Chapter 6

The phone vibrated in my palm.

Camille Grandelle's name flashed repeatedly on the screen.

I didn't answer.

Letting the ringtone echo in the silence.

"Why do you always look so disheveled every time I see you?"

A voice came from beside me.

Chloe Roscente stood by the roadside, appearing out of nowhere.

She glanced at the wound on my temple, her brow furrowing slightly.

She opened the car door and gestured for me to get in.

Then she went to the pharmacy to buy iodine and band-aids.

As the cotton swab dipped in disinfectant touched the wound, the phone rang again.

Chloe continued her task without pause. "Not going to answer?"

I turned my head.

The car window reflected my pale face.

"What's the point?"

"To hear her spin more lies?"

"Tonight she'll be busy taking care of Liam and their child."

Chloe remained silent.

She carefully applied the band-aid, her movements gentle.

I remembered the first time I saw her, in that escape room.

Everyone else was gathered around the monitor, laughing.

Only she sat quietly in the corner, like a painting.

After Camille and the others left, she approached me.

Her eyes swept over the scattered bills and underwear on the floor.

"Don't step on that filth."

"She's not worthy of you."

I asked if she had recognized me then.

Chloe's lips curved slightly. "I saw you a few times from afar when I drove Camille home."

See.

Even a stranger could remember my face.

Yet the person who shared my bed for three years couldn't.

I handed the check to Chloe.

Only taking back what I had spent on Camille over those three years.

The rest I entrusted her to return.

In this relationship, we're even now.

Chloe drove me to the airport.

Before I boarded, she asked softly, "Really not taking anything with you?"

I looked back at the rental apartment.

Every item bore Camille's mark.

"No."

"It's better to end it completely."

The phone vibrated incessantly.

Texts and missed calls flooded the inbox.

I blocked all contact without hesitation.

Then turned and walked through the security checkpoint.

The plane roared into the night sky.

Finally leaving this city behind.