All Chapters of Ditching Her When the Storm Comes In: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

On the third day after the typhoon passed, Joyce Lane finally contacted me.The text read, "Come pick me up at Fin's place. He's busy—can't drive me back."In the past, whenever she called, I would drop everything and go.This time, I replied while waiting for my oatmeal to finish cooking. "Just take a cab."Half an hour later, Joyce dragged her suitcase through the door, her face dark with irritation. "I just got home, and you're already eating?"I paused, spoon halfway to my mouth, and looked up at her, confused.With an impatient huff, Joyce shrugged off her coat. "Stop eating and wash the clothes in my suitcase first. The power at Fin's house got knocked out by the typhoon yesterday. I didn't even get to shower."With that, she walked toward the bathroom."I'm busy. Just toss them in the washing machine," I said evenly.Joyce stopped in her tracks. She frowned, glaring at me with clear displeasure. "Harry, are you done sulking yet? The typhoon was dangerous. You were takin

Chapter 2

Joyce glanced at my expression, as if waiting for me to say something.There were always so many things involving Finley, and every time I asked in the past, I got chewed out.This time, I said nothing.Ten minutes later, Joyce suddenly smacked the steering wheel and snapped at me, "Cat got your tongue? Ask what you want to ask!"I looked at her, puzzled. "I don't have anything to ask."Joyce fumed silently for a long moment before she finally spoke, her face stiffened. "That sticker? Fin put it on. I figured the car needed washing soon, so I didn't stop him. There's nothing going on between him and me, so don't get all jealous over nothing!"I hummed noncommittally. Honestly, I didn't care what happened between them anymore.Joyce glanced at me, continuing, "When the typhoon hit, I stayed at his place because I was worried about your safety on the road. Fin's young and staying alone, and I figured I might as well keep him company. But I only think of him as a junior, nothing el

Chapter 3

"You look stunning, Joyce!" Finley exclaimed, his eyes shining, brimming with possessiveness.When I passed by, Joyce shot me a look, then moved right up to Finley, her voice soft and seductive. "Fin, can you help me with this zipper?"Finley gave me a pointed look, pretending to hesitate. "Joyce, are you sure that's okay? Isn't it better to let Harry help you?"Joyce snorted. "What? Why would it not be okay? Just do it."And right in front of me, she let Finley zip up her dress and walked out, linking her arm with him intimately.I knew she was trying to provoke me.In the past, seeing her act so close to Finley would've driven me mad—I'd have stopped her from leaving.Now, I felt nothing but calm.Late that night, I was suddenly woken by a call.It was Joyce's best friend, Queenie Stone."Harry, Joyce's drunk—come get her at the Imperial Club!"She even sent a photo. In it, Joyce was leaning against Finley, holding him closely around the neck.In the past, Joyce's friends

Chapter 4

I heard the living room door open, so I guessed Joyce had left.In the past, if she'd gone out in the middle of the night, I would've chased after her immediately. But this time, I turned off the lights and went back to sleep.I didn't know where Joyce went, but I knew she would be fine.When I woke up the next morning, she still hadn't returned.My flight home was tomorrow. I'd just finished packing when my friend called to set up a farewell dinner for me.When I was dating Joyce, she wouldn't let me go out drinking and even restricted me from hanging out with my friends. Over the past year, my friends and I barely got together.Now that I was leaving, I wanted to have a proper night out drinking with my friends.I checked into a hotel and headed straight to the private room downstairs.Everyone at the table was an old friend I'd known for years—except for one unfamiliar face, a young woman in her early 20s.My friend, Kelvin Walker, smiled as he introduced her to me."This

Chapter 5

"Harry, are you going back to Jeston? Why didn't you tell me? I'm your girlfriend! Why am I the last person to know? Do I even matter to you?"Joyce had completely abandoned decorum, collapsing into a desperate confrontation.I froze for a moment, unsure—were those tears glinting in her eyes?Joyce had always been the one in control in our relationship. And now… She was crying over me?Then it hit me. I had been her plaything all along, and now that I was leaving, of course, she'd feel the loss.I said calmly, "You blocked me. How was I supposed to tell you?"Joyce's expression turned anxious, and she tried to argue. "But… Even if you couldn't reach me, you could've looked for my friends! You deliberately kept it from me!"I've already been patient with you these past few days. How could you break up with me? How could you just leave without saying a word?"I had no words. I'd seen her twist the truth countless times before, but it still left me speechless.The others exchange

