My eyes landed on a framed photo on the wall—Natalie and me. In the picture, her expression was stiff, forced. Compared to the radiant smile I had just seen on the lobby screen, the contrast was a cruel joke.
I grabbed a cardboard box. Walked over to the wall. Ripped the photo down. Tossed it into the box face down.
After packing the few personal items I had left, I called a real estate agent.
"Mr. Simmons? You just finished the renovation," the agent said, confused. "If you sell now, you're going to take a massive loss."
"Sell it." My voice was flat. "The faster, the better."
I hung up and continued packing.
My phone buzzed. A message from Natalie.
*【9:30 PM. Come to the Winston Hotel. Pick up Dominic and me.】*
I stared at the message, the screen blurring slightly.
Finally, I typed a reply.
*【No time.】*
I thought my refusal would trigger a reaction—anger, confusion, something.
But the phone remained dark. Silence.
It wasn't until 9:30 PM that another message arrived.
*【We're having a dinner party. You should come too.】*
I didn't want to go. But a morbid curiosity took hold of me. I wanted to see them. I wanted to drive the final nail into the coffin of my attachment.
When I arrived at the private dining room, the party was in full swing.
Natalie glanced at me as I entered. The usual mask of indifference. A symbolic nod.
Then she turned back to Dominic.
They sat in the seats of honor. Dominic was holding court, telling stories that had the table erupting in laughter. In his excitement, he grabbed Natalie's hand.
She frowned slightly.
But she didn't pull away.
Halfway through the meal, Dominic turned his gaze on me. A smirk played on his lips.
"Hey, Liam. I've got a bone to pick with you."
The room went quiet.
"Ms. Henson and I traveled a long way today. Why didn't you drive over to pick us up?"
He swirled the wine in his glass. "As an assistant, you need to be two steps ahead. You need to think of things before we do. If you can't handle basic logistics, you're not qualified to stand next to her."
He leaned back, feigning exasperation. "Do you know how long your negligence made us wait? If Jade hadn't come to get us, Ms. Henson and I would have been sleeping at the airport."
I cut a piece of steak. Didn't look up.
"Can't you take a taxi?"
Dominic's smile froze.
Natalie's head snapped toward me. Her cold mask cracked, revealing a flash of genuine shock.