Chapter 2

Back at the apartment we shared, I pulled out my suitcase and started packing.

Clothes, makeup, laptop. All my personal necessities went straight into the suitcase.

As for the sneakers and clothes I'd bought him, along with the matching couple mugs and bedding sets I'd personally picked out, I didn't even spare them a glance.

Just as I zipped up my suitcase, the front door clicked open.

Ethan walked in reeking of alcohol.

He saw the suitcase on the floor and his brow furrowed tightly, his tone full of impatience. "What are you making a scene about now? I just went to help Melissa with her car. Making a fool of yourself in the group chat wasn't enough? Now you're playing the running-away-from-home card too? Is this fun for you?"

I didn't even look up, just grabbed my bag and prepared to change my shoes. "Whether it's fun or not, you'll find out eventually. Move. You're blocking my way."

Not only did Ethan not move, he crossed his arms over his chest and let out a cold laugh.

"Where are you going? Who else do you have in this city to rely on besides me? You think you can afford to stay in a hotel?"

He was banking on my frugal habits, convinced he had me figured out, certain I was just bluffing.

I actually laughed. I looked up at this face that I once found so captivating, but now it just seemed unbearably sleazy and arrogant.

"Ethan, I'm telling you one last time. We're broken up. This apartment's lease ends at the end of the month. I've already paid my share of the rent. You figure out your own rent from now on. Don't come looking for me again."

With that, I shoved him aside forcefully and dragged my suitcase toward the elevator without looking back.

Ethan's furious cursing echoed behind me. "Fine! Once you leave, don't ever come back! I'll be a complete idiot if I beg you even once!"

I pressed the button for the first floor.

Sitting in the taxi to the hotel, my phone buzzed.

It was my best friend Jessica sending me several SnapChat screenshots.

Jessica: "Has Ethan lost his mind? Look at this!"

I opened the screenshots.

They were from the chat group with Ethan and his friends.

Jessica's boyfriend happened to be in that group and couldn't stand it anymore, so he screenshot everything and sent it to Jessica.

Ethan had sent a voice message in the group, which when converted to text read: "What a buzzkill. Her temper's getting worse and worse. She actually left with her suitcase."

His friend Marcus replied: "Is Stella serious this time? Ethan, aren't you going to chase after her?"

Ethan: "Chase after her? No way! She thinks twice about buying a cup of coffee because it's too expensive. How many days do you think she can afford to stay in a hotel? She's just acting spoiled."

Right after that, Ethan sent a large red envelope in the group.

"Within three days, she'll definitely come crawling back begging me to get back together. If she doesn't come back, I'll treat everyone to bottle service at the bar this weekend!"

The group immediately erupted with laughter and comments praising Ethan.

I saved the screenshots, then opened Ethan's SnapChat and blocked and deleted him in one smooth motion.

Then his phone number, Instagram, PayPal. Every possible way to contact me, all blocked.

After finishing all this, I tossed my phone into my bag and turned to the driver. "Sir, please drive faster."

Three days?

You'll never see me again in this lifetime.

I was finally free.