Chapter 6
The instant I opened Instagram, Mara’s latest update appeared, posted just two minutes earlier.
She had shared two images. The first depicted a bridal suite festooned with red decorations; the second, a screenshot of her contact list, showing Beckett’s name changed to “Baby’s Dad.”
Her caption read: “Too bad our little one didn’t arrive in time to celebrate the happiest day of Mommy and Daddy’s lives. Nonetheless, we’ll be joyful together from now on. Please take care of us, Baby’s Dad!”
My fingers halted in place as I absorbed the post, and a cloud of gloom settled over me. Just as I was about to close the app,
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Beckett’s comment caught my eye. He simply wrote, “hmm.”
Even without elaboration, it was a silent acknowledgment of his new role as the child’s father.
Seeing his name made everything seem even more surreal.
In that moment, a dark thought overtook me: What would Beckett do if he discovered we had once shared a child? What expression would cross his face then?
I lingered over his profile picture, contemplating whether to lift his block. But after a pause, I closed the app, deciding, No, if I was going to move on, it had to be total.
I spent the next week leisurely exploring Brayford State before unhurriedly purchasing
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a reteroniticket.
Oncederereturned home and approachedlach yny door,drunexexpectedly ran into my neighbor a she was stepepping out.
She looked susurprised and smiled warmly.ly. “Oh, you’re backckbYour boyfriend’s beenen around every dayay dooking for you. The poor cguy looked soswovdeded he seemed ready to
lose his mind. He teavas just here–you might cxcatch him if you hungry!”
I sI shook my head slightlyly, sesponding, “A“Actually, I don’t haveva ladyoyfriend anymore. If If you see him again,icoutdicbyour call security T Thanks a lot!”
AfAfter exchanging pleasantrieses st stepped in inside my apartmentnt.
BBefore leaving for Brayford State,tehlalalad
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changed the locks, the reason Beckett couldn’t enter.
I brushed off my neighbor’s words. After unpacking, I took a shower and settled into a restful night’s sleep, as was my usual routine.
The next morning, I arrived at the office, refreshed and ready to tackle work.
Barely through the door, a close colleague hurried over.
She checked to ensure no one else was listening, then whispered, “Hey, didn’t you take time off for your wedding? Why is your husband showing up here asking about you? He even asked me to let him know if I saw you. Did something happen between you two?”
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It seemed that during my absence, Beckett had been frequenting both the office and my apartment.
Her questions didn’t unsettle me–I replied in an even tone, “It wasn’t for a wedding, just my annual leave. I’m single; we’ve broken up. He has nothing to do with me anymore.”
“What?” she exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief. “You two were always together, so affectionate. How did this even happen?”
I owed her no personal explanations, so I simply said, “Sometimes, people just aren’t right for each other.”
Recognizing my reluctance to divulge more, she wisely let the topic drop.
After work, I gathered my things and headed out. As I exited the building, I immediately
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spotteted Beckett’s car parked by thehe curb.
Withoudut a second thought, I turned anahd walkedin ith the opposite direction. n.
But his faraithiliar voice stopped me in myny tracks, “Clatara!”
Beckett calledled outrurgently, opening the cara door and rushining after me.
Relief and joy lit uppisis face as if he’d d rediscovered sometething precious.
“Clara, you’re back!kmisissed you so much!” he exclaimed, his eyesesesearching mine.
I didn’t look at him. Insteach dh my gaze drifted to his car, where Mara satan iththe passenger seat, her smile aimed at mene.
Wet, upon closer inspection, it wasmsnát a
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genuine smile–it carried a hint of mockery.
So this is who he truly is now? I thought ruefully. Now that their marriage is public knowledge, they needn’t hide it anymore.
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