Chapter 4

Cindy dragged me back into the conference room and announced her decision in front of everyone.

"Starting now, Caleb is taking over the project. Zachary, hand over everything you have to him."

No one said a word. Some people lowered their heads and flipped through their notes. Others pretended to be busy on their phones.

These were the same people who had pulled all-nighters with me six months ago. Just three months ago, they still addressed me as "Mr. Lennox" respectfully. Now, when it mattered most, they had all gone mute.

Caleb walked over to me. "Zach, what about the model files…"

"I'll send them to you," I said, standing up and walking out of the conference room.

Cindy hurried after me. "Get started on the renovation designs. Cal came here to make it on his own. He can't keep renting forever. You're free now anyway…"

I turned and looked at her with disbelief. "I'm free now, you say? But isn't that because you reported me?"

A flicker of discomfort crossed her face before she quickly concealed it by composing her expression.

I added, "Besides, why can't Caleb keep renting? I've rented my place for five years."

"That's different," Cindy said immediately.

Then, as if she'd suddenly realized how that sounded, her voice softened. She reached out to take my arm.

"We've been renting for five years already. You've renewed the lease anyway. Another couple of years doesn't make much of a difference at this point. I'll buy you an even bigger place later—something better than this one. And as for your parents…"

Just then, Caleb came running out. He said breathlessly, "Wait, Zach! You're my best friend. If you design the place for me, I'd be really happy."

I looked into those eyes of his that seemed so sincere.

They were so sincere that for a moment, I almost forgot that six months ago, when he'd been desperate and had nowhere to go, I was the one who recommended him for the job. And the house he'd been showing off on social media had been bought with the money I'd spent five years saving.

I said nothing. I pushed Cindy's hand away and walked off.

"Zach…" she called after me.

I didn't turn back.

I only heard Caleb ask quietly, "Is Zach mad?"

Cindy sounded absolutely reassured as she replied, "It's fine. That's just how he is. Give him a couple of days, and he'll get over it. He already paid his rent. Where else could he go?"

My footsteps faltered for a moment. Then, I kept walking.

A message from Caleb appeared on my phone.

"I'm sorry, Zach. But think about it… You already have everything. You're talented, and you have a bright future… Please, just give Cindy to me. You'll be fine without her, but I can't do the same. I have nothing. She's all I have."

I stared at the screen and laughed.

Caleb stole my girlfriend, moved into the apartment bought with my money, and then told me to give her to him because I had everything.

In that moment, I finally understood.

The young man from college who had looped an arm around my shoulders and sworn we'd be friends for life…

The woman who had whispered in my arms that I was the one thing that gave her the courage to keep going…

They had both died somewhere in the past.

I returned to the apartment and picked up the suitcase I'd already packed.

Without hesitation, I messaged the realtor, "You can take the apartment back. I'm moving out tonight."

By the time my plane started to glide along the runway, preparing for takeoff, my phone was vibrating nonstop. Call after call from Cindy came in.

I didn't answer.

The next moment, the messages started flooding in.

"Where are you?"

"The realtor said you terminated the lease."

"Zachary, what the hell are you doing?"

The last text read, "Stop this, okay? Come back, and let's talk this out."

I turned off my phone and closed my eyes, resting my forehead against the window.

Meanwhile, Cindy stood outside the apartment.

The realtor came out and said, "Mr. Lennox applied to terminate the lease three days ago. He's moving out today. You'll need to clear out the rest of your belongings, too."

Cindy didn't answer. She suddenly realized, in a panic, that every trace of me was gone from the apartment. Nothing was left behind.