Chapter 3

3.

I didn't look back as I walked to my car.

As soon as I got to the office, the manager announced that the company was sending two people to the London branch for an advanced training program. Everyone was scrambling to sign up.

Since I started here after college, there had been three other opportunities like this. This was the fourth.

Most of the people who started at the same time as me had already gone. They always came back after a year with massive raises and promotions.

I had always turned them down because I didn't want to leave Sebastian. I couldn't handle the thought of long-distance.

Looking back now, I realized I was thirty years old and my life was a mess.

Emotionally, I had spent seven years chasing a man who wouldn't even commit to a wedding date. My life revolved around Josie Miller's marriage schedule.

Professionally, I was stagnant. People my age were already in management, while I was still doing entry-level grunt work.

It was time to change.

I walked into the director's office to put my name on the list. She had been my boss since day one and looked genuinely shocked to see me.

"Nora? You're finally applying? Did you and your boyfriend finally work things out?"

I shook my head.

"This is my decision. I want to move up in my career."

The director patted my shoulder with a proud smile.

"Good for you. A career is the only thing that's truly yours. You can't live for a man forever. I'm sure he'll understand."

I tightened my lips and didn't say a word.

I spent the rest of the day buried in work. Surprisingly, I didn't think about Sebastian once. I stopped checking my phone for his texts.

The moment I signed that application, my only worry was whether I'd get picked, not how Sebastian would react.

I think I truly checked out the moment he left me at that 100th party.

To my surprise, Sebastian texted me right before the end of the day.

"I'll pick you up after work. Let's go to dinner. I want to make up for your birthday yesterday."

I thought about it for a second and agreed.

It was the perfect time to tell him. Regardless of the job in London, I was done with him.

When I stepped outside, I saw his familiar black SUV. I opened the back door and sat down.

Sebastian frowned in the rearview mirror.

"Why are you sitting in the back?"

I didn't answer. My eyes were fixed on the passenger seat, which was decorated with a cartoon sticker that said "Josie's Throne."

Ever since he got this car, that seat belonged to her if she was around.

I had fought him about it once, but he told me I was being unreasonable. He said it was just a seat.

He claimed Josie's anxiety was better if she sat closer to him, and he called me heartless for complaining.

After that, I stopped riding in his car altogether to avoid the headache.

Even when she wasn't here, she left her mark to spite me.

In the past, seeing that sticker would have made my blood boil.

Now, I felt absolutely nothing.