Dear, I'm Leaving for Good!

The people around me nudged me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I realized everyone was looking at me.

Michael said in a low voice. "Rachel, if you want to make a scene, do it at home. Do not ruin the fun here."

I did not want to stay and be a third wheel either.

"Then I will head back first."

Without looking at Michael's face, dark enough to drip ink, I grabbed my bag and stood up.

I heard Sophia's voice behind me. "Michael, Rachel is not mad at me again, is she?"

Michael comforted her gently. "No, she just has this weird temper."

Without me, the atmosphere quickly livened up again.

As I closed the door, I saw Michael and Sophia drinking arm-in-arm.

Michael had never shown me such enthusiasm in public.

Watching their intimacy, I would not be surprised if they went to a hotel room tonight.

After all, they looked more like a loving couple.

Under the guise of friendship, they relived the sweetness of their past romance.

Those subtle, intriguing ambiguities tested my patience.

When the weather got cold, Sophia would wear Michael's coat.

When carpooling, Sophia insisted on sitting in the front seat, feeding Michael snacks.

They played their parts perfectly, claiming I was overreacting when I got upset.

Until tonight, when under the influence of the game and alcohol, they kissed publicly at the party.

This had never happened before.

Michael believed I loved him and could not leave him, so he acted recklessly.

Before I left the restaurant, a colleague from my department texted me.

[Rachel, you just left like that? Are you not going to keep an eye on Mr. Smith? After you left, they became even more brazen!]

I silently read the message.

Could I really control him?

After taking care of him for so many years, I was exhausted.

After leaving the hotel, the chilly wind blew through my hair, also blowing away my lingering ailments.

I turned off my phone and put it in my bag.

Wrapping my coat tighter, I walked into the cold wind.

Suddenly, I realized that I might be able to stop loving Michael!

I returned to the villa.

This was the first property Michael bought after his startup succeeded.

We designed it together, arranging everything bit by bit.

The coffee table in the living room had my favorite flowers.

The shelves by the sofa held his favorite books.

I had long considered this place my home.

Just like I loved Michael, I loved this place.

I chuckled at myself.

He was lost in his romance, not needing my love.

I went upstairs, took a shower, and fell into bed to sleep.

Around three in the morning, I heard some banging sounds downstairs.

Michael was back.

I thought he would not return tonight.

Usually, when he drank heavily while socializing, he came home late at night.

I would always leave a light on in the living room, ready to make sobering soup and run a hot bath for him.

Maybe the sudden lack of light made him uncomfortable, and he tripped.

Michael pushed open the door, expecting my usual hysterics.

But he was met with silence.

For the first time, he was wrong.

This time, I remained calm throughout.

It did not seem like myself to be so calm.

Sensing something off, Michael stood by the bed.

He reeked of alcohol, mixed with the jasmine scent Sophia liked.

"Rachel?"

He called my name, but I pretended to sleep.

He watched me for a few minutes, then snorted coldly, stumbling out of the room.

He slammed the door, shaking the entire villa.

I knew he was unhappy about me ignoring him.

He could be as angry as he wanted.

Because he believed I would always soothe him.