Chapter 9: Letting Go

I didn’t take the key card.

In all that noise, I said, “Tell him, we’re done.”

Derek’s face fell, like he couldn’t believe it. His hand holding the card shook. “What?”

I said it again, slower.

He stared at me, eyebrows drawn. “Wait, you’re really ending it? You know Caleb doesn’t do second chances. Except, well…”

Except Lillian.

He’s always been waiting for her.

I nodded, my voice steady. “Yeah.”

He pressed his lips, thinking hard. “You two seemed fine. Why now…” He trailed off, maybe realizing it wasn’t his business. He just nodded. “Okay. Make sure you move your stuff out of his place. If L—if someone sees, it won’t look good.”

I gave a small laugh. “Okay.”

I moved fast that night—packed up everything I’d left at his place and walked out. He’d given me a lot, but I didn’t take any of it. The two contracts, I left on his desk, untouched.

I’d made up my mind. Taking his gifts would only hurt more.

Back at my apartment, I didn’t think about anything. I just slept. For hours.