Chapter 4

The next morning, I got up early to pack what I'd need at my new research center.

I had a little workspace at home where I kept my herbs and the notes I'd collected over the years.

My old project was over, but I still had my experience. I could make a fresh start somewhere else.

But when I opened the door, I froze.

Several packets of herbs had been torn open. The herbs I'd kept separate were mixed together and scattered across the table.

I'd spent months collecting and preparing them. Some were impossible to sort out now.

I gathered up the ruined herbs and went to the kitchen. Emma was making tea.

“Were you in my workspace yesterday?”

She blinked, then nodded.

“Yeah. I needed some herbs for today's case demonstration. Blake said you had some, so I went in to look.”

“Did you open all those packets on my desk?”

“Um, yeah. I couldn't find what I needed, so I opened a few to check.”

“You mixed them all together. I can't use them now.”

Emma set down her mug. Her face went pale.

“I'm sorry. I didn't know they had to stay separate. I thought they were just ordinary herbs.”

“Then why didn't you ask me first?”

“You'd already gone to your room. I didn't want to bother you.”

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

She didn't want to wake me, but going through all my things without asking was fine?

Blake came in from the living room when he heard us arguing.

“What's going on?”

I put the herbs in front of him. “Emma went into my workspace and ruined herbs I spent months preparing.”

He gave Emma a light flick on the forehead.

“You're such a klutz. Don't go messing with Paige's stuff again, okay?”

He was practically smiling.

Then he turned to me. “Come on, she didn't mean to. They're just herbs. Can't you get some more?”

“I spent months getting these ready. Some are hard to find. I can't just go out and buy them again.”

Blake frowned.

“Emma made a mistake. Do you really have to get this upset?”

I looked at him. I didn't even know what to say anymore.

Months of work meant less to him than Emma feeling upset for a moment.

The front door opened. Eli and Zane came in carrying breakfast.

“What's going on?” Eli asked, setting the paper bag on the table.

Blake gave them a quick rundown.

Eli looked at me. “Paige, why don't you eat something first? You can find more herbs later. Don't worry so much.”

Zane cut in. “Come on, Paige. She said she's sorry. Do you really need to make her feel worse before her big day?”

I looked down at the breakfast they'd brought.

Cinnamon rolls. Blueberry muffins. Emma's usual coffee.

“Did you get any honey oat bread?” I asked.

None of them answered.

I gave a small, bitter smile.

“I said yesterday that I wanted some.”

Blake's face darkened.

“Seriously, Paige? You're making a big deal out of breakfast now?”

Eli tried to calm me down.

“We can get you something else. Just tell me what you want.”

Zane frowned.

“You can find more herbs, and we can get you something else for breakfast. Paige, why are you being so difficult today?”

I stared at them. All the hurt I'd swallowed for so long finally came rushing up.

“Right. Because nothing is ever a big deal to you.”

I pointed at the herbs on the table.

“Did it ever occur to any of you that I spent months on these? That they matter to me?”

No one said a word.

I grabbed my notes and my bag and walked out.

Back at the research center, a colleague helped me check for backup herbs. Luckily, we still had some of the rare ones Emma had ruined. I could still start my new job.

My colleague helped me sort things out. “So you're really leaving?”

“Yeah. Thanks for helping me.”

By the time I got home, everyone had left for work.

I packed my remaining clothes and documents, then placed my spare house key in the middle of the dining table.

It was Blake's house. When he'd asked me to move in, I'd believed it would be our home.

Now I knew better. It had never really been mine.

On the way to the airport, I sent Celia my flight details. She replied right away and said she'd already arranged a place for me to stay.

I'd barely entered the departures hall when another message from Blake came through.

[Emma left some herbal supplies at home. You're free today, right? Can you drop them off at the treatment center? She needs them for her demonstration.]

I didn't answer. I blocked him.

Then I blocked Emma, Eli, and Zane.

Finally, I opened the group chat we'd shared for more than ten years and left it.

When my flight was called, I stood up and pulled my suitcase behind me.

After takeoff, the city disappeared beneath the clouds.

From now on, they were out of my life for good.

And mine was finally beginning again.