Chapter 3

Strange as it felt, I watched Felix run out the door.

He didn't hesitate. Not for a second. He grabbed his keys, shrugged on his jacket, and left without looking back.

I wasn't sad. I felt relieved. The weight I had been carrying for three years finally lifted.

At least he made his choice clear. He had given our relationship a death sentence, and he had signed it himself.

I turned off the stove. I cleaned the kitchen. I left the keys on the counter.

I picked up the roses he had brought me and threw them in the trash without a second thought. They landed with a soft thud, petals scattering across the garbage bag.

I loved jasmine. Small, white, delicate. Understated.

I imagined Luna loved roses. Flashy. Bold. Demanding attention.

"Door locked."

"Confirm deletion of fingerprint? Deleted."

The smart speaker chimed in the empty apartment. I took one last look at the home Felix and I had shared. The walls we had painted together. The furniture we had picked out. The bed where he had held me and promised me forever.

Then I walked away.

Running into Felix and Luna at the office was unexpected.

I was there to finish up loose ends. After the engagement was called off, I would leave the country. I had been involved in the family business because of Felix. Mergers. Acquisitions. Negotiations. Now that I was an outsider, I wanted to clean up my own mess before I left.

Luna was resting on the couch in Felix's office, pale-faced and fragile-looking. When she saw me, she extended her hand politely.

"I've heard of you, Sera," she said. "I'm Luna. You've heard of me, I assume?"

I nodded. I shook her hand briefly. Her grip was cold and calculating.

My hand was full of transfer documents. I looked around. Felix wasn't there.

"Looking for Felix?" she asked, a hint of smugness in her voice. "He went home to make me soup."

"I heard you two were together. Getting engaged soon."

I looked at Luna's victorious expression. She was enjoying this. Every second of it.

I had no desire to engage with her. I nodded once and turned to leave.

Then she called after me.

"Sera, how long are you going to pretend not to see it?"

I stopped but didn't turn around.

"I heard what happened. Felix got drunk. He was holding you, but he called you by my name. Did you notice today's outfit looks exactly like mine? Except yours is last season's. Mine is the latest."

She stepped closer, her high heels clicking on the marble floor.

"I don't want you interfering in my relationship with Felix anymore. You know the truth. He has only ever loved me. From the beginning to the end."

She paused for effect.

"As for you? A substitute? A fake?"

I didn't answer. I just found the whole thing exhausting. Two grown adults playing games, and I was caught in the middle.

I turned to leave. The door opened before I reached it.

Felix. He was out of breath, carrying a paper bag of takeout soup. His eyes were frantic with worry.

He really did care about Luna.

"Sera? What are you doing here?"

Before I could answer, Luna started gasping behind me. Her breathing became irregular. Her pale face turned red. She clutched her chest and staggered.

"Felix… I can't breathe…"

She looked at me with wide, fearful eyes.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have upset your fiancée. I deserved to be yelled at. Sera, I'm sorry—"

Felix rushed to her. He soothed her, pulling an inhaler from his pocket.

"Breathe slowly. In and out. I'm here."

Then he turned to me, his face tight with annoyance.

"Luna has asthma. She can't handle stress. Why can't you be more careful?"

He waved me away.

"Forget it. Just go."