Chapter 4
“Break up? Are you kidding me?”
Xavier froze for a second before letting out a chuckle.
“You sold your shares to Kimberly, got the money, and now you’re putting on this pitiful act? Come on.”
He clearly didn’t take my decision seriously.
6:56 AM J
<
I let out a slow breath. “This has nothing to do with the shares.”
“Then what is it?”
Xavier thought for a moment before saying, “Because I didn’t show up for the marriage certificate? Camille, don’t be so petty. I already explained I really had something urgent to take care of.”
Before he could finish his sentence, an embarrassing ringtone blared from his pocket.
His face stiffened. He pulled out his phone in a flash and silenced it.
The room fell into an eerie stillness.
But I felt nothing. Not a flicker of emotion. I just watched as he fidgeted awkwardly, realizing he had no idea his ringtone had been changed.
That must’ve been Kimberly’s little prank.
“Camille…”
Xavier tried to say something, but I had no interest in hearing more of his excuses.
“I already know. I heard everything about you and Kimberly last night.
“Let’s end this. It’s better for both of us.”
I thought, given how things had unfolded, he would just go along with it. But instead, he suddenly grabbed my hand.
He looked at me with a bitter smile.
“I get it. This is about Kimberly. Fine, I’ll transfer her to another department. You’ll never have to see her again.
“I never once thought about breaking up with you. Ten years, Camille. Don’t throw it away over this.
“I really do want to marry you. What happened with Kimberly was just… a mistake.
“Look, I was going to get the certificate today. I had the appointment booked and everything.”
He pulled out his phone, showing me his reservation at City Hall.
But what difference did it make? He could be on his way to marry me now and still wrap his arms around Kimberly the next second.
So I took out my phone and handed it to him.
“And I truly want to leave. My flight home is already booked.”
The ticket had been reserved a month ago. I had canceled it several times, hesitating, before finally making up my mind.
Xavier stared at the screen and was frozen in place.
“Disappointment doesn’t happen overnight, Xavier. Our love died the moment Kimberly came into the picture. We just hadn’t buried it yet.
“It’s over. Let’s stop torturing each other.”
Xavier covered his face, his eyes reddening.
“I lost my way for a moment, but I never meant to break up with you. I never thought it would come to this.
“Please, just give me another chance. Let me fix this.”
He reached for my hand again.
D
6:56 AM
<
I pulled away forcefully, not sparing him another glance. Grabbing my suitcase, I walked out the door.
L
As I reached the corner, I turned back for one last look at the home I had lived in for years. A place that should’ve felt familiar, warm, and held
my heart.
Back when Xavier had begun ignoring me for Kimberly, I had replayed this moment in my mind countless times. I had imagined the pain, the heartbreak, the overwhelming grief of leaving.
I thought I would be shattered, barely able to stand, sobbing uncontrollably.
Because how else could ten years of love end?
But standing here now, I felt nothing but numbness.
Maybe I had already cried myself dry on all those lonely nights. Maybe the version of me that still loved him had died long ago.
From behind, I could hear Xavier punching the walls in frustration.
I didn’t stop. I didn’t turn back.
I walked away.
But as I reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw her, Kimberly, leaning against a car with a cigarette between her lips and a smug smile on her
face.
