Chapter 4

The next second, Caleb strode past me.

He brushed past me so forcefully that I staggered.

He searched the living room, the bedroom, and even the jewelry box I had left on the table.

Finally, he emerged with a grim expression.

“Shannon, where is it?”

I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear. I was just about to tell him I had thrown away everything I did not need and was about to leave.

Suddenly, he raised his voice and demanded harshly once more, “Is the bracelet that Claire’s mother left her with you?”

I froze. My mind went blank.

“What?”

Caleb looked somewhat impatient.

“Do you realize that that’s the most important thing to Claire? Even if you harbor some resentment, you shouldn’t just take other people’s things. Shannon Lane, this is a matter of character!”

Only then did I realize what was going on. Claire’s bracelet was missing, and he suspected I had taken it.

The absurdity and outrage made my whole body tremble. I could not help but ask, “Caleb, is that how you see me?”

“Who else could it be? Who else in this house would take it besides you?”

His categorical answer left my heart completely numb.

Just then, Claire suddenly called, saying she had found the bracelet.

“It accidentally fell into a crevice. It’s all my fault for being so careless. Caleb, you didn’t get mad at Shannon, did you?”

Caleb’s anger vanished instantly. He hurriedly said it was good that she had found it, then carefully reminded her to keep such a valuable item safe.

After hanging up the phone, he turned to look at me. I had not spoken a word since then.

Caleb was silent for a moment, then said, “Everything’s fine now.”

I had completely lost any desire to communicate with him, so I pressed my lips together and said nothing.

Claire sent a few more text messages to Caleb, but he did not look at them. Instead, his gaze fell on the suitcase by the door.

He turned to look at me. “Are you going on a business trip?”

“Yeah.”

For some reason, he seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

He walked toward the door while looking down to reply to Claire’s messages.

“I’ve got a few things to take care of here. I’ll meet you directly at the movie theater later.

“The movie starts at 9:30 p.m. Don’t be late.”

With that, he slammed the door shut.

After Caleb left, I stayed there for goodness knows how long before I let out a deep sigh.

I exhaled all the grievances, sadness, and resentment I had held inside for the past seven years. I let them all out in one long breath.

Then, I walked out the door, pulling my suitcase behind me.

At midnight, I was ready to board my flight.

Before getting on the plane, I opened my chat with Caleb.

Two hours had passed, and I still had not received a message from him asking why I had not shown up at the movie theater.

Just as I was about to turn off my phone, it finally vibrated. It was a message from Caleb.

[Claire is in the hospital and needs constant care. You’ll have to watch the movie on your own for now.]

When I read this message, I felt nothing.

Sure enough, he had not shown up for our date this time either.

I picked up my phone with a neutral expression. Just as I was about to text Caleb, his message arrived first.

[The furniture set you picked out is really nice, especially the couch. I really like it.]

[You have great taste. I’ll go with you to the store tomorrow to finalize the order.]

[Don’t worry. I definitely won’t stand you up this time.]

My heart remained completely still. Without a moment’s hesitation, I sent the message I had just typed.

[No need. I’ve already sold our wedding home.]

[Caleb, let’s break up.]

The next second, my phone started vibrating wildly.

Caleb’s messages came flooding in.