On the other end of the line, Jarrett sounded almost disbelieving. “Josie, you’re really coming back? And you’re willing to meet the guy I picked for you? What about your boyfriend you’re head over heels for?”
Joselyn’s voice was soft. “I don’t love him anymore. I never will again.”
Jarrett’s joy was short-lived. He immediately sensed something was off, and his tone turned cold. “Did he do something to you?”
Flashes of painful memories hit her all at once—those cruel words, the videos Evan had brushed off so carelessly, and his cold, detached voice.
The hurt cut deep, but Joselyn had to stay clearheaded.
Jarrett had always been overprotective. If he found out the truth, he’d storm into Airedale without a second thought. She couldn’t have him worry about her. She needed to handle this herself.
“No, Jarrett,” she said, forcing herself to stay calm. “I just need to take care of a few things first, and then I’ll come home.”
After a few more reminders, Jarrett finally hung up reluctantly. Joselyn put her phone down and headed home.
The moment she stepped inside, she went straight to the bathroom to wash away the exhaustion and disarray. Only after regaining her composure did she sit down at the coffee table, pull out a blank sheet of paper, and start making a list.
Her pen glided across the page as she wrote, “Throw things away. Pack my stuff. Quit my job. Say goodbye to friends. Delete the videos.”
These were all the things she needed to take care of before she left. Her gaze lingered on the last item for a long time, her fingertips trembling slightly.
She thought about what she’d overheard at the club—their plans for her birthday. She had to leave before then.
Determined, she grabbed the calendar off the table and circled the date in red.
“Marking it down so I won’t forget?” The villa’s front door swung open, and Evan’s voice drifted in, lazy and teasing.
Joselyn froze. The pen in her hand slipped, leaving an ugly scratch across the page.
She turned around to see him leaning against the doorframe with a suit jacket slung over one arm. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of his sculpted collarbone.
His eyes landed on the calendar in her hands. The corner of his mouth curled up. “How could I forget your birthday, babe? I even have a big surprise planned.”
Joselyn clenched the pen tighter and met his gaze, forcing a smile. “I have a surprise for you too.”
Evan paused for a beat, then chuckled. “Why would you be planning surprises for me on your own birthday?” He strolled over and ruffled her hair before asking affectionately, “By the way, are you inviting Jarrett to your birthday party?”
Her heart skipped a beat, and her fingers tightened around the table’s edge.
She looked up, keeping her expression neutral. “Do you want me to?”
As Evan looked down at her, something unreadable flickered in his eyes.
Smiling, he replied, “Sure, why not? We’ve been at each other’s throats for years. Maybe it’s time to let bygones be bygones. I mean, I hate losing, but what can I say? I like his little sister too much. No shame in surrendering for love, right?”
A lump formed in her throat. She couldn’t say a word.
Evan leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her face away. “I’m not feeling great today. Let’s not.”
He paused for a second before chuckling softly and pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Alright. Get some rest.” With that, he disappeared into the bathroom.
Joselyn stood frozen, listening to the sound of running water. Her fingers clenched tightly around the edge of the table.
Her gaze fell on Evan’s phone, which was casually tossed onto the couch. Her heartbeat pounded so fast it felt like it might burst from her chest.
She carefully picked up the phone, trying to be as quiet as possible. After several attempts at the password, she still couldn’t unlock it.
Her fingers trembled as frustration and helplessness washed over her.
In the end, she set the phone back in its place. She forced herself to calm down and think of another plan.
…
The next morning, Evan woke up to find Joselyn packing. At her feet was a pile of matching couple’s items—mugs, slippers, pillows. All of it.
Frowning, he walked over to her. His voice was laced with confusion as he asked, “Why are you getting rid of all this?”
Joselyn didn’t look up. Calmly, she replied, “I don’t like them anymore. I’ll buy new ones later.”
Evan didn’t ask any further. He simply smiled. “Alright. Leave it. I’ll have the housekeeper clean up. It’s almost time. Should I take you to the dance studio first?”
She shook her head. “No need. I already quit.”
He froze at her words. Frowning, he said, “I thought you loved dancing. Why did you quit so suddenly?”
Joselyn raised her head and looked at him calmly. “I’m just tired. I need a break.”
Evan was silent for a few seconds before reaching out to tousle her hair. “Quitting isn’t a bad idea. Dancing is exhausting anyway, and…” His fingers trailed lightly along her waist as his voice dropped to a husky murmur. “I’d rather keep this soft waist of yours to myself.”
Joselyn stepped away, her voice distant. “You should get going.”
After Evan left, she spent most of the day getting rid of all the couple’s items. Standing in the now-empty living room, she felt as if something was stuck in her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a new message from an unknown number.
“Let’s meet at Nocturne Cafe at 3:00 pm. I’m Evan’s fiancée.”
Joselyn’s grip tightened around her phone, her knuckles turning white.
