Chapter 5
After Sebastian left, I grabbed my laptop and started working on my economics column.
My column was always a hit, and even though I was technically on vacation, my company still insisted I keep up the weekly updates.
Out of the blue, Zackery called me.
"Hey, where are you?" he snapped, sounding pretty aggressive.
I really didn't feel like answering him, so I asked flatly, "What do you want?"
"I said, where are you? Answer me," he ordered, voice full of authority.
He was bossy as ever, never taking no for an answer.
Before, I used to cut him some slack because I knew how busy and stressed he was at work. I hardly ever called him out on it.
But now, I didn't owe him a thing. I had zero reason to put up with his attitude anymore.
"Looks like you've got a selective memory, Mr. Quinn. Did you forget we already broke up?" I said coldly.
He paused for a second, clearly caught off guard.
"I don't owe you any updates on my whereabouts," I added. "So, what do you want? I'm busy."
His voice softened for a second, but then turned icy again. "Yvonne, don't be ungrateful."
I let out a mocking laugh. "Mr. Quinn, maybe save that bossy tone for your employees. I'm not yours anymore—not your staff, not anyone to you."
My indifference only made him angrier. "Come get your stuff out of my place."
Without hesitation, I shot back, "Just toss it all. That place just feels dirty to me now."
Zackery hung up on me, just like that.
Zackery's POV
Zackery slumped onto the couch, a splitting headache throbbing in his skull after hanging up on Yvonne.
Last night had been another round of heavy drinking—calling up friends, the place packed and noisy, glasses clinking everywhere.
But when the party was over, he just felt strangely empty, like something important was missing by his side.
There was no one to cover for him when he drank too much, no one nagging in his ear, saying, "Take it easy. Don't drink so much," like Yvonne used to.
No one to steady him when he stumbled, no one to drive him home, help him change, or help him freshen up before bed.
In the morning, there was no breakfast waiting for him, no glass of his usual honey water to ease the hangover.
No perfectly pressed suits and shirts waiting for him in the closet, spotless and wrinkle-free.
At first, Zackery didn't feel much of anything.
If anything, he actually felt like he was finally free.
All these years, Yvonne had been like a saint to him.
She looked after him, forgave all his flaws, and made him feel more and more like a total asshole who didn't deserve her.
But she was always so dependent on him, like she'd made up her mind that he was the only one for her. He thought she simply couldn't live without him.
He just couldn't stand that feeling. It was like carrying a weight that only got heavier the longer he stayed with her.
But this time, it really felt like she was completely out of his life.
Before, whenever they fought, she'd always come back to him, never staying mad for more than three days.
She'd stroke his hair and say, "Zackery, we've been through so much together. It hasn't been easy, but we made it through the hardest times. Let's both compromise a little and cherish what we have, okay?"
Zackery had gotten used to these breakups and makeups, used to her always being the one to swallow her pride and come back to him.
He just took it for granted that Yvonne would always put up with his crap, no matter what.
But this time, she was really out of his life. For real.
It had been half a month, and Yvonne hadn't reached out at all. Word from Leila was that she was off vacationing in Hoficaster.
That pissed Zackery off.
He deliberately had Xandy wear the engagement ring he'd meant for Yvonne, just to make a point.
On his birthday, after struggling with himself, he decided he owed Yvonne an explanation and maybe owed himself one too.
He thought a ring and a marriage would make everything right.
That morning, he saw Yvonne open the ring box, happiness lighting up her face.
He really was going to propose.
But then she just had to freak out again, and ruin everything herself.
Zackery thought that guys always trash-talked with friends, but Yvonne overacted and embarrassed him.
So, Zackery deliberately invited a bunch of financial reporters to cover the launch of his new company.
He made a point of putting his arm around Xandy, making sure they were both front and center on the news.
He knew Yvonne had tuned in to that financial channel every morning since college.
He even went out of his way to slip the reporter some money.
He ordered, "Make sure to get lots of close-ups and keep us on screen as long as you can."
Yvonne must've seen it for sure.
But she didn't even bat an eye.
Zackery buried his face in his hands, suddenly hit by fear, regret, and frustration. Above all, he was pissed.
He kicked over the old trash can next to him, and a fancy little box rolled out among the garbage.