Chapter 2

I put down my utensils. "Let's go."

A smile instantly spread across Ryan's face, as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

On the way to the bank, he started humming, which was a rare sight. I sat there in silence, watching the scenery whizzing past outside the window.

I couldn't help but wonder if those hurried people were just like me, holding back a flood of emotions behind their calm faces.

At the bank counter, when the teller confirmed the transfer amount, my heart clenched. 60 thousand dollars was an entire year of overtime, networking, and stress. And just like that, it slipped away into another account.

Larissa's call came in just as the transfer finished.

"Ryan, I got the money," she said, her voice ringing clear through the phone. "I always knew my son is capable. When you come home for the holidays this year, I've got a big cash gift waiting for you."

Ryan replied with a smile, his face lit up with pride at her praise.

At that moment, I felt exhausted to the bone.

After I got home, I locked myself in the study, booted up my laptop, and started typing the transfer application.

I let my mouse hover over the "Submit" button for ages before finally slamming it down, feeling the weight of it all.

"So, you've made up your mind?" my boss called an hour later. "Pronburgh's not exactly a walk in the park, but it'll be great for your career. I'll give you a week to get ready. Sound good?"

"Sure," I replied, surprised myself at how calm my voice sounded.

At dinner, Ryan was peeling shrimp for Jodie when I put down my fork, making sure my voice was clear. "I've applied for a three-year transfer to the Pronburgh branch."

His hand jerked, and a shrimp slipped onto the table. "What? Since when?"

"Just today," I said.

"Why didn't you talk to me about it first?" Ryan actually raised his voice at me.

"Talk to you?" I arched an eyebrow. "Or was I supposed to check with your mom instead?"

He choked, his face going from red to pale. "Come on, babe, this isn't funny."

"I'm not joking," I replied, not even pausing as I kept eating. "I'm leaving next Wednesday."

He stared at me, trying to figure out if I was serious. Finally, he gave a laugh, like he was relieved.

He said, "Alright, you win. I shouldn't have pushed you about the transfer. Don't take it personally, okay? This isn't something to joke about."

He thought I was just pissed off.

He figured this was just another way I vented my frustration, and that I'd be back to normal in a few days.

I didn't bother explaining myself.

For the next few days, I quietly packed my things, handled the paperwork, and started searching for an apartment in Pronburgh. Ryan was convinced I was just making a scene, and he even kindly helped me pack my clothes.

"Just go for a few days and come back, alright? Don't keep this up for too long." He grinned as he helped me into the car.

I rolled down the window and took one last look at the home I'd built over the past five years.

"Ryan," I said, my voice suddenly serious, "this is the last time I'm sending my year-end bonus to Larissa."

He paused for a second, then waved it off. "Alright. I know you're upset. We'll talk it out when you get back."

The car started up, and in the rearview mirror, his figure grew smaller and smaller until he disappeared from sight.

My phone buzzed with a voice message from Larissa. [Valerie, I heard you're on a business trip? Try to get back early, okay? All the relatives are coming over for the holidays, and there's a ton of stuff to get ready.]

I didn't bother replying.

As the plane lifted off, I watched the city grow smaller beneath me, and for once, I felt truly free.

*****

A month later, I was in my new office at the Pronburgh branch, looking out over the city at night. Everything still felt strange.

My phone wouldn't stop buzzing on the desk, Ryan's name lighting up the screen again and again.

There were eighteen missed calls.

Finally, I gave in and answered.

"Babe, when are you coming back? The mortgage payment failed today. The bank says there's not enough money in my account." His voice was anxious and confused.

I walked over to the window, seeing my own calm face reflected in the glass.

"Go ask your mom for it," I said.

With that, I hung up and switched my phone to silent.

The phone stayed silent for a full three minutes.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the twenty-third floor, watching the cars zip by below, their headlights weaving through the streets.

Pronburgh's nights were way brighter than back home. The neon glow almost turned night into day.

Then my phone buzzed again. Larissa's name flashed on the screen.

I let it ring, turning away and pouring myself a glass of water. It was just the right temperature; none of that hassle with the unreliable water dispenser back home.

This apartment wasn't big, but everything was set up just the way I liked. It was simple, and had none of those gaudy, old-school wood carvings Larissa kept forcing on us.

The phone finally went quiet, but then lit up again, this time with a video call from Larissa.

I took a sip of water and hit answer.

Larissa's face filled the screen, with the living room I knew so well in the background. The antique-style sofa she picked out herself was impossible to miss.