During My Heart Attack, My Boyfriend Chose to Carry Away His Lover

The next morning, out of habit, I prepared breakfast for two.

Austen sat across from me, his expression tense as he silently ate.

For a while, neither of us said a word.

He suddenly noticed the suitcase in the corner of the living room, a peculiar smile creeping onto his face.

"Caitlyn, so this is your real intention, huh?"

I looked at him, puzzled.

Austen leaned back in his chair, his face turned mocking.

"You must have known about the company's trip plans and that we could bring a guest. So, you threw a fit just to get me to take you along, right?

Why couldn't you just ask me directly?"

I understood what he was thinking.

Remembering Jaelyn's excited tweet about an upcoming trip, I realized she had been referring to this.

I kept eating my breakfast in silence, not bothering to respond.

Thinking he had figured it out, Austen let out a sarcastic laugh, then spoke coldly.

"I can bring you along tomorrow. We're going to Aeloria."

With that, he left.

I froze, my spoon still in hand.

I hadn't expected they were going to Aeloria.

That was where Austen and I had gone to college, and it was also my hometown.

Six years ago, I had left Aeloria and followed Austen to Nivara despite my parents' objections.

Nivara was thousands of miles away from Austen's home.

In those six years, I had barely visited my parents.

Thinking about it, I decided to treat this trip as a vacation for myself, a chance to see them again.

The next day, Austen, as the company representative, led a group of dozens of employees and their families on the trip.

When I arrived at the airport, I saw him gently wiping Jaelyn's mouth.

He was so tender, his movements so careful.

When Jaelyn saw me, she giggled and ran over.

"Caitlyn, don't misunderstand. I was holding an ice cream, and that's why Austen was wiping my mouth."

She seemed anxious, but her eyes sparkled with a challenge.

I knew it was just a petty attempt to provoke me.

I shook my head, showing I didn't care.

While waiting for the flight, I got a call from Lyanna.

She asked if I was sure about going to Elarion next Monday.

I said, "I've already booked my ticket. I'll spend a couple of days with my parents first, then head straight there."

As soon as I finished speaking, I heard Austen's voice, laced with confusion, behind me:

"Where are you going?"

I hung up and answered casually, "I'm planning to visit my parents tomorrow. It's been years since I last saw them."

Austen was taken aback.

Maybe he was remembering how, back in college, my parents had treated him like their own son.

He nodded and sat down beside me. Then he pulled out his phone and transferred $100,000 to me.

"Use this to buy something nice for your parents."

I accepted the money without hesitation.

After a moment of silence, Austen suddenly asked why I hadn't been going to work lately.

"I'm a little tired. I want to take a break."

In the past, my life had revolved around two things: Austen and work.

I used to think this kind of busy life was fulfilling and happy.

I could leave work at seven and still have dinner ready by eight, cooking all of Austen's favorite dishes.

I could also take care of a drunk Austen even when work was overwhelming.

But when he no longer needed me, I found myself feeling lost whenever I wasn't working.

I didn't want to see that version of myself anymore.

Maybe separating from him would help me find a new meaning in life.

When we landed, it was already evening. I hadn't expected Austen to leave Jaelyn behind to accompany me to my parents' house.

He stopped by the store and bought a ton of things, then walked in and chatted with my parents as if it were old times.

The next day, my parents went out of their way to buy a lot of ingredients to make a special dinner.

Austen chatted with them, making them laugh until they were in tears.

I used to long for him to interact with my parents this way, and now that it was happening, I realized I didn't want it as much as I thought I would.

Noticing how unusually quiet I was, Austen came over to me. "We've finally come back. If you keep looking unhappy, how can your parents be happy?"

He was so considerate now.

I didn't respond, just nodded absently.

Seeing my lack of enthusiasm, Austen frowned. He seemed like he wanted to say more, but his phone suddenly rang.

His expression grew more anxious with each passing moment.

Then, without another word, he dashed outside.

Even after my parents had finished cooking dinner, Austen hadn't returned.

They wanted to wait for him, but I convinced them not to.

I told them Austen had left because he was too busy with work.

But I knew the real reason. I knew it was because of Jaelyn.

The next day, Austen finally called me.

"Jaelyn sprained her ankle. I'm at the hospital with her now.

"The doctor said she needs rest. She's craving chicken soup. The takeout isn't good, so can you make some and bring it over?"

He said it like it was a given, his tone full of entitlement.

I calmly agreed.

But as soon as I hung up, I grabbed my suitcase and hailed a cab to the airport.

The time had finally come; I could leave at last.

Right before boarding, I received a message from Austen.

He asked: [Where are you? Why haven't you brought it over yet?]

[Caitlyn, what trick are you playing this time?]

I replied with just one sentence: [We're done.]