I shook my head, clearing my thoughts.
My phone screen glowed brightly.
A popular blogger was conducting random street interviews under a 'time capsule' theme.
By sheer coincidence, they had stopped Sebastian and Chloe.
Sebastian wore his typical detached expression.
He looked completely bored.
But Chloe was practically vibrating with excitement.
She beamed up at him.
Sebastian indulged her, playing the perfect, attentive boyfriend.
The blogger read their random question from a card.
"If you could go back five years, what would you do?"
Chloe made a show of thinking hard.
Sebastian pulled her tighter against his side.
His voice was dangerously soft, but his words cut deep.
"I would have eliminated anyone who approached me with hidden agendas... and ensured I found Chloe much earlier."
The gentle tone was for her.
Chloe melted into his embrace, radiating pure joy.
The venom was for me.
My fingers clenched around the phone.
My heart felt heavy.
He still despised me to this extent.
But it didn't matter to me anymore.
I printed a photo of Chloe.
I slid it into the album of his mistresses.
I wrote on the back: 100. Farewell.
I locked it away in the study drawer.
The signed divorce papers were already inside.
A final gift for Sebastian.
He would appreciate it.
After that, I began packing my belongings quietly.
Sebastian and Chloe returned just as I was tossing a knitted blanket into the trash.
"What are you doing?" Sebastian's voice was sharp.
I flinched slightly. "Putting things where they belong. In the garbage," I stated flatly.
He strode over and looked into the bin.
It was filled with handmade items I'd crafted for him.
Several expensive dresses he'd bought me were piled on top.
"You never even wore these. How can they be trash?" He frowned, confused.
I continued packing, my movements steady. "Some things are never meant to fit. Why force it?"
Like people.
After five years, my vision was finally clear.
Sebastian seemed to catch the double meaning in my words.
His frown deepened.
Before he could speak, Chloe clung to his arm.
She pouted dramatically. "Sebastian, I'm exhausted. Can I sleep in that room tonight?" She pointed directly at the master bedroom.
Sebastian's lips pressed into a thin line. "Chloe just had skin graft surgery. She's uncomfortable at night. It will be easier for me to care for her if she's in the master bedroom."
I lifted my gaze and met Chloe's deliberately挑衅 stare.
She was testing me.
After all, the master bedroom was my final territory.
In the past, I would have screamed and fought him over it.
But now... I felt nothing.
I simply nodded. "Fine. I'll go pack my things."
The master bedroom was saturated with memories I had cherished.
It took me the entire afternoon to empty it.
When Sebastian saw the barren room, his expression turned odd.
"Chloe is only staying temporarily. Once she's healed, she'll leave. Why remove everything so completely?"
"I prefer to replace things when necessary, rather than cling to the past," I answered smoothly.
Sebastian stared at me, suspicion in his eyes. "Alayna, you're acting strange. What are you planning?"
I remained silent.
Just then, Chloe let out a small, excited gasp. "Oh! This bracelet is stunning!"
My head snapped up.
She was holding a pale pink agate bracelet from my vanity.
My chest constricted tightly.
I quickly crossed the room. "Give that back."