Chapter 3

At noon, I sat in a downtown cafe, double-checking my flight details to Kingsbridge.

I'd booked the tickets two weeks ago, planning to go on a honeymoon with Henry after the wedding.

But now, I'd switched it to a solo red-eye to Kingsbridge.

My phone buzzed, Henry's name flashing on the screen. I took a sip of my coffee and answered.

"Claire, you're not in Crestwood?" Henry's voice was low.

"I am." I looked out at the bustling street, my tone steady.

"Then why did the client in Crestwood tell me the deal was closed last week when I called?" He paused. "Where exactly are you? Don't be stubborn. You have to be at the dinner tonight."

"I told you, I've got something to take care of." I set my coffee down. "I'll be at the dinner."

"Alright. I'll come pick you up."

"That's not necessary. I'll just grab a cab myself." Before he could say anything else, I hung up.

At five, I showed up right on time for dinner.

The private room was packed. Henry's childhood friends were there, along with some elders from the business world.

Henry was in a dark suit, laughing and chatting with one of the elders.

When he saw me walk in, he came over and wrapped his arm around my waist.

"What took you so long? Is it cold out there?" he asked softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"Just a bit of traffic," I replied coolly, slipping out of his arms and heading to my seat.

Henry's eyes darkened, but due to the occasion, he didn't make a scene.

Halfway through dinner, when everyone was relaxed and enjoying themselves, Henry's phone on the table suddenly buzzed.

He glanced at the screen, and his brow instantly furrowed.

"Sorry, I need to take this." He stood up and headed out of the private room.

Through the glass door, I saw worry written all over his face as he rushed back inside.

"Claire, Sophia's kid just came down with a sudden high fever. He's in the ER right now, and it's pretty serious. I have to head over there," Henry said.

He grabbed his coat from the back of the chair, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The room went dead silent. Henry's friends exchanged glances. "Henry, the wedding's tomorrow, and with all these important elders here tonight, are you really going to leave now?"

"Yeah, can't someone else take care of it?" One of them asked.

Henry ignored them and just looked at me.

"Sophia can't handle this alone at the hospital. I watched that kid grow up. Just do the right thing and keep the guests company for me," he said.

He gave the most cruel instructions in the mildest tone.

I stared at him, and all I could think about was the first time I got pregnant. He also used this tone to persuade me to abort.

"We're just getting our careers off the ground. This isn't the right time for a child. Be good, we'll have another chance someday," he'd told me.

And I actually believed him. I lay there all alone on that freezing operating table, my whole body trembling from the pain.

Now, he was leaving me at the pre-wedding dinner for another woman's child.

"What if I don't let you go?" I looked at him, my voice quiet but clear enough for everyone in the room to hear.

Henry froze for a second, his eyes turning cold.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper right by my ear.

"Claire, if you make me lose face tonight, I might not be able to keep the board from pulling the funding for next month's art show." He was threatening me. With what he thought was my greatest weakness.

I looked at the face I'd loved for seven years, and now, all I could feel was how absurd it all was.

He thought he had me cornered, but he had no clue that I didn't even want him, not anymore.

"Alright." I nodded, picked up the goblet in front of me, and raised it towards him. "Go ahead. Take care out there."

Henry was stunned. He didn't expect that I would agree so happily, and a hint of astonishment flashed in his eyes.

"That's what I wanted to hear." He patted my shoulder. "Once the kid's fever breaks, I'll be back. Tomorrow, I'll come get you for hair and makeup."

With that, he walked out of the private room.

The atmosphere in the private room dropped to freezing point.

The elders' faces darkened, while Henry's friends awkwardly tried to lighten the mood. "Claire, don't let it bother you. He just cares too much about his people, that's all."

"Yeah, tomorrow's your big day. He knows where to draw the line," one of Henry's friends said.

I watched their awkward act. "It's fine, I get it." I smiled, took a sip of my wine, and stood up.

"Sorry, everyone. Henry had something urgent to deal with and couldn't stay. I'll pick up the tab tonight. Enjoy yourselves, and I'll head out first." After saying that, I picked up my bag and walked out under everyone's stunned gaze.

The night wind hit my face as I walked out of the club. I took out my phone and opened Henry's chat.

The last message was from him, sent right after he got in the car: [Keep the elders calm. I'll be back as soon as I can.]

I didn't reply and just deleted his contact. Then, I called the wedding planner.

"Ms. Shaw?" the planner answered.

"Has the cancellation been completed?" I watched the stream of headlights, my voice calm.

"All done. The hotel's canceled, the venue's cleared out. I've sent the list of cancellation fees to your email."

"Thank you for handling everything." After hanging up the phone, I opened my social media and typed out a new post.

[Wedding canceled. Back to single life.] No explanation, no photo.

After clicking Send, I turned off my phone and stopped a taxi. "Airport, please."

As the car sped through the night, I leaned against the window and watched the city where I had lived for seven years recede.

At two in the morning, in the airport lounge, I watched the flight information scrolling on the big screen.

There were still three hours before the flight to Kingsbridge took off. And the wedding? Just eight hours remained.

I had no idea if Henry was still at the hospital with Sophia, or when he'd finally realize his fiancée was gone from his life.

But for me, these seven years of self-torment finally came to an end.

Just then, the airport's radio rang. "Passengers heading to Kingsbridge, please note that your flight is now boarding..."

I stood up, pulled up my suitcase, and walked to the gate without looking back.