you would be more tolerant and considerate of me! Who do you think you're fooling by giving me an attitude like that?

"I'm counting to ten. And if you still refuse to relent, then you're not laying a finger on me for the rest of the month!

"One!

"Two!

"Three!"

She began counting the seconds with an air of serious intent. In the past, I would always cave in by the time she counted to five. But this time, I spoke up just as she counted to three.

"Let's break up, Rachel."

"What? Break up?" Rachel gasped, clearly taken aback. She was completely stunned. But after a few seconds of silence, she suddenly broke into hysterical laughter.

"That's so hilarious of you, Felix! Break up? You'd never bear to break up with me. I know just how much you love me!" she exclaimed. "You're such a sissy for using women's tactics to play hard-to-get with me. You're so damn embarrassing!

"Alright. Now behave yourself, and I'll let you go another round with me tonight. Are you happy now?"

She then leaned in to kiss me again, and I just pinched her lips with my fingers.

"I'm not joking. I'm being serious. Let's break up," I said. "I'll be completing the handover process at the company as well. You can find yourself another CFO."

Rachel stopped laughing. She was really angry this time.

"That's enough, Felix! Who do you think you're fooling by playing hard-to-get with me like this? You're such a boomer!

"Fine. I'll admit that I was wrong today, but will you just stop holding it against me? You're not behaving like a man at all!

"If you don't want sex tonight, then that's fine with me! We'll see who'll be the one to cave in first!"

She stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her before retreating to the guest room for the night. I ignored her outburst and continued scrolling through the flight options on my phone.

It had been too exhausting over the years, with the pressure of my high-stakes job weighing heavily on me. My entanglement with Rachel had only left me even more drained, and I desperately needed to find a place with beautiful scenery where I could truly relax and unwind.

Life was just like that. Being overly stubborn and fixated on things would only bring me pain, but the moment I let go of those pointless internal struggles, I realized there was a whole new world waiting for me beyond them.