Chapter 3

3.

I didn't want to argue, but her words were getting more vicious by the second.

The rage finally boiled over. I stood up and smashed my beer bottle onto the floor.

"Enough, Lyra! Don't you dare talk about my parents like that."

A shard of glass grazed Jace's leg. Lyra's face turned red with fury. She lunged forward and shoved me hard.

I tripped and fell back onto the broken glass.

A sharp sting shot through my arm. Blood immediately began to soak my palm.

Lyra looked startled when she saw the blood. she stepped closer to check the wound.

The moment she neared me, a heavy scent hit my nose.

It was Jace's signature cologne. It was all over her.

I could almost see her hands trailing over him. I could imagine her looking at him with that soft gaze she used to reserve for me.

I shoved her away with disgust. My eyes landed on a faint red mark on her neck.

Lyra noticed my gaze and reflexively covered it with her hand.

"There were mosquitoes at the office. You know how sensitive my skin is."

Jace smirked at me, his eyes full of triumph. "Yeah, Silas. Lyra's skin is incredibly soft and delicate."

In this relationship, Jace got the real love.

All I got was a mountain of lies.

"Fine, stop being dramatic. I'll take you to the ER."

She looked at my bleeding hand with forced concern.

But her actions weren't gentle. She grabbed my injured arm and yanked me up.

She was playing the part of the caring girlfriend now. It was sickening.

I ripped my arm away. "Don't touch me. If you keep pulling like that, I'll bleed out before we hit the door."

Lyra realized she had been squeezing the wound, but she just stiffened her neck.

"Can't you speak like a normal person? Do you have to be so sarcastic?"

I didn't want to fight anymore. I just wanted to go to the hospital.

Lyra insisted on driving. When we reached the car, Jace hopped into the passenger seat before I could even move.

"I get motion sickness in the back. You don't mind, right Silas?"

I ignored him and climbed into the backseat.

I looked around the interior of the car. It was filled with things that shouldn't have been there.

A photo of them taped to the dashboard. Jace's gym sneakers on the floor. His spare jacket draped over the seat.

When we first started dating, I left a small plushie in her car. She threw it in the trash the next day.

She told me she was a neat freak and didn't like people leaving junk in her car.

I guess her "boundaries" and "neatness" didn't apply to Jace.

By the time the doctor finished stitching me up, it was 2 AM.

I walked to the waiting area, but Lyra was nowhere to be found.

I didn't call her. I just stood at the hospital entrance and tried to call a ride-share.

Because of the hour and the rain, nobody was picking up.

I finally gave in and called Lyra. Jace answered.

He let out a lazy "hello" before Lyra took the phone away.

I heard Jace's voice in the background. "I'm going to go jump in the shower. Hurry up."

Lyra's voice sounded muffled, like she had walked into another room. "What is it?"

I didn't waste time. "I'm at the hospital. I can't get an Uber. Can you pick me up?"

There was a pause. She seemed to just remember she had left me there.

"Wait for me. I'll be there in five minutes."

Five minutes turned into ten. Ten turned into thirty. An hour passed.

I laughed at myself. I should have known better than to trust her.

Just as I was about to give up, a car finally accepted my ride request.

I got home and sat on the couch, exhausted. Ten minutes later, Lyra walked through the door.

She immediately started berating me. "Why didn't you wait for me?"

"I'm starving. Make me something to eat."

"And make a pot of seafood chowder. Jace wants some. I'm going to drop it off at his place in a bit."

"Hey! Are you deaf?"

I hadn't slept, I was damp from the rain, and my head was pounding. My patience was gone.

"Are you insane? We're broken up. Who the hell do you think you're ordering around?"

Lyra stared at me in disbelief. "What did you say? You're breaking up with me?"

"Yes. I told you yesterday. Are you deaf?"

Lyra burst out laughing until she had tears in her eyes.

"Silas, you're hilarious. You're breaking up with me?"

"How long is this going to last? A few hours? I hope you can stay strong for at least twenty-four hours this time before you come begging for forgiveness."

I looked at her calmly. I couldn't blame her for reacting that way.

In the past, I had tried to break up with her over Jace several times. But every time, I'd cave after a few hours. I'd go to her, apologize, and beg her to take me back.

Lyra ignored me and went into the bedroom, slamming the door.

I pulled out my phone and started looking for short-term rentals near my office.

My manager told me the transfer would be official tomorrow, but I had a month to wrap things up here.

I thought I could leave immediately, but I had thirty days left.

I messaged a few agents and started a list of what to pack.

I had treated this apartment like a home. I had bought so much furniture and decor.

But I decided to leave it all. I was starting a new life in a new city. I didn't need this baggage.

I set up a viewing for that afternoon and went to sleep in the guest room.

When I woke up and walked into the living room, Lyra was staring at me with a look of pure confusion.

I didn't say a word. I just checked the time and went to wash up.

Suddenly, she threw her coffee mug onto the floor.

I turned around and looked at the shattered ceramic. A strange sense of peace washed over me.

That mug was the first thing I had ever made in a pottery class when I was obsessed with the hobby.

When I gave it to her, she laughed at it. She said it was the ugliest thing in the world.

I had told her, "It's like my love for you. One of a kind."

Now that it was broken, it was the perfect metaphor for us.

I left the mess on the floor, finished getting ready, and walked out.

Lyra sat on the sofa, staring at my retreating back for a long time.

By the afternoon, I had already signed a lease on a furnished one-bedroom apartment. It was a five-minute walk from work.

I had originally chosen our old place because it was convenient for Lyra's commute. I had to drive thirty minutes in traffic every morning.

I had spent years sacrificing for her, and this was the result.

I paid the deposit and first month's rent. I wanted to move in tonight.

I could almost taste the freedom.

When I went back to the apartment, Lyra wasn't there.

I packed my essentials into one large suitcase and walked out the door.

By the time I finished setting up my new place, it was night. I was tired, but I felt incredibly light.

Of course, the peace didn't last. Lyra called.

I knew exactly why. She wanted her late-night tea and her bath drawn. Not this time.

"Silas, did you seriously move out?" Her voice was full of shock.

%%%