My allergy to mangoes was severe. The mere scent of it was enough to make me feel uneasy, and having fresh mangoes touch my skin would have been a total nightmare.
By the time I regained consciousness, I found myself in a hospital bed. Owen stood by my side, looking both guilty and anxious.
“I had no idea… I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
I stayed silent.
He stared at me as if sensing something wasn’t right. I had been shutting him out and staying far from him these days.
A flicker of panic crossed Owen’s face before he poured me a glass of water. “Why does it seem like you’ve changed, Audrey?”
I looked up at him. The face I had once loved across two lifetimes now felt utterly unfamiliar.
“It’s you who’s changed. I’ve stayed the same,” I said flatly.
Owen let out a frustrated sigh, but his voice softened. “All I said yesterday was to stop bothering Vanessa. I didn’t ask you to quit your job. Vanessa just started at the company, and she doesn’t know anyone, so I’m just looking out for her.
“By the way, how’s that proposal going? Why don’t you hand it over to Vanessa? She could use it more than you at this point.”
I smiled wryly. “So, Vanessa takes my fiancé, and now she’s coming after my proposal, too?”
Owen’s face clouded with disappointment. “Vanessa and I are just friends now. Why won’t you drop this, Audrey? Do you have any idea how controlling you’re being? It feels suffocating to be in the same city and country as you!”
I lifted my head and met his gaze. Then, I opened my phone and showed him my immigration application.
“Don’t worry. I’m applying for immigration to Almoria. You’ll never have to see me again,” I spoke clearly, making sure he understood every word.
Owen stayed silent, his eyes locked on mine, his expression unreadable. I thought he’d be happy I was leaving, but there was no sign of relief on his face.
A bitter grin spread across my face. He couldn’t even bring himself to smile at me anymore.
Fatigue weighed heavily on me, and I was just about to ask him to leave when his phone buzzed. He glanced at it, his expression instantly hardening.
