Chapter 4

When I got back from campus to the apartment, I found the place empty.

The two-bedroom in Cambridge belonged to Leo. Since we were about to get married, I had moved in with him. But we still hadn't gone any further. We each had our own bedroom.

At this hour, Leo was usually already home. He would sit in the study, polished and composed, reading while he waited for me to cook dinner.

Today, he wasn't here.

I didn't have to guess where he had gone.

Melissa had been coming around for days. Lately, he had been running around handling her problems.

In my past life, I would have been anxious. Suspicious. Unable to sit still.

Now, my heart didn't ripple at all.

I opened the fridge, took out ingredients, and cooked for myself.

A fresh T-bone steak seared until both sides were browned and fragrant. I drizzled it with black pepper sauce and plated it with roasted asparagus. The whole apartment filled with a rich, savory smell.

It was a celebration dinner.

For the freedom I was about to have.

I went back to my room and brought out a bottle of champagne.

But before I could pull the cork, the lock turned.

Leo walked in.

Leo wasn't alone.

As expected, Melissa came in behind him, with her son, Liam.

Even though Leo had already rented her an apartment in Back Bay, she still came here often.

This time, the three of them wore matching Harvard hoodies. Standing together like that, they looked like a real family.

Liam carried a few toys and some balloons in his hands.

They had been laughing and talking, but the moment they saw me, the voices cut off.

Leo paused, awkward and stiff, then explained, "Liam said he's never been to an amusement park with his dad, so I took him to Six Flags. Sarah, I hope you don't mind."

I lifted my eyes, my tone edged with open mockery. "Are you Liam's dad?"

He froze.

For a moment, he didn't seem to know how to answer.

Melissa stepped forward, her face pinched with grievance. "Sarah, I'm sorry. It was me. I'm the one who asked Leo to go with Liam. If you're going to blame someone, blame me."

I turned my head away.

A couple of sarcastic words were enough. I didn't want to waste time on them.

So I said flatly, "I was joking. I don't mind."

With that, the air turned sharply uncomfortable.

Right then, Liam ran to the dining table and spotted my steak.

"Wow! A huge steak! I want it! I want it!"

He reached out to grab it.

I reacted faster, sliding the plate away. "No. This isn't for you."

Liam burst into loud sobs.

Melissa hurried to pick him up. She wiped his tears, then said timidly, as if afraid to offend me, "Is Sarah... not welcoming us? Then I won't eat here anymore."

Leo frowned at me. "It's just a meal. Is this really necessary? The kid likes your cooking. What's wrong with making one more portion? It's not like we can't afford it."

After he spoke, Liam was still wailing, so Leo simply took him from Melissa's arms.

"Come on," Leo said, his voice softening. "I will take you to McDonald's."

The three of them left, one after another.

As she went out, Melissa shot me a look that was subtle and provocative at the same time.

I stayed unmoved.

After the door closed behind them, I opened the champagne.

Pop. The cork flew, and fine bubbles surged up the neck of the bottle.

I poured myself a glass.

Leo hadn't noticed. Not only had I not cooked for Melissa and her son.

I hadn't cooked for him, either.

I looked up at the calendar on the wall.

Thirty days.

In thirty days, I could leave him completely.

This glass was to me—finally dragging myself out of the swamp of my past life. No more swallowing my anger. No more wandering in doubt.

From this moment on.

To my rebirth.