Chapter 5: The Dinner Reservation

After I paid, Derek said he had something to do and whisked Lillian away. I knew exactly where they went: the famous sky restaurant that needed a year’s reservation. I’d seen it on his phone before the trip, dreaming he was planning to propose. Turns out, he’d booked it for Lillian over a year ago.

He staggered in at 2 a.m., stinking of whiskey and expensive perfume. I was still up, the blue glow of my phone lighting the room. Derek scowled:

"What are you doing? Don’t you trust me?"

His eyes darted around, like he was caught sneaking in after curfew. I held his gaze and forced a gentle smile:

"How could I not? We’ve been together five years. You know I’ve always trusted you."

He relaxed, the anger slipping away, replaced by smugness:

"Good. You’re three years older than me. Being with you is actually a loss for me. People keep saying you’re not worthy of me. It’s because I love you that I haven’t broken up with you."

He stepped closer, arms outstretched, but I dodged. His shirt was thick with Lillian’s floral perfume—so strong it turned my stomach.

He thought I was just being picky about the booze. He gave me a crooked smile, then ducked into the bathroom, humming.

I steadied myself on the dresser and stared at the airline’s app on my phone, thumb trembling. By morning, this nightmare would be over—one way or another.

Suddenly, Derek swung the bathroom door open, catching sight of my phone screen. His voice turned sharp:

"What are you doing?"