Chapter 3

"Are you here to pick up some things? Let me help you find them."

Chloe was standing in the living room.

I paused in the foyer for two seconds before walking inside.

"No need. I can find my own things."

A new box of herbal tea sat on the coffee table.

Something was simmering on the stove in the kitchen, filling the air with the smell of broth.

A sticky note was plastered onto the fridge. The handwriting wasn't mine: *Austin, remember to stay hydrated!*

Chloe followed close behind, chattering as we walked. "Austin said this morning you might come back for your stuff. He asked me to help host you. He had an urgent meeting at the firm and couldn't make it back for lunch."

"He let you stay here?"

"Yeah. His stomach hasn't been great lately, so I put together a meal plan for him. The broth needs someone watching the heat."

I walked into the master bedroom and opened the nightstand drawer.

Deed, passport, birth certificate, bank books—I pulled them out one by one and slipped them into my bag.

Chloe leaned against the doorframe, watching me.

"Piper, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Are you really breaking up with Austin?"

"Yes."

She lowered her head, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Then what about him?"

"He has you to look after him."

Chloe waved her hands frantically. "Piper, you've got the wrong idea! Austin and I are truly just friends.

When I moved back, I had trouble adjusting. He helped me out so much, and I just wanted to return the favor."

"By staying in his house, making him soup, and leaving sticky notes on his fridge?"

She froze, her cheeks flushing red. "Piper, that sticky note was just a casual reminder. I didn't mean anything by it."

I didn't bother continuing the conversation. I walked into the walk-in closet.

I opened the doors. The left side was filled with Austin's suits; the right side used to be entirely mine.

Now, more than half of it was empty.

Hanging in the cleared-out space were three brand-new designer dresses, tags still attached. Definitely not my style.

Chloe spoke softly from behind me. "Those... his mom bought those for me. She told me to wear them when I go out with Austin this weekend."

This weekend. Miami.

Austin's mother had bought her clothes and hung them in my closet.

I took down my remaining coats, folded them, and packed them into my duffel bag.

Walking out of the bedroom, I pushed past her and headed back to the living room.

The pot on the stove was bubbling loudly.

The sound of keys turning in the lock came from the front door. Austin walked in. He looked at the bags in my hands first, then at Chloe, his brow furrowing.

"You came? Why didn't you call me?"

"Just getting my things."

He caught sight of my personal documents peeking out of my bag, and his expression darkened.

"What do you need those for?"

"Going abroad."

"Abroad? Where?"

"Haven't decided yet."

"Piper Hayes," his voice dropped, heavy with frustration. "Can you stop stirring up drama every single day? You're pregnant. You aren't going anywhere."

Chloe cut in right on cue. "Austin, don't yell at her. Maybe she just wants to take a vacation to clear her head."

Austin shot her a look. "Chloe, go check on the soup in the kitchen."

Chloe turned and walked toward the kitchen.

Once she was out of earshot, he lowered his voice. "I just found out about the clothes. My mom did that on her own."

"Your own home, and you had no idea. Your mother bought another woman clothes and hung them in my closet, and you had no idea."

"I literally just found out!"

"And now that you know, what are you going to do?"

His mouth opened, then closed.

I waited a few seconds. Those few seconds of hesitation, just like last time, were my answer.

"Austin, you said you'd talk to your mother. What did you talk about? Your mother calls her a good girl, buys her clothes to hang in my closet, and texts me telling me to learn from Chloe. Is this the result of your talk?"

The expression on his face was a tangled mess.

"I'll handle it."

"When?"

"In the next couple of days."

"Aren't you going to Miami for the next couple of days?"

He took a sharp breath.

Chloe's voice called from the kitchen: "Austin, the soup is ready!"

He turned to acknowledge her, then looked back at me pleadingly. "Let's meet tonight and have a proper talk, okay? Please, don't leave just yet."

I slung my bag over my shoulder and walked to the front door.

"Enjoy your soup. I'm not hungry."