Goodbye, Red Flag

This was the first time in five years that Sebastian had shown any concern for my well-being. I was, admittedly, touched.

Then I noticed the logo on the bag and the chilled stew inside. I realized it was the same meal he had bought for Suzanna. She probably could not finish it, so he had decided not to waste it.

I looked up at him in silence.

"So… anyway, could you, I don't know, exchange your unit with Suzy?" he said awkwardly. "The landlady won't let her keep a pet where she's staying right now, and she's being evicted over it. It would be such a hassle to find a new place, so I thought… You know, yours is pretty much perfect already."

I laughed bitterly to myself. He had even set his sights on my accommodation for her. Was that what this "supper" had been for?

It did not matter anymore. I was leaving Annsberg and returning home to Downwarren, after all. This property would no longer be mine, so if she wanted it, why not?

I could even give her Sebastian.

I nodded. "Sure."

He looked stunned. "Wait, you agree?"

He studied me from the corner of his eye, then added, "You know I treat Suzy like my little sister, right? You're basically her big sister by extension, so it's pretty reasonable for you to take care of her too.

"Anyway, you've mentioned marriage for a while now, right? I think it's time. We've been together for five years. You should meet my parents."

He seemed suddenly moved and stepped toward me for a hug.

I stopped him with my arm. I wanted to talk about the breakup right then. This was the last chance we had to discuss it face to face.

His phone rang. Unsurprisingly, it was Suzanna.

Sebastian glanced at the screen and declined the call.

It rang again almost immediately.

I stared at him. "Answer it. What if it's an emergency?"

He did. Suzanna's whiny voice came through the line as she cried about falling at home and needing help.

Sebastian ended the call and avoided my gaze. "You know she's living alone right now, right? I think I should go check on her, just in case it's serious. Okay?"

He was asking for my permission. He rarely did.

I decided not to bring up the breakup. I forced a smile. "Yeah. You're right. You should go."

He let out what sounded like a relieved sigh and stood up.

"Remember, we're going to my parents' place tomorrow," he said. "Get ready for that, Maddie. See you tomorrow."

With that, he was gone.

I pressed my lips together. In the end, he could not even respect me enough to talk about the breakup in person.

…

I went to the train station that afternoon after I finished packing. As I boarded, Sebastian sent me a message.

Sebastian: [Suzy sprained her ankle and asked me to drive her home. I can't come pick you up. Sorry. Please get to the venue with Uber or something.]

Nothing surprised me anymore. I sent two replies and boarded the train.

-

Sebastian set his phone down absent-mindedly and drove to the venue under Suzanna's directions.

To his surprise, it was a hotel. She got out of the car and went straight to his parents, wrapping them in a hug. She smiled brightly.

She hooked her arm through Alice Ross' and reached for Sebastian's. "I met your parents earlier today, Bastien! Come on, let's go eat!"

He froze. When reality sank in, he slapped her hand away. "Why did you bring me here? My parents are here for Maddie, not you!"

He pulled out his phone and hurried toward them. "Mom, Dad, Maddie is on her way, okay? She's my girlfriend, so don't do anything inappropriate with Suzy—"

He stopped mid-sentence. He finally saw the messages Madeleine had sent.

Madeleine: [Why should I meet your parents when you never once visited mine? I don't see the point. I quit my job, Sebastian. I'm going home. As I told you, it's over between us.]