Chapter 6

"How many times do I have to tell you before you understand? He came after me just now, but I told him to leave!"Joyce's sharp words drew curious glances from everyone nearby.I pulled her aside, away from the crowd. "Joyce, calm down. It's over. We're done. I don't care if you want to be with Finley or anyone else. It's got nothing to do with me anymore."Joyce stared at me in stunned silence. After a long moment, her voice shook as she asked, "So… You're really breaking up with me?""Yes."My answer was blunt and final, and I could see the hurt deepen in her eyes.She choked back tears for a long while before whispering hoarsely, "When's your flight?""Tomorrow.""Cancel it. Let's go home first and talk things through, okay?" Joyce gripped my hand, struggling to keep her emotions in check.I shook my head. "No. I've already moved my things out."Joyce was stunned. She couldn't believe that in just one day, I had packed up and gotten ready to leave.Right when she wanted t

Chapter 7

Four hours later, the plane touched down. My parents were already waiting for me at the airport.Time had left its mark. My mother had more wrinkles on her face, and my father's shoulders had a noticeable slump.A lump formed in my throat. I had spent years fighting with them over Joyce, even driving them to cut me off. And yet, they were here, welcoming me home.I wiped at the corner of my eye and hurried forward, greeting them with a smile.My mother dabbed at her own eyes, gave me a playful scold, and swatted my arm. "You little brat—you finally came back!"We headed back to the mansion. My grandfather was already there, smiling warmly. He didn't scold me either. Instead, he smiled and said, "Welcome home. It's good to have you back."After our first meal together in a long while, I returned to my room, only to see my phone buzzing relentlessly with missed calls from Joyce.I was about to block her when the phone rang again.On the line, Joyce sobbed and asked, "Harry, have

Chapter 8

My grandfather's words hit me like a spark. If Joyce had come all this way, I might as well clear things up.I stepped outside and immediately saw Joyce. She stood under the old oak, wearing a light, whimsical dress, hands clasped behind her back, a canvas bag slung over her shoulder—just like the first time we met.For a moment, I almost felt transported back in time. Something deep within me stirred.But that feeling passed quickly. Five years of giving everything, of bending over backward for her, had left scars far deeper than nostalgia could touch.I remembered how I used to beg her to wear that same dress again.She had sneered at me then, impatient and mocking, "Harry, are you serious? I hate this kind of whimsical dress!"After that, I never asked again.And now, after all this time, she had chosen to wear it on her own. But it didn't matter anymore."Harry!"Joyce ran toward me, smiling, but her face wasn't the innocent, youthful one I remembered.She reached for my

Chapter 9

Right then, a clear, melodious voice rang out."Hello? Is this the Sutton residence?"I turned and saw Bianca, the lady Kelvin had introduced me to at the farewell dinner.I shook off Joyce's hand and went to greet Bianca.That was when I found out that the lady my grandfather had set me up with was her. It really was a funny coincidence."Come in," I said, smiling. "Grandpa was just talking about you."Bianca nodded politely, then glanced at Joyce.Joyce stood off to the side, eyes red, looking pitiful and aggrieved.If this were the past, I'd have rushed to comfort her, holding her close to ease her pain.But now, I felt nothing. This was just another of her stunts to grab my attention.I walked past Joyce with Bianca without so much as a glance. It wasn't until we got to the main entrance that I heard her calling out pitifully, "Harry!"I didn't look back. I smiled at Bianca and stepped inside.My grandfather welcomed us, and after a brief chat, he left us alone.Alone

Chapter 10

I quickly apologized to Bianca, telling her not to bother with the search and that Joyce had already gone back.Although Bianca didn't mind the hassle, I couldn't shake the feeling I'd been played again. This wasn't the first time.Whenever I'd upset Joyce in the past, she'd find a way to punish me by tricking me.There was that time she pretended to be sick—she hadn't been—just to make me walk nearly 20 miles through a storm to buy her breakfast.By the time I got back, I was the one coming down with something. Joyce smirked and said, "How stupid can you be? I told you to go, and you really went. Just because I said I was sick, does that mean I actually was? You should've just come over to check on me first."Looking back, I wanted to smack myself for being a fool, a humiliating one at that. But I would never fall for her tricks again.The following days passed quietly, and life slowly returned to normal.I thought Joyce would fade completely from my world, but not long after t

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