Chapter 4

Saturday afternoon at three, I boarded the train to Boston with my two suitcases.

At the exact same time, the Vance family dinner was starting.

Chloe, dressed in a stunning red dress, sat right next to Eleanor.

The relatives were calling her the "new bride" left and right.

Julian leaned back in his chair, his expression indifferent, looking like he was just playing along with a mandatory corporate routine.

It wasn't until his grandmother pulled out a jewelry box containing a ring that he finally frowned.

"Let's skip the ring."

Eleanor lowered her voice.

"We've already come this far. What's wrong with putting it on for a second?"

Chloe looked at him too.

"Julian, just for a moment."

Julian didn't take it.

It wasn't that he suddenly realized how much I was hurting.

He just thought it would be too much of a hassle to comfort me later.

"She already overthinks everything."

"If she sees a photo of the ring, she's going to throw a fit tonight."

The smile on Chloe's face stiffened for a fraction of a second.

But she quickly smiled again.

"You really do care about Harper."

Julian laughed softly.

"With her temper, only I can put up with her."

"No ring, but we can do the rest."

"Before she starts threatening to break up again."

So, the toasts were made.

The family photos were taken.

The relatives called Chloe "daughter-in-law" over and over again.

And Julian didn't say a single word to stop them.

It wasn't until the dinner ended that he finally picked up his phone.

I had sent him one last message at noon.

"No need to pick me up."

He stared at the screen for two seconds, his heart softening slightly. He smirked.

Then, he replied:

"I've given you time to cool off."

"I'll be there at nine."

"Don't cry on my shoulder when I get there."

The next second, a "Not Delivered" warning appeared under his message.

Julian frowned.

"She blocked me?"

Chloe leaned in to look.

"Harper seems really mad this time."

"She's just bluffing," Julian said, putting his phone away.

"It's been seven years. When has she ever actually left?"

Despite his words, he took a ten-mile detour on his way back.

He bought my favorite chestnut cake.

Passing by a florist, he pulled over.

The florist asked what to write on the card.

He thought about it, a smile playing on his lips.

"Write—Stop playing around. Come home."

At 9:20 PM.

Julian stood outside my rented apartment.

"Incorrect passcode."

He frowned and tried again.

Still incorrect.

The smile on his face slowly dissolved.

He knocked on the door for a long time.

There was no sound from inside.

Instead, the door next door opened.

The landlord, wearing a jacket, peeked her head out.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Harper Ward."

"She's gone."

Julian paused.

"Gone... what do you mean?"

The landlord answered bluntly.

"Gone means she ended her lease and moved out. All her stuff is gone."

"She said she's never coming back."

Julian snapped his head up.