Chapter 2

2.

Evie hooked her arm through mine, acting like a devoted partner. “Of course not. The company is just growing fast, and there’s a lot to handle. Once the new interns get the hang of things, I’ll be able to relax.”

She started pulling me toward the bedroom, ready to call it a night.

“Anyway, stop overthinking. I’ll stay home and spend the whole day with you tomorrow, okay?”

This was rare. She was actually putting work aside to be with me.

But I couldn't find it in me to be happy.

She still hadn't confessed, and her offer felt more like a pity prize for her guilt.

Fine, whatever. I would take the opportunity to lay everything out tomorrow.

If the love was gone, we should just part ways like adults. I wasn't the type to beg for someone to stay.

“Okay,” I agreed with a nod.

But early the next morning, Evie’s phone rang, and she was suddenly in a rush to leave.

“I’m so sorry, Quinn! There’s a crisis with a project at the office. I have to go, but I’ll make it up to you later!”

I opened my eyes just in time to see her throwing on her trench coat, her brow pinched in worry.

The morning fog in my brain cleared instantly.

I had heard the voice on the phone while she was getting ready. it was a young man, and he sounded like he was sobbing.

My heart hit rock bottom. A tidal wave of disappointment finally crashed over me.

Evie, you won't even give me the chance to break up with you face-to-face?

I grabbed the tablet we kept at home. Evie’s social media account was still logged in.

She was usually careful and didn't publicly follow anyone suspicious.

But her private liked videos told a different story. Most of them were from one specific account.

I clicked on it. The most recent video was posted only two minutes ago.

The caption read: “Having a fever is the worst (crying face), but my boss came to see me first thing in the morning. Evie is so sweet!”

The video panned from a guy in a hospital gown to a woman in a beige coat standing nearby.

Even though it only showed her from the neck down, I knew it was Evie instantly.

Comments were already pouring in.

“Whoa, I’m so jealous! Shawn, the boss really has a thing for you!”

“This feels like a romantic drama. So sweet!”

I clicked on the profiles of the commenters. They were all familiar faces from her office.

I thought she would at least try to hide it, but she was flaunting her favoritism for everyone to see.

I was the only one in the dark, a complete and utter laughingstock.

I kept scrolling through the feed, feeling a bitter sting with every post. It was a diary of their daily life together.

“Company retreat! Evie snuck me out to grab some late-night burgers. Special treatment!”

“Heh, I finished a project and Evie said I did great. She rewarded me with a luxury Swiss watch!”

Then, I hit a video that made me stop breathing.

It was from last December. Evie and the guy were huddled together in the middle of a heavy snowfall, both beaming at the camera.

The hashtag was #FoundMyAngelThisWinter.

“They say if you watch the first snow with someone, you’ll be together forever!”

The guy’s face was a striking resemblance to how I looked back in college.

On the day that video was posted, I had been in the hospital with a bleeding stomach ulcer from drinking too much at a business dinner.

I had texted Evie, and she replied: “The office is crazy right now. I can't walk away from this deal. Call Chase and see if he can stay with you.”

I believed her back then, while she was busy watching the snow with another man.

In the end, it was a client named Zoe Sinclair who handled my paperwork and stayed to look after me.

I took a deep breath, forcing back the tears.

I sent Evie a single text: “I’m done. Let's break up.”

After hitting send, I looked around the house. I bought this place right when my company started taking off, and it was filled with memories of her.

I packed a small bag and drove away.

On the road, my phone started buzzing incessantly. Evie had obviously seen the message.

She called dozens of times, her desperation practically radiating through the screen.