Chapter 3

3.

As I was about to leave work, a sudden heavy rainstorm started.

That's when I got a call from Claire.

"You're off work, right? Come to Liam's place and pick us up for dinner."

Hearing her bark orders so naturally made me wonder.

Did Claire think I was some kind of pathetic loser who would drive across the city in a torrential downpour to get them?

Granted, I had done exactly that many times before.

But today, I wasn't going to degrade myself anymore.

"That is too bad. I have a company dinner tonight. I am busy."

"You can drop us off at the restaurant first and then go to your dinner. It will only take a few extra minutes."

"Or we could just eat at the same place you are going. It is on the way, and you can drive Liam home after."

Claire's tone was so patronizing, as if she were doing me a favor by letting me drive them.

"I do not have time, and it is not on the way. Just take an Uber."

I hung up before Claire could explode.

...

That night, I had dinner with a few colleagues I was close with and had some drinks.

During the meal, I told them I had resigned and was planning to break up with my girlfriend.

Big Dan, who was sitting next to me, said, "Brother, are you finally waking up? I could not stand seeing you act like such a simp anymore."

Another guy added, "Seriously. Your girlfriend and that neighbor of hers are basically one step away from being in bed together."

I joked, "Even if they were, I would not even know."

They could tell from my tone that I really didn't care anymore, so they started toasted to my upcoming freedom.

By the time the gathering ended and I got home, it was midnight.

Claire was sitting on the living room sofa.

When she saw me enter, she asked unpleasantly, "Where were you? Why are you so late?"

I ignored her and walked straight toward the bedroom to get clothes for a shower.

Claire stood up and grabbed my arm, frowning. "Silas, what is your problem?"

I looked at her calmly.

The face that used to bring me so much joy now felt like nothing.

"Is there something you need?" I asked.

Claire looked pissed. "I asked you to pick us up and you didn't. Now you come home late with this terrible attitude."

Just as I was about to speak, Liam's voice came from the guest bedroom.

"Silas, have you been drinking? The smell of alcohol is so strong."

"I am allergic to alcohol, and it is making me feel sick."

I stared at Claire.

I thought she had gone home after dinner with Liam, but she actually brought him here.

I let out a cold laugh. "If the smell makes you sick, should I leave? Or should you take Claire to your place?"

"Silas! How can you have such a filthy mind?" Claire shouted at me.

"Claire, is my mind filthy, or is yours just not clean? Stop trying to hide your guilt by yelling."

I turned to look at Liam, who was standing by the door.

"Liam, Claire said you were unstable yesterday because I blocked you. You do not need to worry."

"I am not just blocking you. I am planning to block her, too."

"If you are so allergic to the smell of a drink, go back to your own house. Don't come into my home and judge me."

"I am not Claire. I do not know how to cater to the whims of someone with depression."

Liam's face turned paler with every word I spoke. He sighed.

"Claire, I should probably go. Silas clearly does not want me here. You two should talk."

"It is late and it is pouring rain! You are sick, where would you go? Go back to sleep!" Claire barked.

So Claire knew it was raining and dangerous for a "sick" person to be outside.

Early last year, I got caught in the rain after work and came home with a high fever.

I was practically delirious.

Claire had been summoned by Liam for some reason. I called her and asked her to take me to the hospital.

At the time, Claire said, "You are a grown man. What could happen to you? Liam needs me. Just call an Uber."

Yeah, what does a grown man have to worry about?

Liam didn't move.

I was exhausted. I walked past him into the bedroom and locked the door behind me.

Claire cursed at me from the other side, but I didn't care.

I could hear Liam's manipulative, "woe-is-me" act through the door.

Who says men cannot spot a toxic person? I could see through him perfectly.

I was not sure how their little drama ended.

I was too tired, and with the alcohol in my system, I took a quick shower and crashed.

...

The next morning, I saw Claire and Liam coming out of the guest room one after the other.

When Claire saw me, she hesitated for a second before speaking up defensively.

"You locked the bedroom door last night and wouldn't let me in. I had no choice but to sleep in the guest room with Liam."

Liam chimed in from the side. "Yeah, Silas, we just slept in the bed. Nothing else happened."

I looked at them strangely. It wasn't like I had even said anything yet.

"Okay. Good to know."

I got ready to leave.

Claire blocked my path. "Silas, are you still mad? We are practically engaged."

"We are not some young kids anymore. Can you stop being so jealous over nothing?"

In her eyes, it was wrong if I fought with her, and wrong if I didn't.

It seemed like being with her was the real mistake.

I just looked at her calmly. She looked away, feeling guilty.

"Fine, I will admit I was wrong this time, okay?"

I shook my head.

"You weren't wrong, and I am not angry. Let's not dwell on it."

"I am going to work."

I walked out the door.

As soon as I got to the office, Claire called me.

She told me to come home early because she had a surprise for me.

I figured it was better to clear things up sooner rather than later to avoid more drama, so I agreed.