Chapter 2

Aurora POV

When I came out of the shower, Julian was leaning against the headboard, looking at his phone.

Seeing me, he put his phone down, pulled me into his arms, and his kisses were already on my neck.

But I felt nothing.

The old me would have hugged him back, kissed him passionately.

Now, I just felt a little sick.

"I'm not feeling so great," I said. "Don't really feel like it tonight. Let's just get some sleep."

He glanced at me, then didn't press the issue.

"Get some rest."

"Mm."

The next morning, I started packing.

The couple's mugs with our initials, sitting on the shelf, went straight into a trash bag.

Next were two matching plaid shirts; I didn't bother folding them, just crumpled them into a ball and shoved them into the bin.

The couple's keychains hanging by the entrance - I took my keys off the table and tossed the clumsy little bear charms away.

All the paired items, one by one, I cleared them out.

"What are you doing?"

Julian frowned, watching me.

I looked back at him, my voice flat. "Everything's old. Time for new things."

With that, I picked up the trash bag and walked out.

The door softly closed behind me.

I went downstairs to throw out the garbage, and my landlady, Mrs. Davis, called.

"Aurora, what's going on with you and Julian? Why are you suddenly saying you're moving out?" Her voice was urgent, with the sounds of cooking in the background.

"Something came up. We won't be living here anymore." I walked under a tree, looking up at the sunlight filtering through the leaves.

"Can't you two just talk things out? Couples argue, it's normal," she began to persuade me. "Julian is such a good guy. Remember that popular bakery? The line was so long, but he waited two hours for you, came back drenched in sweat. And your old desk lamp was completely broken, but he fixed it for you, didn't he? A boyfriend like that is really rare, you should think carefully."

I listened, but didn't respond.

Yes.

So good.

Good enough to fix a cheap old desk lamp with his own hands, just to make me believe in his sincerity, all part of his act.

Waiting in line for two hours? Probably because Tiffany liked that bakery.

I couldn't help but feel ironic.

"We're really over," I cut her off, my voice firm. "Please handle the move-out process according to the contract. As for the deposit, just follow the standard policy."

With that, I hung up the phone.

When I returned to the rental, Julian was already dressed and changing his shoes.

Just then, my phone rang.

Tiffany's name flashed on the screen.

I answered, putting it on speaker.

"Aurora..." Her voice on the other end was tearful. "Mason and I had a fight. I really can't take it anymore. Can you please come stay with me...?"

Julian's hand, tying his shoelaces, froze.

He turned his head, his gaze fixed on my phone, his body unconsciously leaning forward a step.

I saw his reaction clearly, and my heart sank.

I spoke into the phone, deliberately slowing my pace, softening my voice. "Don't rush, tell me slowly. What happened? I have a few things to do here, can I come see you this afternoon, okay?"

Before I even finished, Julian urgently cut me off.

"Go now."

He lowered his voice, but it was laced with urgency and command.

Seeing me just look at him, he seemed to realize his lapse, and added, "She's alone and her emotions are unstable. It wouldn't be good if something happened. I'll drive you."

I watched him calmly.

Watched the urgency on his face that he hadn't quite managed to hide, watched his undisguised concern for another woman.

"Aren't you supposed to be working at that used bookstore across town this morning?"