Chapter 1

I received a message from the law firm’s HR department.

[Does the attorney, Mr. Caleb Graham, know you’re planning to resign?]

[He doesn’t need to know.]

After replying to HR’s message, I pushed open the front door to my home.

Claire Silva was sitting in the massage chair I had bought, holding a cup of hot cocoa.

She was chatting happily with Caleb.

When he saw me, there was not a single trace of guilt on Caleb’s face.

He just said casually, “Claire is on her period and isn’t feeling well. We happen to have a massage chair at home.

“I plan to give this chair to Claire. We’re moving anyway, and we can’t take that much stuff with us.”

Claire smiled at me and said softly, “Thank you, Shannon.”

They seemed so at ease with each other that my joining them felt a bit abrupt.

After thinking it over, I decided to wait until it was just the two of us to tell him about the breakup.

It would be a dignified way to end our seven-year relationship.

I turned and walked into the bathroom.

While I was washing up, I booked my flight abroad.

Outside the door, the two of them were still talking. Occasionally, Caleb’s soft laughter filled the air.

I looked at the matching toothbrush cups sitting on the sink. For a moment, I could not remember the last time Caleb had been so cheerful when talking to me.

It seemed to be last month on our anniversary. In a rare move, Caleb got off work early and treated the entire law firm to a team-building outing.

On the way there, he talked more than usual.

He was even gentler with his subordinates.

When I saw his playful expression, I thought he was just happy about our anniversary.

I could not help but laugh along with him.

However, the very next second, Claire appeared on the scene, soaking wet.

I instinctively looked at Caleb, but he acted even faster than I did.

He took off his jacket, strode over, wrapped it around Claire, and led her away.

It was only then that I realized Caleb had been so happy because Claire had just gotten divorced.

They did not come back that night. I forced myself to hold back my sadness and hosted the rest of the team-building event for him.

Afterward, I went home alone amid a sea of sympathetic glances.

Looking back, I realize I should have broken up with him that very day.

It was just that I was unwilling to accept it, so I dragged things out until today before I could finally let go.

At 7 p.m., Caleb invited Claire to stay for dinner.

I did not join them; instead, I turned and went back to my bedroom.