Chapter 3

3

When they reunited, it was like a wildfire.

Everything I had hoped for turned to ash in an instant.

I went back to the house we shared to pack my things. When I pushed the door open, my blood boiled.

They were curled up on the sofa together, laughing and feeding each other snacks while watching a movie.

Anyone walking in would think it was their home.

"Beckett! Are you serious right now?" I yelled. "I don't care what you do outside, but you do not bring her here! This is my house!"

Beckett didn't even look guilty. He just turned his head lazily.

"Don't be so stingy. Clementine just got back and she has nowhere else to go. It's natural for her to stay with me. Stop being so disgusting and judgmental."

I almost laughed. They were posting photos from a motel, and he was calling me judgmental?

I gave him a cold smile. "Fine. Since you're back, let's be clear. I bought this house. But you can have it. It's tainted now, and I don't want it."

"From now on, we are strangers. Go chase your 'true love' as much as you want."

I turned to walk away.

Beckett's smirk vanished. He probably thought I'd just scream and then we'd go back to normal.

He had never seen me look at him with such indifference. For the first time, he looked panicked.

He actually tried to placate me. "Look, I know I messed up. I'll apologize, okay? Are you happy now?"

His voice was full of irritation, not regret. I just shook my head.

I had given him too many chances. He needed to learn that life doesn't give you infinite do-overs.

When he realized I was actually leaving, he snapped.

"Who do you think you are! Do you think I would have stayed with you if you didn't have money? If you leave me, you'll never find a man better than me!"

Even now, he acted like he was the prize.

He had zero self-awareness.

I didn't even bother responding. I just shut the door behind me.

I could hear him screaming curses through the wood as I walked to my car.

Life without me wasn't easy for Beckett. All his connections and luxuries came from my family.

My parents weren't fools; they heard about the engagement party disaster.

When his main source of income was cut off, he had to survive on his five-thousand-dollar-a-month salary.

For a man who spent like a king, that was a death sentence.

A few weeks later, Beckett walked into my office.

He was smiling, and for a split second, I felt a pang of nostalgia. He looked like the man I loved before Clementine returned.

He was holding two shopping bags from a high-end boutique.

He looked almost shy as he approached my desk.

"Elara, the seasons are changing. I noticed your old clothes are out of style. I spent all afternoon picking these out for you. Try them on!"

In the past, I would have been overjoyed.

But now, I just sat there. I didn't even reach for the bags.

His hand stayed awkwardly in the air. When he realized I wasn't going to take them, he pulled a dress out.

"Come on! I bought these based on your taste!"

He looked so desperate that I almost felt a flicker of pity. I wondered if I had been too harsh.

But as soon as I looked at the dress, the pity vanished. A wave of icy realization hit me.

The dress was a size 2. I was a size 6.

Clementine was a size 2.

He hadn't spent the afternoon thinking of me. He had been out shopping with her and bought me her leftovers as an afterthought.

Was I a dog to be thrown scraps?

I let out a long, tired sigh. "These are too small. I can't wear them."