All Chapters of His Couple's Ticket Always Has Three People: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

Michael was stuffing the spa voucher into my purse when Gina came back from the restroom.Seeing the corner of the paper peeking out, she giggled and pulled it halfway out."Oh, you’re actually giving it to Sharon? I thought you were just placating her earlier."Michael gently pressed her wrist down. His tone was perfectly casual. "Stop teasing. She’s sensitive."Gina blinked, but her fingers didn’t budge. "So when are you guys going? I should check if they use sulfur in their springs. We wouldn't want Sharon breaking out, right?"I stared at her. "My skin isn't sensitive."Gina froze for a fraction of a second, then quickly laughed it off. "I know, I know! I’m just being cautious for you. Don't be so serious all the time, it's a little scary."Michael frowned at me. "She’s just trying to help."There it was again.She’s just trying to help.Gina was always trying to help.She "helped" by testing the afternoon tea at my bridal shop. She "helped" by picking out the ma

Chapter 2

Before the review meeting started, Gina placed a hot Americano on my desk."Sharon, please don't be mad. I thought about it all night, and I really think you should lead the presentation after all."Her voice wasn't too loud, but it was just loud enough for everyone in the conference room to hear.Our colleagues looked up at me.Someone tried to break the tension with a chuckle. "Gina is honestly too sweet. She won the game last night, and now she’s giving up her presentation spotlight."I didn't touch the coffee. "The proposal was mine to begin with."The room fell dead silent.Gina’s eyes welled with tears instantly. "I didn't mean it like that. I just felt like you've been a bit off lately, and I didn't want you to feel too stressed on stage."Michael walked in just in time to catch her last words.He shot me a look. "Sharon, a proposal is never a one-person job."I opened my laptop. "Which is why I'm only asking, why am I not the one presenting it?"Michael placed hi

Chapter 3

Michael cornered me in the breakroom.He held the spa voucher in his hand, its edges creased from being gripped too tightly."What do you mean, 'updating your resume'?"I filled my cup with water. "Exactly what it sounds like."He tossed the voucher onto the counter. "You’re quitting? Just because of what happened last night and today?""It’s not just because of today.""Then what is it?"I looked at him. "It’s a thousand little things."Michael went quiet for a few seconds, his tone softening. "Sharon, I know you’ve been under a lot of pressure lately. You’ll still be leading the follow-ups for Riverview. “Earlier, I was just trying to spare Gina’s feelings."I looked him in the eyes. "And what about mine? You're worried about hurting her. What about me?"Michael’s brow furrowed. "You’ve always been the strong one."Strong.Sensible.Easygoing.Fearless.These labels were like a heavy coat of old armor that he had forced onto me. I had worn it for so long that

Chapter 4

When Saturday came, I still went to the dress fitting.Not for the wedding.But because Michael’s mother had called me three times."Sharon, I know you young people are going through a rough patch, but you don't throw a marriage away over a silly argument. “Just come over, get your measurements finalized, and don't make a scene in front of outsiders."Outsiders.I looked over at Gina, who was sitting on the couch sipping herbal tea.She was wearing a white satin dress, her hair swept up elegantly. It looked like she had tried on several outfits already.Michael stood right behind her, gently zipping up the back of her dress.Catching my reflection in the mirror, Gina spun around in a panic. "Sharon! Don't get the wrong idea. The stylist said I needed to try on the bridesmaid dresses."The stylist offered an awkward smile. "Actually, that one is a reception dress from the bridal collection."Michael shot the stylist a warning look. "She didn't know. You handed her the

Chapter 5

After leaving the bridal shop, I didn't go back to the apartment Michael and I shared.The passcode to that door was Gina’s birthday.Michael had claimed it was just easier to remember.When I asked him why he didn't use mine, he gave me an excuse."Your birthday has too many zeros in it. It’s annoying to type."And back then, I actually believed him.The cab pulled up outside an old apartment complex and I hauled my suitcase out of the trunk.My phone had twenty-seven missed calls.Sixteen from Michael.Six from his mother.Five from Gina.I didn't answer a single one.The landlord, an older woman, handed me the keys. "Living alone, dear?"I nodded."The place was just cleaned and the water heater works.""Thank you," I said.Once the door shut, the world finally went quiet.I placed the shattered jade pendant on the table, sealing it in a clear plastic bag.Then I opened my laptop and emailed the recruiter back.[I accepted the interview for the Seattle office. I c

Chapter 6

The resignation process moved much faster than I expected.The general manager personally called me into her office for a chat."The client for Riverview specifically requested you to lead this. If you leave, what happens to the project?""I can stay on as a consultant for two weeks to handle the transition," I said.The general manager studied me. "Michael mentioned you weren't in the right headspace."I forwarded her the client's email right then and there. "This is the feedback they sent yesterday. You can judge for yourself whether my headspace is the issue."She read it, then fell silent for a moment. "I'll put in a word with the Seattle office. Your position there is secure. “But you need to deliver the final presentation for Riverview first."I nodded. "I can do that."When I walked out of her office, Michael was standing at the end of the hallway.He was holding a brand-new jewelry box."Sharon."I stopped.He walked up and held the box out to me. "The jade

Chapter 7

The news of the canceled wedding was shared in the family group chat by Michael’s mother.[Mrs. Banks: The kids are too busy with work right now, so the wedding has been postponed.]My dad sent me a screenshot.[Dad: What does this mean?]I wrote back:[Sharon: We broke up.]A few minutes later, he called."When are you coming home?""This weekend," I replied.My mom piped up in the background. "Don't come back empty-handed. Bring your dirty laundry. Mom will wash it for you."My throat tightened. "I can wash it myself.""I know you can," she said. "I just want to do it."---After work on Friday, I went to our apartment to grab the last of my things.When the door opened, the living room was packed with people.Michael’s parents, a few of his relatives, and Gina were all sitting there. On the coffee table lay wedding favor samples and a seating chart.I froze at the entrance.Michael’s mother spoke first. "Sharon, you're just in time. I know you're upset, but si

Chapter 8

The day I started my new job in Seattle, it was drizzling.My new office was on the twelfth floor, with a window overlooking a narrow, winding canal.A colleague showed me around. "Sharon, here is your desk. The client files have already been synced to your system."I ran my hand over the clean, empty desktop.It was sparse and quiet. There were no flowers left by Gina and no jacket casually tossed over my chair by Michael.---At noon, headquarters issued an urgent notification.During the Riverview project debrief, the client had officially filed a complaint against Gina. She had altered the presentation formulas without authorization, resulting in a massive error in the Phase II budget projection.The general manager emailed me, asking if I could join the meeting remotely.When I clicked the link to log in, the other end of the screen was dead silent.Gina was sitting at the conference table, her eyes red and swollen. Michael sat right next to her, looking even wor

Chapter 9

Michael came to Seattle a week later.He didn't notify me beforehand.As I walked out after work, I saw him standing at the entrance of the building, clutching a paper shopping bag.The drizzle was light. He wasn't holding an umbrella and his shoulders were damp."Sharon."I stopped on the steps. "Do you need something?"He held out the bag. "Your things."Inside were a few old photo albums and the commemorative booklet from the company trivia night.I didn't take it. "You could have just mailed them.""I wanted to see you," he said quietly.I looked at him. He had lost a lot of weight. Dark circles hollowed out his eyes and his suit wasn't as sharp and pressed as it used to be."I was flipping through our college album, and I finally remembered how terrified of heights you are." He let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. "Look at me. I've been such a bastard."He swallowed hard. "That day we went hiking, you were shaking halfway up the trail, so I carried you down.

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