Chapter 3

After the dinner, back at our shared apartment.

Chloe immediately dropped her facade.

She closed the door, then turned around and questioned me, "Cassie, what did you say to Ryan? He was looking at me weirdly today."

I feigned a troubled expression and pulled out my pre-prepared explanation. "I didn't say anything… just chatted about how you two have been lately."

"He said he felt you hadn't been very happy recently and asked me if you had something on your mind."

I deliberately showed a confused expression. "Speaking of which, Ryan is quite considerate towards you, sending flowers and preparing a cake. How come you don't seem very happy? Did you misunderstand something?"

Chloe's face instantly became unnatural, her eyes darting away.

She probably hadn't expected me to not only fail to sow discord as she'd planned but also to mention her "having something on her mind" to Ryan.

This uncertainty made her a bit flustered.

"No… nothing,"

She forced a smile, her tone a little stiff. "Maybe I was overthinking it… Anyway, it's getting late. I'm going back to my room."

Watching her flee, I knew she wouldn't dare make any rash moves for now.

In the following days, Chloe's attitude towards me became noticeably colder.

She no longer clung to me like before, but her eyes held a new wariness and scrutiny.

I enjoyed the peace and quiet, dealing with her while speeding up my apartment search.

Soon, I found a satisfactory apartment from the listings my realtor sent me.

While Chloe was at work, I arranged for a moving company, ready to pack up and leave.

Just as I was directing the movers to secure the boxes, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Chloe stepped out of the elevator and froze instantly at the sight of my packed luggage at the door.

"Cassie? What are you doing?"

She rushed over and grabbed my arm, her panic barely concealed. "Why are you suddenly moving? Did I do something to upset you?"

I gently pulled my arm free and took a step back. "You're overthinking it. It's just that this place is too far from my office, and the commute isn't convenient."

I frowned. "By the way, why are you back? Isn't it your work hours?"

"I left some files at home, so I came back for them." As she spoke, she tried to get closer to me again.

"Are you still mad at me? Just because I asked you to help me test Ryan?"

"My tone was bad last time, I apologize. Please don't be like this."

Her fake concern, in my past life, would have gone unnoticed.

I might even have softened. But now, I just felt disgusted.

I ignored her, stepped aside for the movers, and followed them out.

At my new place, I pulled out my phone and opened the live feed from the camera app.

Sure enough, a leopard can't change its spots.

Just like in my past life, Chloe was on the phone with Ryan, feigning tears.