No Return Shattered by the Heir I Loved

The jade pendant traced an arc through the air and dropped into a trash can full of filth.

Vivienne laughed.

“You want it? Go fish it out.”

I glanced at her, then picked up the coat she'd draped over a chair and plunged it into the trash can——

Vivienne shrieked.

“That's my coat!”

I acted as if I couldn't hear her, using a clean section of the fabric to wipe the grime off the pendant.

Only after every trace of filth was gone did I turn to Andrew.

“We're done.”

Andrew let out a low laugh, not believing a word of it.

“Joy, threatening to break up every time we fight is getting really old.”

As he spoke, he shrugged off his own coat and draped it over Vivienne's shoulders.

“Wear mine for now.”

“I don't want it!” Vivienne yanked it off and threw it on the floor, grinding it under her heel.

I stared at that coat, a hollow ache spreading through my chest.

I'd worked part-time jobs for a full year to save up enough to buy it for him.

It wasn't worth as much as the cheapest thing hanging in Andrew's closet.

But when he'd unwrapped it, his eyes had gone red with emotion.

He'd said he couldn't bear to wear it, that even if it fell apart someday he'd keep it forever.

Well. Andrew would never have to worry about storing that cheap coat again.

Just like this, trampled underfoot along with everything I'd ever felt for him.

That worked out just fine.

On my way out of the private room I could still hear Vivienne throwing a tantrum,

and Andrew coaxing her without a shred of dignity.

The June wind cut strangely cold against my skin.

I went back to the apartment I shared with Andrew.

Shared was generous. He'd paid for everything when we first moved in.

Later, after I'd saved up enough from part-time work, I tried to give him my half, but he wouldn't take it.

I transferred every cent to his account now, labeled it rent.

For once, Andrew replied instantly.

【What's that supposed to mean? You trying to cut me out of your life?】

【Vivienne's been spoiled, she's got a temper. Don't take it personally.】

【I already sent the coat you gave me to get cleaned. I'm not throwing it away.】

【Joy, so what if you stay in Riverside City? I'll be right here with you.】

He still didn't understand.

He had no idea what his lie had done to me.

I could never again trust that boy who used to climb the orphanage wall just to sneak me out to play.

The glass marbles Andrew had tossed to me when we were kids,

the cicada he'd folded from a leaf,

the three lines of poetry he'd written during calligraphy practice,

I poured every last one of them out of the tin box and cinched the garbage bag shut.

I was dragging my suitcase downstairs to toss the bag when

Andrew came back.

He hurled his suitcase to the ground so hard the shell cracked open, though there was barely anything inside.

He was breathing hard when he turned on me.

“You're breaking up with me, moving out, and you don't even want to stay in Riverside City. Is this about the owner of that coffee shop where you work Sundays?”

Andrew didn't wait for an answer.

“Vivienne told me everything. She saw you laughing and chatting with that manager, and now he's moving up north, so you're just going to follow him……”

“Do you fall for anyone who's nice to you? Joy, are you really that desperate for love?”

I was almost numb.

The Andrew who'd cupped my face in his hands and sworn he would love me with everything he had. Where did that person go?

Why did everything change the moment Vivienne came back from overseas for high school?

My phone buzzed. An anonymous text.

【You want to break up with Andrew, right? Let me give you a hand.】

Andrew saw the screen light up and assumed I was texting someone else. His face went white with rage.

“I'm standing right here and you're already flirting with someone else? Have you no shame?!”

I couldn't hold back the bitter fury any longer.

“You're calling me shameless? Like you and Vivienne have any room to talk?!”