Chapter 3

"I'm moving out. I'm not pretending, and I'm not waiting for you to make it easier for me. I'm truly starting over," I said.

I pointed at the door. "One month apart, starting now. Once you step out, don't come back."

He looked stung by how firm I was, and gave a cold laugh. "Alright, Barbara, you sure are tough. Let's see how long you last out there on your own. Don't come crying to me later, begging to come back."

He slammed the door behind him.

At last, the world was finally quiet. I could breathe again.

The first week after I moved out, I slept in every day, completely knocked out.

I slept in every day, completely knocked out.

For the first time in seven years, I actually woke up on my own, no more dragging myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. to make him breakfast or iron his shirts.

Instead of my usual mad dash to the supermarket after work, I wandered into the new restaurant that had just opened downstairs from my office.

I ordered a sashimi platter, some uni sushi, and a carafe of sake, all just for myself.

The food was beautifully presented and tasted amazing.

That was when I realized that Martin never ate something like that.

I snapped a photo and posted it on Instagram with the caption: [New life.]

Ten minutes later, Martin messaged me on WhatsApp: [Treating yourself to all that, huh?]

I didn't reply.

He sent another: [How's the soundproofing in your new place? Not scared sleeping alone at night?]

I still didn't reply.

Then he sent a third message: [Todd's having a birthday dinner next weekend. He invited us. You... wanna come with me?]

Seeing the word "us" stung.

I replied: [No.]

He shot back right away: [Why not? Still pissed at me? I told you, it's just a cooling-off period, not like we're actually breaking up. If you don't show, how am I supposed to explain it to everyone?]

I said: [That's on you.]

He said: [Barbara! Do you have to be this heartless? Todd's our friend!]

I said: [He's your friend, not mine.]

I blocked him.

For seven years, just to save Martin's face, I'd put up with Todd's dirty jokes over drinks, and all those times he'd say, "Barbara, you better keep an eye on Martin. You know how men get when they have money. They all turn bad." I'd had to stomach his gross banter more times than I could count.

I'd had enough.

The month apart went by in a flash.

Martin didn't reach out to me at all.

I figured maybe he'd finally gotten the message, or maybe he'd already found himself a new "nanny."

That was, until my mom called me.

"Barbara, did you and Martin have a fight?" she asked.

My heart skipped a beat. "Mom, what's wrong?"

She answered, "Martin just called me.

"He said... he said you moved out.

"He admitted he messed up, said work's been crazy lately, and he hasn't really been there for you."

"He also said his parents want to come to our place next week to discuss... your engagement."

My grip on the phone tightened.

I never expected him to pull something like this.

"Did he say anything else?" I asked.

"He just... apologized. Said he can't make it without you, and that seven years isn't something you just walk away from. Barbara, you two... are you really done?"

"Mom, don't believe him," I said, taking a deep breath. "We're already broken up."

"What?!" My mom's voice shot up. "You broke up? Why didn't you tell me about something this huge? Is he just trying to fool us?"

"Mom, just take it easy, okay? I'll fill you in when I get back. As for his parents, just tell them you and Dad have plans that week, maybe you're traveling or something. Just put them off for now."

She said, "Alright."

After I hung up, I was shaking with anger.

I really underestimated how low he could go.

He didn't have the guts to face me, so he started bothering my parents instead.

He knew my parents valued stability above all else, and that they were terrified I'd stir up trouble.

He knew that all I ever wanted these past seven years was something real, a commitment.

Now, he was using that "commitment" as bait, tossing it out just to make me cave.

Honestly, it made me sick.

I called Martin right away.

He picked up almost instantly.

"Barbara! You finally decided to talk to me!" he sounded absolutely over the moon.

"Martin, what the hell are you doing?" I didn't beat around the bush, my voice cold as ice. "Going after my parents? Does that make you proud?"

"Barbara, please, just listen to me!" he said desperately. "I wasn't harassing them, I mean it! I've really thought about everything this past month. Without you, my place is a disaster, and I've been eating nothing but takeout. I'm honestly sick of it. I..."

"So, you want me back just so I can do your laundry and cook your meals again?" I said.

"No! No!" Martin protested. "I finally realize how good I had it with you! I want to marry you, Barbara. My mom's already agreed, both our families can sit down, let's get engaged and throw the wedding at the end of the year, okay?"

"No."

He didn't say a word.