Chapter 3

3 After talking with my dad, I returned to the apartment I shared with Roxanne.

It was not until evening, when she finally woke up, that she realized I was back.

"Why didn't you wake me? Have you been sitting on the couch this whole time?"

Roxanne seemed slightly afraid that I was still angry about yesterday, so her tone softened.

"Yeah," I replied flatly.

She did not get mad, sitting down beside me instead.

"Corbin, do not be mad at me. Yesterday was my fault. Just give me another chance."

"Hey, let us go out for a nice dinner tonight. My treat."

I stared blankly at the TV screen, my face void of emotion.

"I have decided to take over the overseas branch."

Roxanne's face dropped instantly.

"When?"

"In two weeks at the latest. I just need to tie up a few loose ends at work."

Roxanne suddenly stood up and planted herself in front of me.

"Why didn't you discuss such a huge decision with me first?"

"If you leave the country, what am I supposed to do? Do you have the heart to abandon me here alone?"

I looked up at her, watching her interrogate me.

"I think this is for the best. We both need some space."

"Just like you said, a marriage license does not seem to matter that much anyway."

"Besides, this way we can both focus on our own companies, right?"

My voice was dead calm, cold and detached.

Roxanne knitted her brows tightly.

"Here you go again. You are threatening me with leaving the country again. Is this fun for you?"

"Every time an issue comes up, you want to flee abroad. Are you banking on the fact that I am afraid of losing you?"

I shook my head. "It is not that I run away whenever there is a problem. It is that you always use excuses to hold me back."

"Maybe we both need some distance. It will give you time to figure out what you truly want."

Roxanne waved her hand dismissively.

"Fine. We can discuss this in a couple of days when we are both calmer."

"I want to take you to dinner tonight as an apology for yesterday. Can we please just do that?"

I thought about it and nodded slightly. "Sure. A farewell meal before I leave makes sense anyway."

Roxanne dressed up carefully.

She linked her arm through mine as we headed out.

It was always like this. She would coax me with sweet words, and I would soften up.

This time, my mind was firmly made up.

"The place we are going to is an amazing country farmhouse restaurant."

"Kyle and I went there once before..."

Sitting in the passenger seat, Roxanne suddenly caught herself.

She glanced at me nervously, letting out a breath of relief when she saw no reaction from me.

Suddenly, she let out a sharp gasp.

"Oh God! Kyle is in trouble..."

She frantically shoved her phone in front of my face.

Kyle had just posted a picture on his feed along with a dramatic caption.

【Ever since we broke up, I have not spent a single second without regret. I know I messed up, but I still love you with all my heart.】

【If the universe wants to punish me, then take my life to pay for my mistakes.】

【I just wonder if this blade will hurt when it cuts deep...】

The photo showed Kyle holding a fruit knife pressed against his wrist.

Roxanne screamed in panic.

"No! His depression is acting up again, he is going to end his life!"

"Corbin, I have to get to the hospital! I need to take care of him!"

I glanced coldly at the photo. The blade had barely scratched the surface of his skin.

By the time we got there, that tiny scratch would already be healed.

Attempting to harm himself inside a hospital? What a joke.

Did he think the doctors and nurses were blind?

Only Roxanne would fall for his pathetic little show.

"Go ahead. I will just grab something to eat myself."

I was about to tell her to take a cab, but she looked at me with desperate eyes.

"A cab will take too long! I have to get there right now!"

I understood immediately.

I stepped out of the driver's seat and handed the car keys to Roxanne.

Watching her speed off without a single backward glance, I laughed softly and shook my head.

As expected, Kyle would always be the most important person in her life.

Me? I was nothing more than a convenient tool.

It did not matter anymore. We were parting ways anyway.

I was leaving soon, so there was no point in holding grudges.

The next morning, an exhausted Roxanne dragged herself through the front door.

I was just getting ready to head out for work.

Taking the keys back from her hand, I did not say a single word.

"Corbin, last night was terrifying. If I had arrived even a minute later, something awful might have happened to Kyle."

"I am so sorry. I will make it up to you with a huge dinner tonight!"

I shook my head calmly. "No need. I am full."

Suddenly, she threw her arms around me from behind, clinging tightly to my waist.

"Corbin, I love you. I truly only love you. Please do not be this cold and cruel to me, okay?"

"This weekend. I checked, and this weekend is perfect. We will go get the license, and you can plan the wedding date, deal?"

"Please do not leave. What will I do if you are gone?"

Roxanne sobbed, gripping my waist as if her life depended on it.

I knew my resolve was wavering again.

I turned around and wiped away her tears.

"Fine. I promise."

Seeing her cry still pulled at my heartstrings.

This would be her absolute last chance.