Chapter 2

2.

Eason’s tone was filled with a certainty that screamed, “You wouldn’t dare,” as if everything I said was just part of a tantrum.

I glanced at the calendar. Three days until our honeymoon.

“Fine. I’ll be there tomorrow.”

Might as well make a clean break and put a period on these three years.

Leo was worried and wanted to postpone an important meeting to go with me, but I stopped him.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, comforting him softly.

“It’s okay. I’m just going to get some stuff. Besides, he should be at work at this time. He won’t be home.”

When I opened the apartment door, the situation was completely different from what I had expected.

“What are you two doing here?”

I frowned, looking at Eason and Maya standing before me.

Maya walked over with a cheerful smile, offering to take my bag as if she were the lady of the house.

“Tamsin, you’re back! Why did you lie to Eason yesterday and say you were married? You can’t just make things up, no matter how angry you are.”

“Come on, Tamsin, everyone knows you can’t live without Eason.”

As soon as she finished, Eason stood up and walked over to me.

“Had enough yet, Tamsin? Apologize to me, and you can come back.”

“I told you, I’m married.”

I walked around him and headed straight for the bedroom.

“I’m just here to get my things. We don’t need to see each other again.”

Eason blocked my path, his eyes a mix of ridicule and anger.

“How long are you going to keep this act up? I told you to come back, so just behave and stop throwing childish tantrums.”

There it was again. I told him I was married, and he didn't believe a word of it, thinking I was using some tactic to force his hand.

But there was no point in arguing anymore.

After I packed my things today, we would be completely done.

Seeing my silence, he seemed to think he’d hit the nail on the head.

Eason suddenly let out a laugh, his eyes full of confidence.

“Alright, I won’t hold it against you.”

“Maya and I are going to pick out some jewelry for a client. The proposal for the Hudson Project is in the study drawer. I need you to give it a final look.”

Hearing the click of the lock, the strained composure on my face finally crumbled. I turned and walked toward the bedroom, not even glancing at the study.

There was still a photo frame on the desk―a picture of us from the Hamptons last year.

Eason and I were pressed close together, and the me in the photo had eyes full of laughter. Looking at it now, it was just jarring.

I opened the frame, took out the picture, and tore it in half.

I folded my half and put it away, leaving the other half on the desk.

Everything that was mine, I took. I didn't touch a single thing of his.

From the closet, I only took my clothes and a few small pieces of jewelry my mom had left me.

I didn't even look at the designer bags and luxury goods Eason had given me.

In less than twenty minutes, I had packed everything that belonged to me. The apartment no longer held a single trace of my existence.

I gave the place one last look and left the key on the console by the door. Without a shred of attachment.