After I hung up, I lay on the bed and slid my finger slowly across the phone screen.
The album was nothing but photos of Eugene and me. Him holding my hand by the sea on a trip, him fastening a necklace around my neck on my birthday…
I closed my eyes, and all I could see was the way he'd shielded Lisa from the drinks tonight.
When I opened them again, my finger had already moved to Select All.
I pressed delete.
Less than ten minutes later, Christina Cooley sent me a screenshot with a string of question marks.
I didn't answer. I opened my feed instead.
The newest post was Lisa's: a photo of a man from behind.
Anyone who knew Eugene would recognize him.
【I want to build a home with him.】
I quietly tapped Like, then closed the app.
The next day, I went into the office to process my resignation.
Ezra Lambert looked at the letter I handed over, picked it up, set it down, and stayed silent for a few seconds before he spoke. "You're sure?"
I nodded. "Yes. I'm sure."
I'd stayed in Seaport City because of Eugene in the first place.
Now there was nothing in Seaport City worth staying for.
After work, I met up with Christina.
She cursed Lisa for being shameless and cursed Eugene for being blind, both in the same breath.
I smiled and put a piece of food in her bowl. "All right, don't be angry. It's not worth it."
She set down her chopsticks and looked at me, serious. "You've really thought it through? Leaving him?"
I picked up a slice of tripe and swished it in the pot.
"Yes. I've thought it through."
We finished and walked out of the hot pot place.
At the door, we ran into Eugene and Lisa.
My eyes went to Lisa's hand looped through his arm.
He saw me, and without thinking he pulled his arm free and stepped half a pace to the side.
I gave a bitter little laugh.
This hot pot place. I'd asked him here three times.
The first time, he said he had to help Lisa with an experiment.
The second time, Lisa had a fever.
The third time, Lisa was in a bad mood.
Now here he was, with Lisa.
Lisa lifted her face into a smile and looked at me, smug.
"Amelia, I didn't realize you liked this place too. Looks like we have the same taste."
Christina stepped in front of me and planted her hands on her hips.
"You think you're fit to compare yourself to my Amelia? The only thing you're fit for is trailing after her and picking up the trash she throws away."
Lisa stumbled back a couple of steps, reaching out to grab me, her voice all hurt. "Amelia, that's not what I meant…"
When I pulled my hand back, she let herself fall with the motion and dropped to the ground.
Eugene's face changed in an instant. He bent down and helped her up.
When he lifted his head to look at me, his eyes had already gone cold. "Amelia, that was too much. Apologize to Lisa. Now."
"I did nothing wrong. Why would I apologize?"
Lisa tugged at the hem of his shirt, her voice soft. "Eugene, it's okay… I just lost my footing. It's not Amelia's fault."
Eugene bent his head to comfort her, his voice gentle. "You don't have to make excuses for her. It's just her jealousy talking."
I thought my heart had died long ago, but in that moment it still hurt so much I couldn't breathe.
My eyes stung. I reached over and tugged at Christina. "Christina, let's go."
On the way home, Christina kept turning to look at me, like she wanted to say something and couldn't.
When we were almost there, I finally spoke. "Christina, I'm fine. Oh, and remember to come to my wedding."
She blinked. "What wedding?"
"The one the family arranged. You'll find out when the time comes."
Back home, I started packing.
Looking at the half-empty "home," I felt a little hollow.
I took out my phone and placed an order to ship the boxes back home.
The courier had just taken the boxes away when Eugene came back.
