“Ste, tonight’s thest fireworks show of the year in the city. What do you think about me confessing to Gabriel there? You’ll give us your blessing, right?”


    She opened her eyes to see Lily smugly waving her phone in the rearview mirror.


    “Who’s texting you?”


    Gabriel was staring at Ste’s profile.


    “Just the ss group chat.”


    She ignored them, but her nails dug into her palms involuntarily.


    “Ste, wait for me tonight. I need to talk to you.”


    As they got out, Gabriel grabbed her wrist.


    Sometimes she found Gabriel almostughable-he didn’t love her, yet he always put on this devoted act whenever she started pulling away.


    But she wouldn’t fall for it this time.


    “Gabriel, hurry up! The event’s starting!”


    “Wait for me.”


    Ste said nothing. Gabriel eventually drove away.


    Sheughed bitterly. It was always like this-once Lily appeared, Ste became his second choice.


    The apartment looked exactly as she’d left it. Gabriel hadn’t even noticed all her things were gone.


    she cleaned the ce thoroughly, spraying air freshener until even the air didn’t smell like her anymore. <fnc511> Th?s chapter is updated by Find1Novel</fnc511>


    ‘Ste, pack up. Car’sing in the morning.”


    Emily’s message brought a wave of relief.


    She was really leaving. Surprisingly, she felt no sadness-just a strange lightness.


    Okay.” She closed her eyes.


    This ce she’d called home for five years-she was really saying goodbye.


    Her phone kept buzzing with notifications.


    Gabriel’s text at the top: “Ste, is your train tomorrow? Wait for me, I’ll see you off.”


    Below that, a flood of messages from Lily.


    ‘hoto after photo of the fireworks show-Gabriel looking down at Lily with tender eyes, shot from multiple angles. In every single one,


    with warmth.


    his gaze


    overflowed


    Her heart clenched despite everything. Ste bit her lip hard, fighting back the sob threatening to escape as her eyes reddened.


    Ste Rivers, you’re pathetic,” she whispered, taking a deep breath to hold back the tears.


    Thanks, but I already arranged a ride. I can manage on my own.”


    No response came after that.


    Ste shouldered her small bag, remembering the day she’d arrived. She’d rushed straight from set without even changing costumes, and Gabriel had pulled her into this apartment with the biggest smile.


    “Ste, I told you I’d give you the good life!”


    Chapter ?


    Gabriel, did you rob a bank?”


    “Silly, I earned this! We’re gonna have everything from now on!”


    She’d thought they’d finally made it through the struggle. But like fireworks, all the beauty had vanished before she could even grasp it.


    “Gabriel, I wish you happiness.”


    On the entryway table, she left the in white ring-his promise to her.


    Gabriel. I’m leaving.


    Don’t look for me, and don’t feel guilty. Nobody owes anyone a lifetime of love, especially when you were only with me out of gratitude. Honesty, I came out ahead these past years. I never could have afforded a ce like this on my own. I was happy with you.


    I hope you and Lily get your happily ever after. Even though we’ve been over in everything but name, I want to give this rtionship proper closure.


    Let’s break up.


    Be happy.”


    The sticky note fluttered against the wall as the door closed behind her.


    Dawn was breaking. Through the car window, scenery rushed backward in a blur. Years of devotion, years of love-and now she felt nothing at all.


    Ste’s final Instagram post read: “Grateful we met. Goodbye.”


    The end of her ridiculous first act.