Chapter 3

3

When I got home, Elena was nowhere to be seen.

Silas was sprawled on the sofa playing video games. When he saw me come in, he stood up with a grin and patted the seat next to him.

"Hey Lucas, you're here! Sit down, make yourself at home."

He acted like he was the owner of the house and I was just a guest.

I ignored him and walked straight toward the study.

As soon as my hand touched the doorknob, Silas's voice drifted over, sounding hurt.

"Elena, I don't think Lucas wants me here. Maybe I shouldn't have asked you guys for a ride to the hospital."

Elena's voice exploded from the hallway. "Lucas! What is your problem? Can you stop being such a jerk to Silas for five seconds?"

I turned around and saw Elena wrapped in a bath towel, pulling Silas into a hug.

The red marks on her collarbone were vivid and fresh. They hadn't exactly been subtle.

In the past, I would have screamed at Silas and told Elena she was being reckless.

But now, I felt absolutely nothing.

Elena rolled her eyes at me. "I don't get why you hate him so much. I told you, he's just the boy from next door. His grandma took care of me when I was a kid. I'm just returning the favor."

I nodded slowly. "I get it. You do what you have to do."

What else was there to say?

She remembered every little favor from the Blackwood family, but she had forgotten every sacrifice I made over the last decade.

Elena loved good food but was obsessed with her figure. I took cooking classes to learn how to prep healthy, delicious meals for her.

Every time she stepped on the scale and saw she hadn't gained a pound, she'd kiss me and say, "I'm so lucky to have you. You're a treasure, Lucas."

But ever since Silas came back, he had been taking her out for greasy fast food and late-night drinks. She had gained fifteen pounds in a month.

Instead of blaming him, she yelled at me, saying my cooking was a waste of money and didn't work.

Elena was a workaholic, so I did all the housework to give her a peaceful home.

At first, she felt guilty and tried to help.

But once Silas arrived, her schedule was full. She had no time for chores, and no time for me.

Silas suddenly pulled away from Elena and ran to the kitchen. He brought out two bowls of ginger tea and shoved one into my hand.

"Elena made this. Have some, Lucas. We wouldn't want you catching a cold after being out in the rain."

I stared at the warm bowl, feeling a bit lost.

In the early days of her business, Elena hated networking events. I would go with her, drinking heavily to keep the investors happy while she stayed sober.

One night, I asked her if she could make me some soup to help with the hangover.

She had looked conflicted. "Lucas, I tried to cook once and almost burned the house down. I haven't touched a stove since then."

I felt bad for asking and never brought it up again.

It turned out she could overcome her fear of the kitchen; I just wasn't the person she was willing to do it for.

I set the bowl down on the table. That simple action set Elena off.

She snatched the bowl and dumped the tea straight into the trash right in front of me.

"Fine. Don't drink it. Silas was trying to be nice, and you're just being an ungrateful prick."

Silas acted startled and hurried to soothe her. "Elena, it's okay. Lucas just loves you too much. You should be nicer to him, or he might get sad and leave."

Elena let out a sharp laugh. "Him? Leave? He wouldn't dare."

I wasn't in the mood for their little performance. I checked the time and gave them a flat look. "If you're done playing house, shouldn't we be going to the hospital?"

Elena looked between Silas and me for a moment, then pointed toward the front door.

"Go wait by the car. I don't want you bothering Silas while I'm getting dressed."

"Sure," I said, walking away without looking back.

Silas followed me to the door. Once he was sure Elena couldn't hear us, his face twisted into a smug sneer.

"Lucas, it looks like Elena doesn't love you as much as you thought, huh?"

I replied casually, "Oh."

Silas didn't get the reaction he wanted. He slammed the door shut. "Stop acting like you don't care. Once a lapdog, always a lapdog."

I guess these days, loving someone with all your heart just earns you a pathetic nickname.

I shook my head and waited outside for ten minutes.

They didn't come out.

I didn't stay by the door like a servant. I went and sat in the car.

About thirty minutes later, they finally showed up.

Elena had a small fresh cut on her lip.

When she saw me looking, she nervously tugged at her shirt and climbed into the backseat with Silas.

I didn't ask questions. I just drove silently toward the hospital.

Maybe she felt a little guilty because she stopped snapping at me for the rest of the ride.

Elena had bought a bunch of expensive supplements and gift baskets that were too heavy for her to carry.

Before she could even ask, I reached out and took them. "Which floor?"

Elena seemed pleased with my obedience and actually gave me a small smile. "Seventh floor."

We walked a few steps before she stopped and turned to me.

"Listen, when we get up there, you're just my employee. My driver. Put the stuff down and leave immediately. Silas's grandma doesn't know about us."

I immediately took a step back to create some distance. "Copy that, Boss."

Elena looked confused, like she wanted to ask what was wrong with me.

Silas didn't give her the chance. He grabbed her arm. "Elena, Nana said she missed us. Let's go."

I followed behind them. As soon as we got to the room, I dropped the bags and walked out, just like she wanted.

I caught a glimpse of Silas's grandmother. She looked very frail.

Elena didn't come home that night. She just sent a text.

"I'm staying with Silas to help plan the wedding reception. I'll be back in a week. Wait for me."

A week. Exactly when I was planning to leave.

I replied: "Go ahead and pay back your debt of gratitude. Let's call it quits. Don't worry the old lady on my account."

I thought about it and realized I needed to be more direct. I sent another message.

"We're over. It's a breakup."