Running around doing favors for his friends, drumming up business for them, helping with every little thing in their lives.
All for one lousy ‘Thanks, Mrs. Harding’ so Zane could look good in front of his boys.
In the end, none of it mattered. I'd been the only one who cared.
I was tired, and I was done looking for answers.
I picked up my bag and looked Zane dead in the eye.
“We're done. Go chase whatever freedom you think you want.”
I didn't wait to see the shock in his eyes. I turned and walked out without looking back.
He never argued. Never came home. Never sent a single message for days.
I finished tying up loose ends, ready to say goodbye to this place for good.
I was reaching for my suitcase when Zane strolled through the door, smelling like fresh body wash, in an irritatingly good mood.
He spotted me and froze, guilt flashing across his face as he shoved something behind his back.
：“Company team-building trip the last couple days. Got caught up having fun, couldn't get away,” he blurted out.
I looked at the thing he was trying to hide. A jacket. One of those matching couple's sets that had just dropped. Norma had posted the other half in the group chat, showing it off.
I didn't call him out. I just kept walking toward the door.
He raked a hand through his hair, agitation creeping into his voice：
“Eva, why won't you just let me explain? All you ever do is throw a tantrum and run off!”
I held up my hand and cut him off.
I pulled out my approved overseas transfer and felt the weight lift off my chest.
He stood rooted to the spot, clutching the paper, his eyes trembling：
“What is this? You're lying, right?”
He searched my face desperately, hunting for even a trace of a bluff.
There was none.
I shook my head, exhausted by his refusal to face what was right in front of him.
It was all there in black and white.
There was no reason for me to fake a transfer approval just to make him feel guilty.
“Stop lying to yourself. The day you started hiding things from me, you should've known this day was coming.”
I looked up at him one last time. All that was left in my eyes was disappointment.
Then I grabbed my suitcase and walked out. No hesitation. Not this time.
Zane Harding, I was setting you free.
