Chapter 4

No footsteps followed me.

He had always cared deeply about appearances, and he'd long since grown used to my patience and understanding.

He probably thought this would end like every other argument: I'd go cool off somewhere, then come back once I'd gotten over it.

12:30 p.m. The café downstairs from his office.

I sat in a corner by the window. The only things in front of me were a glass of water and the few personal belongings I'd just packed up from the office.

Ding.

The wind chime above the café door rang.

Zach pushed through the door with a bouquet of red roses in one hand and a gift box from a luxury brand in the other.

He walked over, set the flowers and gift box on the table, and took the seat across from me with a placating smile. "Still mad?" He unbuttoned his suit jacket and spoke in a gentler tone. "I know I was a little harsh this morning, but everyone was there. You told me to throw away Lily's mug in front of the whole office. You made me look bad. I ran out and bought you this bag as soon as lunch break started. Here, take it. Stop making such a fuss."

I kept my eyes on the roses and gift box, not even bothering to look up. "Zach." My voice was as calm as if I were talking about the weather. "Let's stop beating around the bush."

Zach raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that? If I did something wrong, I'll apologize."

I looked him straight in the eye and gave him a choice. "Only one of us stays at the company. Her or me?"

Zach's smile froze, then gave way to disbelief and anger. "Eva, what are you trying to do?" He lowered his voice, but he couldn't hide his outrage. "Do you have any idea what you're saying? Over a stupid mug? You want me to kick my mentor's daughter out of the company?"

"It's not about the mug," I answered calmly.

"Then what is this about?" Zach's face flushed red. "You used to be so understanding. When did you become so mean? Lily just started her internship. What has she done wrong? You're asking me to be ungrateful to someone who's done so much for me! What kind of person would that make me?"

"Ungrateful?" I looked at how worked up he was and couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh.

How ironic.

Years ago, when an out-of-control e-bike came hurtling toward me, Zach threw himself in front of me. I fell in love with him for that courage and sense of responsibility. Now, that same need to play the hero was exactly what made me despise him.

"Eva, you've really let me down!" Thinking I was just too proud to back down, Zach said, "Fine. Go cool off. When you've come to your senses and you're ready to stop being unreasonable, come talk to me." With that, he turned and walked out of the café.

He really believed I would never leave him.

He thought all he had to do was ignore me for a few days, and I'd come crawling back to apologize like I always did.

I gathered up the roses and the box, walked over to the cafe's trash can, and dropped them in without hesitation.

I grabbed my purse, took a cab home, picked up my suitcase, and headed straight for the airport.

In the departure lounge, I pulled the SIM card out of my phone and threw it in the trash.

The boarding announcement came over the speakers, loud and clear.

I picked up my passport and ticket and walked straight into the security line.