Chapter 5
The text message from Selena lingered in my mind like a bitter aftertaste.
[So what if you‘ re pregnant? Gary said that if he met me first, he would never love you.]
[Also, guess in his heart, which is more important–the stars or the moon?]
The attached photo of her bruised calf added a twisted layer of provocation.
I didn’t dignify her message with a reply. Instead, I placed a quick call to confirm that my account cancellation process could be finalized today. With a deep breath, I returned to my seat.
As soon as I sat down, Gary’s anxious voice greeted me. “Mary, something urgent came up at the office. I’ve already ordered for you. Can you eat by yourself this time?”
I stared at him, my gaze cool and
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unreadable, “Okay.”
For a moment, he looked startled, almost
wounded.
“Mary, are you upset?” he asked, stepping closer. “I’ll check on the company quickly and come back to be with you.”
He clasped my wrist tightly, but I gently pried his fingers away, one by one. Smiling faintly, I said, “No need. I’ll head home. after eating.”
“Mary, if you‘ re unhappy, I-” His phone buzzed again.
Without hesitation, Gary glanced at the screen. Leaving only a quick, “Next time, bring me here too,” he turned on his heel and strode away.
I watched his retreating figure, my heart
hollow.
There would be no “next time” for Gary.
I watched his retreating figure for a moment before finishing my meal in
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silence. Then, staring at the empty seat across from me, I murmured, “Gary, goodbye forever.”
When I got home, Selena‘ s relentless messages flooded my phone–dozens of smug, provocative texts. I ignored her entirely. Instead, I gave Rudy Olson and the other household staff an unexpected break, thanking them sincerely for their years of service.
Alone in the house, I quietly began to dismantle the life I had built with Gary.
The dressing room, brimming with luxury handbags, designer dresses, and expensive shoes, was emptied. I contacted an auction. site, arranging everything to be sold, with the proceeds donated to charity.
Then came the sentimental items–the framed photo from each anniversary shoot, which Gary once said we‘ d treasure in old age. Hundreds of love letters he’d written while courting me. His framed letter of commitment, once filled with promises of
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undying love.
One by one, I burned every trace, watching our shared memories turn to ash.
By morning, the house was stripped of my presence. Even a strand of my hair was nowhere to be found.
Before leaving, I delivered my anniversary gift to a courier, ensuring it would arrive precisely at the unveiling of the Stars building tomorrow.
Finally, I forwarded screenshots of every one of Selena’s messages to Gary’s phone.
Let him face the truth.
I applied for a temporary ID card and boarded the plane.
As the aircraft ascended, I looked out the window at the towering Stars building rising high into the clouds. Silently, I whispered in my heart:
Gary… I hope you’ll like the gift I’ve left
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for you.
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