Chapter 3

Chloe POV

I couldn't remember how I got home.

As soon as I sat down on the sofa, my phone started vibrating.

It was a FaceTime call from Sophia.

I answered but didn't speak.

After a few seconds of silence, Sophia's slow, contemptuous voice came through. "Chloe, you're old enough that you wouldn't stoop to desperate clinging, right?"

I gripped my phone tighter. "What do you mean?"

"Stop playing dumb." Sophia snorted coldly. "Tristan just broke up with you. If you have any self-respect, you should pack your things and get out now. Stop lingering in Tristan's house and pestering him!"

"I'm pestering Tristan?" I laughed bitterly in my anger, though tears still fell.

"What else? Nine years and Tristan wouldn't marry you. Don't you understand yet that Tristan doesn't love you at all?"

Sophia's voice carried condescending pity.

"Wasn't today's choice obvious enough? Tristan has always loved me. If I hadn't gone to Europe back then, you wouldn't have had a chance. Nina would have been Tristan's biological daughter!"

I bit through my lip, tasting blood.

"But there are no 'what ifs' in this world! You were the one who abandoned Tristan back then! Sophia Moore, you're shameless!"

"Yes, I abandoned Tristan. So what?" Sophia's laugh was particularly grating. "The one who's favored always acts with impunity. I have the capital to be willful. Chloe, let's make a bet, shall we?"

Without waiting for my response, Sophia continued on her own.

"Leave for three months. During those three months, I'll get Tristan to propose to me. If I succeed, you disappear from Tristan's world forever. If I lose, I'll take Nina back to Europe and never bother you again. Do you dare?"

My whole body trembled, my nails digging deep into my palms.

"Don't dare?" Sophia mocked. "Nine years, and you don't even have that much confidence? Chloe, you're truly pitiful. No wonder Tristan doesn't want you."

"I've already broken up with Tristan." I closed my eyes, desperately suppressing my breakdown. "You two can do whatever you want. You disgust me!"

I hung up harshly.

Within seconds, Sophia sent a text: "I hope you keep your word."

I blocked Sophia directly.

I stood up, dragged out the suitcase from the corner, and started packing.

This apartment wasn't large, but every single item, from the succulents on the balcony to the rug in the living room, had been carefully selected by me.

Once, I thought this would be my forever home.

I thought we'd get married here in New York, have children, raise a cat.

Now looking at it all, it only felt bitterly ironic.

I didn't have many clothes-one suitcase was enough.

I left the keys on the coffee table.

Dragging my suitcase downstairs, it had started pouring rain outside at some point.

Cold wind mixed with rain hit me in the face, making me shiver.

The world was so big, yet I didn't know where to go.

I stood in the rain for a long time before finally taking out my phone and dialing a number I hadn't called in years.

"Hello?" A low, cold male voice answered.

The moment I heard that voice, all my grievances exploded, and I cried uncontrollably.

"Hunter... can you come pick me up?"