Chapter 4

"Did Millie tell you that?" I asked.

"She didn't say anything, but I could tell," Caleb replied.

I turned to look at Millie. "Are you tired?"

She looked at me, then suddenly started talking, "Caleb's right. You should have your own job."

Didn't I have my own job? Before I helped Millie start her business, I was the head chef at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.

Back home, I was one of the best young chefs around.

I'd made it all the way to the absolute top of my field.

But for Millie, I gave it all up.

And now, in her eyes, I was a freeloader, mooching off her, doing nothing with my life.

I became an easy target for all her complaints.

After a long pause, I finally spoke. "Fine."

With that, I turned and walked away.

No one tried to stop me, like I was never meant to be there in the first place.

*****

The next morning, when I woke up, Millie was already sitting at the dining table, waiting for me.

"Brandon, my dad was really unhappy with how you acted yesterday," she said.

I poured myself a glass of water and took a few sips.

"And?" I asked.

"Aren't you going to think about it?"

"About what?"

"You were late, didn't really get along with everyone, and the way you acted toward Caleb."

I set down my glass and looked at her. "So what?"

She met my gaze, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

"Brandon, there's only so much I can take. Don't wait until we're really over to come begging me. I won't be coming back," she said.

I looked up sharply. "I won't beg, and you don't need to come back for me."

Millie laughed in exasperation. "After all this time, you're still as stubborn as ever. You're so sure I'll never be the one to break up with you, aren't you?"

I stared at her as if I could see right through her. "So, would you?"

She looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know."

I wondered if she didn't know, or if she was afraid to say it.

But I didn't care anymore.

I walked past her and headed into the kitchen.

"Have you had anything to eat?" I asked.

Millie blinked, a bit caught off guard. "No."

"Then let's grab something together," I said.

I cooked some pasta, fried an egg, and steamed a side of asparagus.

Before serving, I carefully wiped away the drops of sauce that had splashed onto the rim of the plate.

Millie slurped up a big mouthful, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"If you'd acted like this yesterday, maybe I would've already given you the ring," she said.

I hesitated, not really getting what she meant.

She added, "Last night, I was actually ready to hand you the ring so you could propose. I'd already bought the ring."

As she spoke, she slid a black velvet box across the table toward me.

I carefully opened it, and inside was a ring.

It was a plain band, with delicate filigree work carved in the center. It looked sharp.

I picked it up and tried to slip it on, but no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn't fit.

It wasn't my size.

I laughed at myself, still clinging to even the tiniest bit of hope about us.

Ten years together, and the ring she bought for me didn't even fit.

"So why didn't you say anything about it?" I asked.

Millie set down her fork, her voice flat. "Caleb was right. Sometimes you need to be left out in the cold for a while before you finally learn your lesson."

I put the ring back in the box.

"Did Caleb know you wanted to get married?" I asked.

"Yeah, Caleb was the one who helped me pick out the ring," she replied.

So the ring was meant for Caleb.

I chuckled softly and slid the ring back to her. "Here's your ring."

Millie frowned. "Isn't this the part where you get down on one knee and propose?"

I looked up at her. "Do you want me to?"

She grabbed the ring, stuffed it into her pocket, and turned to leave.

"Brandon, trust me. You'll regret this. Good luck getting me to say yes next time," Millie said.

But there wouldn't be a next time.

I asked her, "Millie, do you want to get married now?"

She shook her head. "You're the one who doesn't want to marry me. I've got to work overtime for the next few days, so I won't be coming home."

With that, Millie walked out without looking back.

The silence that followed was almost suffocating.

But by now, I was already used to being alone.

*****

It was 5:30 pm, right in the middle of rush hour. As my ride pulled up to the intersection on Maple South Road, the light turned red.

I stared at the familiar corner, a little dazed. Millie's company was right here.

I turned my head, and there she was, standing at the front entrance of the lobby downstairs.

She looked like she was waiting for someone.

Just then, a car rolled up and stopped right in front of her.

Caleb hopped out, threw his arms around Millie, and pulled her close. The ring on his finger glinted in the sunset, so bright it was almost blinding.

The driver, a local, let out a low whistle as he watched the scene.

He said, "See that? That's Millie Beck, the CEO, and the guy next to her is her boyfriend.

"A few days ago, the video of Millie and that guy ringing the IPO bell was blowing up online. Look at that ring. I bet in a few days, he'll be the CEO himself."

Suddenly, it all felt so ridiculous.

The ring was always meant for Caleb, but Millie kept lying to herself and to me, pretending she still loved me.

I rolled up the window, barely whispering as I tried to steady myself.

"Let's go," I said.

The light turned green, and the car sped off.

The plane soared high above.

Millie had her own kingdom. I had my own little piece of the world.

From now on, I wouldn't by her side anymore.