Chapter 3

I didn't go buy the macarons. Instead, I went straight back to my apartment and started packing.

I threw the toothbrush, the dark grey towel, and the rinsing cup on the vanity straight into the trash can.

No matter which apartment I moved to, I always kept a double set of daily essentials.

I had always hoped he would suddenly show up in L.A. and surprise me.

So I stubbornly left half of my space empty for him.

Now he was back, but the surprise wasn't for me.

Austin didn't come home that night. Chloe posted another update on Ins.

[The best perk of being sick is having someone watch a 2 A.M. movie with you.]

The picture showed a projector screen, with the side profile of a man looking focused and gentle.

The movie was the one I had wanted to watch for a long time. I had mentioned it to Austin a thousand times, but he always dismissed it as boring.

I gave her post a "like."

Three minutes later, a message from Austin popped up.

[Get ready and come downstairs. Today is Grandma's 80th birthday gala. I'll pick you up on the way to the estate.]

According to our original plan, today was also the day we were supposed to officially announce our engagement to his family.

When I walked down, Chloe was already sitting in the passenger seat.

She was holding a steaming latte, while her other hand played with a spare key to Austin's apartment.

On the keychain was a lucky charm I had personally woven for him. It was now stained with coffee.

She turned to me with a sweet smile. "Hey El, you don't mind me hitching a ride, do you?"

Austin played a French song Chloe liked on the car stereo.

"Chloe just got over her fever, and I didn't feel safe leaving her alone. I figured taking her to the family estate would help her get some fresh air."

"Besides, she's still weak from being sick."

"You sit in the back."

Half an hour later, we arrived at the estate.

Chloe couldn't wait to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Oh my god, I can already smell the delicious food!"

She naturally walked up to Austin's side, and they walked in shoulder to shoulder.

I walked behind them like an irrelevant assistant.

In the living room, the matriarch of the family was sitting on the sofa.

"Austin, bring your girl over to let Grandma have a look."

Chloe walked up gracefully. "Happy birthday, Grandma."

The old lady smiled and patted her hand. "This must be the sweet girl Austin brought home last Christmas, right?"

"So beautiful. No wonder Austin loves you so much."

Several relatives who actually knew me looked at each other, their eyes turning toward me in unison.

I picked up my teacup and took a sip of warm water.

Last Christmas, I was alone in L.A., staring at a table of cold Christmas dinner.

Austin had told me over FaceTime that there was a massive issue with his project, and the entire team had to pull an all-nighter at the office.

It turned out his "all-nighter" was bringing Chloe back to meet his family.

The old lady slipped a stunning sapphire bracelet off her wrist and put it directly onto Chloe's.

"This is a gift from Grandma."

"Grandma... I couldn't possibly accept this. You've mistaken me for someone else," Chloe said, but her hand didn't make any move to take the bracelet off.

Austin leaned in and whispered in my ear, "Elena, let Chloe wear the bracelet for now. I'll ask her to give it back to you after the party."

"Be mature. Don't throw a fit today."

I shook my head. "No need to return it."

Austin froze, a flash of approval in his eyes.

"I'm glad you see it that way. It actually looks quite nice on Chloe. I'll buy you a new one some other day."

I put down my teacup.

The tea was Earl Grey, Chloe's favorite. Even Austin's grandmother remembered her preference.

While this was my first time entering the family estate, Chloe had already been here countless times.

"Since you've given her the bracelet, let her keep it."

I looked at him calmly. "Austin, let's break up."