Chapter 4 The Final Goodbye

When I woke up the next morning, Kimberly was already gone.

I gathered my paperwork and headed to the office to finalize my resignation.

When I returned to my desk to pack up my things, the receptionist told me someone was looking for me.

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, Katherine came storming toward me.

"Mrs. Westwood, what brings you here—"

A sharp slap cracked across my face. My cheek burned.

Then, Katherine shoved me again. "Kim is about to marry your buddy, and you still have the nerve to go after her?"

Her shrill voice drew a crowd of coworkers. Their disapproving stares pricked at me like needles.

My voice trembled as I spoke. "Mrs. Westwood, Kimberly and Elliot are only pretending to be a couple. I was her boyfriend first."

"That's impossible! You're the homewrecker! Kim and Elliot are already legally married. What does that have to do with you?"

She immediately pulled out her phone and shoved a photo of their marriage certificate in my face.

I was stunned. I stared at the names on the certificate: Kimberly Westwood and Elliot Vaughn.

Katherine even handed her phone to someone nearby.

"Everyone, tell me who's right here. My daughter and his buddy are legally married. If he's not a homewrecker, what does that make him?"

I trembled with anger.

By the time Kimberly arrived, the situation had spiraled out of control.

She grabbed Katherine. "Mom, let's go home and talk about this…"

"No! We're doing this right here. I'll make sure everyone knows what kind of person he is!"

Katherine pulled free and charged at me.

Kimberly immediately stepped in front of me to shield me. Then, she turned and whispered, "Ryan, don't blame her. I'll make this right."

Unable to lay a hand on me, Katherine screamed like she was losing control. "Kim, if you don't break things off with Ryan, I'll kill myself!"

Kimberly went pale, then rushed over to support her mother. "Mom, Ryan isn't…"

"What is he to you, then?"

I looked at Kimberly, hoping she'd finally set the record straight. All she had to do was tell them the truth.

But Elliot suddenly rushed over. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then said nothing.

Kimberly's lips parted, but she hesitated.

Finally, she said lightly, "I'll break things off with him right now."

I stood rooted to the spot, my mind buzzing.

The crowd erupted.

"So Ryan really was trying to steal his buddy's girl!"

"No wonder he's leaving. That homewrecker must be guilty…"

Katherine fainted.

Kimberly didn't look at me again. She and Elliot frantically called for help.

I stood there, frozen.

It was a long time before I finally left the office.

My phone rang. It was Kimberly. "Ryan, could you come apologize to my mom? The doctor said she can't handle any more stress…"

"What did I do wrong?" I asked.

Kimberly still wouldn't give up. She begged me to come to the hospital. "Ryan, this is the last time…"

When I arrived, Katherine was lying in a hospital bed, her face pale.

My heart softened. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Westwood. I shouldn't have fallen for Kimberly, let alone been with her."

Katherine shot me a cold glare. "I don't want to see you ever again."

I smiled bitterly. Her wish was about to come true, after all.

As I left the hospital room, Elliot rushed over to comfort me. "Ryan, you've been treated unfairly. Once we finish staging this last wedding, I'll give Kim back to you."

"No need," I said coldly. "You two make a good couple."

His voice grew hoarse. "Ryan, there's really nothing going on between us…"

But the suggestive marks on his collarbone stung.

Kimberly happened to see it, too. Without thinking, she rushed over and stepped in front of him. "Don't blame Elliot."

"It's not what you think it is!" Elliot protested.

That only made Kimberly more convinced I was giving him a hard time.

She glanced at me calmly. "Weren't you going on a business trip? Let me drive you…"

I shook my head. "Don't bother."

As I got into the car, Elliot sent me a message. "Ryan, I promise I'll stay away from Kim."

I blocked him.

Kimberly messaged me, too. "Ryan, I didn't handle things well today. When you get back, let's get married."

Kimberly still didn't know I'd bought a one-way ticket.

There would be no coming back from this trip.