Chapter 3

Saturday morning, I was in my new apartment, unpacking, when it started to pour outside.

I had only just finished when my phone vibrated where I had placed it on the table. Upon checking it, I saw that Daniel had sent me a photo.

The background was that of a luxurious hotel suite. Sharon, clad only in a bathrobe, was asleep on the bed, while Daniel's face loomed close to the camera, a challenging smile curving his lips.

There was also a voice message attached, which I played.

"Simon, Sharon had a bit too much to drink last night and kept tugging on my arm, refusing to let me leave. She told me that you were too boring, that being with you was too mundane and bland, and that she was so much happier with me. Don't be mad, okay? I'm just helping to take care of Sharon. I definitely don't have any ulterior motives."

If this had been in the past, I likely would've hopped onto the earliest flight possible and rushed over to settle the score with them.

Now, however, I only found their antics amusing.

I typed out a response. "Since you love to take care of her so much, you can have her. From now on, she's all yours."

After sending the message, I didn't hesitate to block his number.

However, less than five minutes later, Sharon called me; I accepted the call.

"Simon, Danny came crying to me about how you blocked his number?" Exhaustion laced her voice, which was somewhat hoarse from her hangover. "Is that really necessary? He's just a kid who graduated not that long ago! Why are you holding a grudge against him?"

Leaning by the window, I gazed coldly out at the raindrops sliding down the glass.

"He was in your room last night."

On the other end of the line, her breathing audibly stuttered. She clearly hadn't expected me to know that.

"That's only because we were drinking with the client last night! I had too much to drink, so he brought me back to my room! That's all!

"Simon Lane, could you not be so suspicious all the time? It's almost crazy how paranoid you are! I already told you that the man I love most is you! We're even getting our marriage registered next month!"

Chuckling softly, I replied, "There's no need for that. Let's cancel the wedding."

Sharon's voice abruptly climbed to a shriek, "Are you nuts? I've already sent out the invitations to all my friends and relatives! Now you're telling me you want to call off the wedding? You're trying to threaten me with this so that I'll apologize to you, aren't you? Fine! I'll apologize! I'm sorry, okay? Is that enough for you?"

I inhaled deeply but kept my voice calm and steady as I said, "There's no need to apologize to me. I'm being serious."

"Simon Lane!" she yelled my name, anxiously and angrily. "Stop pushing my buttons! I'm already exhausted enough from this work trip, so I don't have the time or energy to spare to play such games with you!

"I'll arrive at the airport at two in the afternoon tomorrow. You'd better be there to pick me up, or else I'm really going to be furious with you!"

Instead of wasting any more time on her, I directly ended the call. Then, I blocked her number and contact across all social media.

…

The rain didn't stop until it was two in the afternoon the next day, Sunday.

I was at my new place, sipping on a cup of freshly-brewed coffee.

Meanwhile, at my previous apartment building, Sharon had a thunderous scowl on her face as she lugged her suitcase behind her and came to a stop before our unit's front door, where she used her key to open it.

Behind her was Daniel, laden with bags while a smug smile played across his face.

"Sharon, Simon must be waiting for you at home, so just calm down, okay?" he urged insincerely.

"If he dares give me attitude, I'm going to have his head!" Sharon snapped through gritted teeth before shoving the door open. "Simon Lane, get the hell over here!"

Her enraged shout echoed through the empty living room, yet there was no response.

A beat later, Sharon was dumbfounded, for she had noticed that all of my belongings had disappeared from the living room, along with anything that we had shared.

Our photo together was gone from the TV cabinet, and every single one of my shoes was missing from the shoe cabinet. Even the cutlery and dinnerware hadn't been spared, with only half of them remaining in the kitchen.

The air felt empty and cold, as though it had been a while since anyone was here.

"Where is he?"

By this point, Sharon was starting to panic. She hastily made her way to our bedroom.

The closet doors were wide open, with all of my clothes gone from inside it. The only thing left behind was a piece of white paper, lying quietly in the empty space.

It was the rental agreement we signed back then, with my signature on it. Beside the signature was a new line of words.

"I've already ended the lease for this apartment and left the key with the management office. Let's never meet again."

Sharon's hands shook violently as she fumbled for her phone and dialed my number.

"Sorry, but the number you have dialed is not in service…"