Chapter 2

The whole morning, Declan only sent me one text.

*Declan: See what my mom said in the group chat. I don't have time right now.*

I muted the group chat. Archived the thread.

Days had passed. No one—not even Declan—had noticed my silence.

Ridiculous.

I wanted to laugh. But then I thought about six years of trying to please the Thornton family, and getting nothing back. That added something else to my chest.

At noon, they came back laughing and talking.

One shopping trip, and Ainsley had a new Hermès bag. The latest season. Expensive. You needed purchase history to even get one.

I'd mentioned it to Declan once. He said it wasn't worth it. Didn't buy it for me.

"Eleanor, we got you something too." Ainsley waved at Declan.

He set several shopping bags in front of me.

"Pick whatever you want."

Inside were accessories. Scarves. Small goods. The clothes were in Ainsley's size. One look and I knew I couldn't wear them.

I went through everything. Took all the scarves.

Good enough. Welcome gifts for my new colleagues tomorrow. Save me the trouble of shopping.

"What did my mom say in the group chat?" Declan asked.

I ignored him. Kept folding the scarves.

"I'm talking to you."

I looked up.

"You're asking me? I don't know. I'm not in the group anymore. Your mom said to come to Lake Forest tonight for dinner and asked what we wanted to eat."

Ainsley was scrolling through her phone.

Declan just stared at me.

"Why'd you leave the group?"

"No point in staying," I said.

I used to be active in that chat.

His mom posted vacation photos from Nantucket. I'd comment on how beautiful it was.

His dad posted a big fish he caught. I'd praise it.

Relatives' kids got into Ivy League schools. Someone had a baby. I'd send red envelopes in the chat. Help hype up the mood.

But when I got promoted to senior project manager and posted the news, almost no one replied.

Eventually I got quiet. Stopped opening the chat at all.

No point in staying.

"We should head over early this afternoon," I said. "I have some documents at the house I need to pick up."

No one answered me.

I didn't care. Carried the scarves to my room and packed them into gift boxes. Tied the ribbons.

When I was done, it was four in the afternoon.

"Let's go."

Declan and Ainsley walked ahead. Talking about something funny that happened when they watched the Navy Pier fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Ainsley turned her head.

"Eleanor, how did you spend last night?"

How did I spend it.

Morning. Heard Declan say he'd spend Thanksgiving with me. Got excited all day.

Drove to Whole Foods. Bought the organic ingredients he liked. Roasted the turkey. Made the mashed potatoes from scratch. Carried everything home myself, sweating and struggling.

Seven in the evening. Got his message that he was on his way. Started cooking.

The TV played a replay of the Thanksgiving parade. My heart was singing.

Eight o'clock. Declan still wasn't home. I called several times. No answer.

Thought it was traffic. Kept setting the table.

Nine. Ten. I sat at the table. Kept looking at the clock over the fireplace.

The food went cold. Thick grease congealed on the roasted turkey he loved.

Almost midnight.

On TV, the Times Square New Year's countdown started.

At home, I sat alone. Staring at my phone. Waiting for Declan to say something.

Even one word—*something came up, don't wait for me*—would have hurt less.

The clock struck midnight.

Amid all the celebration, I cried.

Tears fell on the linen tablecloth.

I thought, I should be used to this by now. Years of him missing every important holiday.

But this time was different. He'd promised.

Made me wait for nothing. Made me hope for nothing. Made me think I was finally special to him, then slapped me across the face.

It shattered my illusion. And it shattered my heart.

The thing itself wasn't that big. But it was the last straw.

It made me finally decide—I was leaving Declan Thornton. I couldn't take his push-and-pull anymore.

"I had a great night," I told Ainsley.

Because it gave me the courage to leave.