Chapter 2

"You're back sooner than I thought."

Ethan was sitting on the couch.

He was wearing his loungewear, his hair still damp from the shower. He looked perfectly relaxed, like nothing had happened.

I stood in the entryway, holding my suitcase, without even taking off my shoes.

"You brought your suitcase? Where are you going?"

"I’m moving out."

He stood up and stepped aside to make room for me.

"Let’s sit down and talk."

"There’s nothing to talk about."

I walked past him into the bedroom, pulled open the closet, and started tossing my clothes into the suitcase.

He followed me, leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets.

"Is this because of Maya’s Instagram post?"

I ignored him.

"Chloe, you deleted our chat, ignored my calls, and now you’re packing your bags. Do you really think this is how mature adults handle things?"

T-shirts, sweaters, and the gray cardigan I had worn for the past two winters. I folded them and packed them in one by one.

He took a step closer.

"You won't even give me a chance to explain before jumping to conclusions?"

"What is there to explain?"

"Then let me explain for you." His voice softened, sounding like he was soothing a throwing-a-tantrum child.

"It was raining that day. I was in her city on business, and a few of us from the team grabbed dinner. She exaggerated it on her post. If you don't believe me, I can send you the group photo with the other coworkers."

My hands paused for a second.

"You can call our team lead to double-check," he added.

I didn't answer. I opened his side of the closet to see if any of my things had gotten mixed up in there.

The third hanger on the right was empty.

I stared at the empty space.

For his birthday last year, I bought him an indigo windbreaker. He tried it on, said it was a bit too oversized, and hung it right there. It had stayed there ever since. Every time I opened the closet, I saw it.

Now, it was gone.

"Where is that blue windbreaker?"

His expression didn't change, but his eyes darted toward the closet for a fraction of a second.

"Which one?"

"The one I got you. The one you said was too big to wear."

"I probably left it at the office."

"You never wore it. Why would you take it to the office?"

He let out a sigh, giving me a helpless smile.

"Chloe, look at yourself. You’re spiraling. Just because a jacket isn’t where it usually is, you assume I gave it to someone else. You’re going to drive yourself crazy if you keep this up."

I kept staring at the empty hanger. I remembered scrolling through Maya’s Instagram last month.

She had posted a selfie at a coffee shop. The background was blurry, but draped over the back of her chair was an indigo windbreaker with dark contrast stitching along the collar.

It was identical to the one I bought him.

I didn't say a word.

Even if I did, he would have a million excuses ready. He always did.

I zipped my suitcase shut and glanced around the bedroom. There were two of my books on the nightstand. I reached over and grabbed them.

"That's all you're taking?" He blocked the doorway slightly, but not completely. He stood at an angle, leaving just enough space for me to hesitate. "What about the stuff in the living room?"

I chose the living room curtains. I bought the vase on the coffee table. Half the books on the shelves were mine. But those belonged to "this apartment," not to "me."

In our two years together, I had filled this place with so many things. But what actually belonged to me only filled half a suitcase.

"Keep it."

He stepped closer.

"Chloe, calm down for a couple of days. Once you cool off, you’ll realize how ridiculous you’re being."

I walked right past him and opened the front door.

"Don't regret this when you walk out," he called out behind me.

I dragged my suitcase into the elevator.

It wasn't heavy. Just half a suitcase of clothes and two books.

My phone vibrated. It was Harper.

"Are you out?"

"Yeah."

"Was he home?"

"Yes."

"What did he say?"

I thought about it. "He said I’d regret it."

There was a three-second silence on the other end.

Then Harper said, "Get over to my place. The hot pot is bubbling. I’ve got the beef waiting for you."