Chapter 4

He turned back, his eyes full of disappointment.

"When did you become so heartless? Didn't you used to worry about stray cats getting hurt on rainy days?"

"With the typhoon making everything so dangerous right now, aren't you afraid something will happen if you throw her out this late at night?"

I curled up on the couch and gave a small nod.

"You can go."

"Once you walk out that door, don't come back with regrets."

His steps hitched. He didn't turn around.

That night, Carl didn't come home.

I spent the whole night restoring this place piece by piece, and when I got to the bathroom, I found that the drawer held not just Marina's tampons but Carl's razor as well.

On the counter sat two cups for their toothbrushes, the classic pink-and-blue set for couples.

I stared at all of it, and a sudden wave of discomfort washed over me, though I couldn't say why.

In all our years dating and married, he had never mixed his things in with mine, and he certainly never used matching couples' items with me.

I looked toward the living room, and it seemed every corner carried traces of a life they had lived together.

These past six months, had this apartment been Marina living alone, or the two of them playing house?

The answer came from the rain pouring down outside the window.

I threw everything into a garbage bag and hauled it out.

I disinfected the whole place, changed the door locks, and only lay down once the sky was starting to lighten.

Early the next morning, I was woken by knocking at the door.

I opened it to find Carl.

In his arms he held a bouquet of flowers and a small cake.

This scene had happened once, many years ago.

It left me a little dazed.

Back then, he had done it to cheer me up.

And now?

He set the flowers and cake on the table.

"That cake shop you love the most. Eat a little before you sleep."

I sat down and opened the box.

When I saw the peach filling on top, I sank back, drained.

"Carl, first peach water, now a peach cake. Do you not know I'm allergic?"

A flicker of awkwardness crossed his face.

"I'm sorry. It's been so long since I bought it, I forgot."

"I'll order you some delivery."

"No need."

I picked up my laptop, and right in front of him I submitted the notice rejecting the position change, then sent my resignation letter to his email.

"When you have a moment, Mr. Greer, please approve it."

His expression darkened.

"Olivia, are you still throwing a fit?"

"If you feel your current position doesn't match your abilities, then wait until next year, when the spot in the market management department opens up."

"But I don't want to wait anymore."

"You're twenty-nine now. In a couple of years we'll be trying for a baby. Do you really think if you quit now, you'll be able to find a good job out there?"

"Carl!"

I lifted my eyes to him, my voice tight.

"A baby is something I have only if I want one. You don't get to make that decision!"

The year the company took off, I got pregnant by accident.

I waited until it was stable at three months, planning to tell him as a surprise.

Instead, he held me and told me to get rid of the baby.

I asked him why, and he said this was the prime age to fight for our careers.

Now, after everything it took me to get here, he had not only wrecked my career, he wanted to trap me at home too.

He froze for a moment, his voice muffled.

"If you quit now, your bonus from last quarter at the branch office will be void. Are you sure you want to resign?"

"I think I already made myself very clear a moment ago."

He took out his phone, typed a few lines, and two minutes later the request was approved.

Then he headed for the door.

"Over the next three days, hand off the resources and work for the projects you're currently on."