Kael didn’t come home that night. When he finally returned the next afternoon, he seemed surprised to find me there.
“Skylar, why didn’t you go to work today?” he asked.
I kept the truth to myself. I didn’t want him to know I had already resigned. I didn’t want him to know anything about what I had decided.
“I wasn’t feeling well today, so I took the day off,” I replied
Kael merely nodded, muttering a distracted “oh” before he turned and walked straight into the bedroom, presumably to pack things for Kaia.
I knew he hadn’t heard me. He didn’t care. He never did.
Ever since Kaia moved in, I had gotten used to being the invisible one, the one who didn’t matter. I felt like an unwelcome guest in my own life, while Kaia was the one who truly belonged.
Five minutes later, Kael emerged, a bag in hand, placing it on the counter by the door. He hesitated as though a thought had just struck him and then came over to me, pulling me into an unexpected hug.
“I’m sorry, Skylar. I’ve been so caught up with taking care of Kaia these past few days. She can’t be left alone, and I’ve neglected you.”
“I promise, once things settle down, I’ll make it up to you. You’ve always wanted to hike Sierra Mountain, right? How about we do that in a few days?”
I remained silent, my heart a heavy weight in my chest. I didn’t have the strength to tell him the truth, that there was no future for us, not anymore.
But Kael, oblivious, smiled to himself and pulled a small, delicate gift box from his pocket.
“Skylar, I bought this for you a while ago but kept forgetting to give it to you,” he said, his smile soft as he opened the box, revealing a small ring.
I didn’t move to take it.
Just days ago, Kaia proudly showed me the very same ring, her fingers glinting as she told me it was the one Kael had given her six years ago when he promised to marry her.
I didn’t know how the ring had made its way back into his hands, but by now, it didn’t matter.
“Keep it for Miss Jennings,” I said coldly, gathering my things. I grabbed a box of random junk and held my bag firmly, my heart already halfway out the door.
Kael froze, his expression turning to one of confusion. A flicker of panic crossed his face.
“Skylar… where are you going?”
“Just out for a walk,” I said.
He followed me a few steps, hesitation in his stride as if he wanted to say something.
“Skylar, did you… see that post on my Instagram?”
I paused.