Chapter 3

Darcy asked, "So, what's your wish?"

He seemed relieved, then leaned in eagerly. "Stock options? A bonus? Whatever you want, just say the word."

I shook my head and said, "Let's talk about it when you get back."

I turned and headed into the bedroom to start packing the suitcases.

I packed up his stuff and mine.

My phone buzzed with a string of texts, and I wasn't surprised to see they were from Naomi.

Naomi: [Ms. Windrow, Darcy's heading out on a business trip tomorrow. Don't forget to pack the new clothes I picked out for him today.

[I've got great taste, right? Darcy looks way younger in them.

[Ms. Windrow, just let me handle buying clothes for Darcy from now on. You're not as impressive as people say. You can't even keep your man around.]

Almost all of Darcy's clothes were bought by me.

But today, there were quite a few new clothes in the bedroom closet.

In the pocket of one of the jackets, there were a few unopened condoms.

I knew Naomi had put them there on purpose. It was her little power play.

I ignored her and just blocked her number.

I kept packing up the last few things.

After being with Darcy for seven years, all my stuff could fit into a single suitcase.

It was just like my spot in Darcy's world, which could be erased in a heartbeat, as if I never existed.

When I reached the handful of dresses Darcy had ever bought for me, I hesitated for a moment.

He'd actually come shopping with me last year, right before the annual party.

"Winifred, you look great in that," he'd said with a smile, reaching out to adjust the collar for me.

Thinking about it now, it was just a boss treating his reliable assistant.

It had nothing to do with the warmth or affection I'd once believed in.

Just as I was zipping up my suitcase, I overheard Darcy talking in his study.

A person asked, "Darcy, are you really going to propose to Naomi tomorrow? What about Ms. Windrow? Can you really let her go?"

He replied, "Of course, I can't let her go, so don't say a word. Don't let her find out."

Another person said, "Mr. Jenning, you really have it all, your first love and your current obsession, both in your hands."

He replied, "Winifred is not even close to Naomi. She's the one who can't live without me."

I was frozen in place, nailed to the floor.

I was listening to the man I'd loved for ten years brush off my worth like it meant nothing.

There was no warmth, just pure disgust.

I listened to his entire conversation.

Every word was like a dull knife slicing through my heart, until the pain just left me numb.

A college photo slipped out from the pages of a book.

In the picture, I was standing next to Darcy, smiling like an idiot.

But his eyes were fixed on the camera, as if he was searching for someone.

Now, I realized that he was looking for Naomi.

Though Naomi was living abroad at that time, and I was the one sticking with him through every rough patch.

His heart was never mine.

I tossed the photo into the trash, along with seven years of my youth and all the love I'd given him.

When I woke up the next morning, Darcy was already gone.

There was just a note on the table. [Winifred, wait for me to come back.]

I picked up the note, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it into the trash.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I made my way to the door and took one last look at the place we'd called home for years.

From that tiny rented apartment to the dream house we bought, I really thought every step was us building a life together.

It turned out that it was all just my own wishful thinking.

Darcy texted me. [Ms. Windrow, I left the gift for my client at home. Can you find it and send it to this address?]

I knew he was talking about the ring.

I booked a courier for the ring, grabbed a cab, and headed for the airport.

On the way, I sent Darcy one last message. [Darcy, it's over between us.]

As soon as I hit send, I powered off my phone.

As the plane took off, I watched the city get smaller and smaller outside the window, feeling nothing but calm.

I did not feel heartbreak, just relief, like the dust had finally settled.

After seven years, I'd finally learned to let go.

When I got home, my mom had whipped up all my favorite dishes. The whole table was covered with food I loved.

My dad took my suitcase, didn't say a word, just patted my shoulder.

"It's good to have you back," he said.

Life in this small town moved at a laid-back pace, totally different from the nonstop city life I was used to.

I started helping my parents run their bookstore, and sometimes I'd post my thoughts on books to social media.

There were no more endless meetings, late-night business dinners, and drowning in work messages.

It felt like I'd found the old me again, the girl who'd just gotten into college, before Darcy ever came into my life.