Chapter 3

"I said I'd buy you a present yesterday, but I didn't get the chance. Today... I'm making it up to you."

I froze for a moment. Only then did I remember what she'd said before leaving yesterday. "I'll bring you a present when I come home tonight."

I hadn't expected her to remember.

But when I glanced at the receipt, I saw that she'd bought the bag only half an hour ago. She'd probably noticed that I'd liked Dylan's post and felt guilty. Thus, she'd casually picked up a bag from a nearby boutique as compensation.

I didn't take it or say anything.

Victoria placed the bag on the bed and hesitated. "By the way, about next month's Best Employee selection at the firm, could you..."

"Give it to Dylan?"

She clearly hadn't expected me to say it first. She nodded awkwardly. "He's just starting out. He really needs the recognition. You've already won it several times..."

So even this casually bought gift came with a price.

I nodded. "Okay."

She froze, perhaps because she hadn't expected me to agree so readily.

"You... aren't angry?"

I shook my head. There was nothing to be angry about. From now on, I didn't need anything Dylan wanted, whether it was the Best Employee award or Victoria's affection.

Her expression relaxed. "Dylan is my mentee. You're practically his mentor too, so you should be a little more generous. Oh, right. Let's make time to go to City Hall tomorrow morning."

I looked at her without saying anything.

Then she seemed to remember something. "I almost forgot you're going on a business trip. What time is your flight tomorrow?"

"3:00 p.m.," I answered.

"Then we'll have plenty of time," she replied immediately, her tone certain. "10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Meet me outside City Hall. I've already hired a photographer to follow us around, and I've even paid the deposit."

I was about to tell her there was no need. There was no point in getting a marriage license anymore.

But her phone rang again at that exact moment. Once again, Dylan's name appeared on the screen.

His soft, pitiful voice came through the phone. His stomach hurt badly, and he asked if Victoria could take him to the hospital.

After she hung up, a rare flicker of hesitation crossed her face.

"Go," I said.

Relief washed over her face. She stepped forward and hugged me. "Make sure you look handsome tomorrow. I'll definitely be there. I won't stand you up."

With that, she grabbed her coat and walked out.

The moment the door closed, I glanced at the LV bag on the bed. The receipt was still tucked inside.

I didn't open the bag. I left everything exactly as it was and placed it on the highest shelf of the wardrobe. Two more bags sat inside, identical in design but different in color. Both were gifts she'd "casually" picked up for me before.

…

The next morning, at 9:30 a.m., I zipped up my final suitcase and looked around the room.

Victoria's clothes hung neatly inside the wardrobe. My side was completely empty.

At 9:45 a.m., only 15 minutes remained until the time she'd promised to meet me at City Hall to get our marriage license.

I called a taxi and headed to the airport.

10:00 a.m. came and went. Her chat window on my phone remained completely silent. There wasn't a single message or call.

Even by noon, I still hadn't heard from her. She hadn't even called to ask why I hadn't shown up at City Hall.

…

That afternoon, after checking in for my flight, I walked to the gate and prepared to board.

Finally, my phone buzzed. It was Victoria. Two messages arrived one after the other.

Victoria: [Honey, Dylan can't leave the hospital, so I'm afraid we won't make it to City Hall today.]

Victoria: [When you get back from your business trip, I'll pick you up at the airport. We'll go straight to City Hall. I absolutely won't let anything get in the way this time.]

I felt nothing as I read her messages. Just as I'd expected, she hadn't shown up for our 18th attempt either.

My expression remained calm as I picked up my phone and typed my reply one word at a time.

[No need, Victoria. I've already resigned, and I'm about to start a new job overseas. After today, we're strangers.]

After sending the message, I was about to turn off my phone.

But the next second, the screen suddenly lit up. A familiar number appeared on the caller ID, flashing over and over as the phone continued to ring.