Chapter 3 Farewell
I looked down at the phone and saw Kennedy’s name on the screen. I took a deep breath before picking up. “Yes, Mr. Adams?”
He didn’t waste a second. “We’ve got a problem, Julian. A fire broke out in the hills on the west side last night. Three squads couldn’t hold it back. The situation is still out of control. We’re
next.”
My nerves instantly snapped to attention, and I replied, “Got it. I’m ready any time.” I didn’t have time to feel heartache–I was already calling a cab to get back to the station.
I knew just how terrifying wildfires could be when they spiraled out of control. Once it spread, who knew how many innocent. families would get caught in the devastation? Compared to that, whatever was going on between me and Elizabeth felt meaningless.
Yet, Kennedy said, “You don’t need to rush back just yet. Given the situation… I think you understand. I’m giving you one day to say goodbye to your family, especially your wife. You’re married, right?”
That stopped me dead in my tracks, and a flood of emotions immediately hit me all at once.
Everyone at the station knew I was married, but since Elizabeth
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as an excuse to
had never once visited, and always used work dodge the team’s family gatherings, they’d all basically forgotten she existed.
“Got it, Mr. Adams,” I said before hanging up and letting out a heavy sigh.
After five years of marriage, I knew Elizabeth’s temperament all too well. She was always the devout one, claiming she was too devoted to her faith to care about worldly things, including me. Every time I had to leave for a mission, even if she knew about. it, she’d offer a few token words of concern, nothing more.
Over the years, I’d grown used to how distant she was. Eventually, I stopped bothering her altogether. But this time was different. So even if it meant facing her cold expression again, I turned around and went home.
It only took five minutes to get there, and when I saw Elizabeth again, it wasn’t the cold indifference I’d imagined. She was about to head out, dressed to the nines, radiating elegance. She looked absolutely stunning–I’d never seen her so dressed up before.
“I need to talk to you,” I said.
I walked up to Elizabeth’s car, but she didn’t even glance at me. Her tone was flat as she said, “We’ll talk later. I’ve got something
urgent.”
“Where are you going?” I frowned slightly, refusing to step aside. I had to tell her–wildfires were no joke, and I had no idea if I’d even make it back this time.
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When Elizabeth had something “urgent,” it was usually either
21
a corporate matter or a trip to the temple. What I didn’t expect was to see Callum sitting in the passenger seat.
She didn’t respond, but Callum chimed in to explain, “Sorry,
Mr. Thornton. My company has a lunch event today. Elizabeth offered to come with me.”
Then, he turned to Elizabeth and asked, “Maybe I should just go by myself, Elizabeth?”
She replied without hesitation, “No need. He’s not here for anything important anyway. Your thing matters more.” And just like that, she started the car and drove off, not sparing me at second glance.
I couldn’t move. It took me a long moment to register what was happening. My throat clenched like I was trying to swallow a brick, and my heart felt like it had been ripped wide open.
more
In five years together, Elizabeth had turned down my invitations
times than I could count. But for Callum’s company gathering? She didn’t even blink–just dressed up and left with him.
It’s barely noon and you are already on your way out, huh, Elizabeth? You say those who practice Buddhism don’t lie and that you’ve been faithful. But when I look at you and Callum, he seems more like your husband than I ever was. Don’t tell me you went to that gathering for his kid too.
Chapter 3 Farewell
It was laughable. I felt like I’d just stepped into an ice bath- numb and shivering to the bone.
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After Elizabeth left, there was no reason for me to stay. The house that had once been filled with warmth and hope now felt like something I couldn’t stand to be in.
With every step I took, it felt like I was walking through soap bubbles made of our best moments–each one bursting as soon as I touched it. Beautiful, but gone in an instant.
That night, I got a message from Elizabeth. It reads: [You said you had something to tell me, right? Let’s have dinner. I happened to be free tonight.]
Her casual invite felt more like a handout to someone she pitied.
After some hesitation, I still decided to go. It was because I wanted to talk to Elizabeth properly about the divorce.
I figured that if I really didn’t make it back this time, I wanted to go without any ties left behind. I didn’t want to be tangled up with her anymore.
So, I booked the restaurant where we had our first date and asked Elizabeth to come alone. I figured it was only right that things end where they once began.
The table looked exactly the same, and even the wind chime by the window still hung in its place. Everything around us
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remained untouched–but we weren’t the same people anymore.
But Elizabeth never got back to me. I waited until past nine, long after the dinner rush had ended. The restaurant was about to close, and she still hadn’t shown up.
Figures. She has always been all discipline and no feeling anyway. But that’s nothing new. I stopped expecting anything from her a long time ago.
But just as I was about to leave, Elizabeth finally walked in. But she wasn’t alone. She came with Callum and Gideon.
“Why are they here?” I frowned. This was supposed to be a final goodbye–life and death kind of serious. I didn’t want any outsiders around.
Elizabeth didn’t seem to care. “I was working late. Callum and Gideon hadn’t eaten either, so what’s wrong with them tagging along?” she asked, and as she spoke, Callum and Gideon had already taken seats across from me.
There was still a spot open beside me, but she barely glanced at it before sitting down next to them instead. “Callum offered to pay as an apology,” she said lightly. “You could learn a thing or two, Julian. Don’t be so stingy.”
Elizabeth’s casual tone tore into me again–deep, brutal, unbearable..
I didn’t want our last dinner to end in an argument. I had come ready to say goodbye the right way. But with Callum and Gideon
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there, all the words I’d practiced wouldn’t come out. They just sat there, choking me.
Elizabeth, if you knew I asked you here tonight to say goodbye
for good… would you still have brought them? But it doesn’t matter anymore. Not like I’ll get another chance. Your heart is too cold. I’m done trying to reach it.
As I was lost in thought, Callum suddenly spoke up, “Mr. Thornton, this one’s on me, okay? Just order whatever you want. Elizabeth is a kind soul, and I’m really grateful you accepted Gideon. I mean it.”
Then, he raised his glass to me, trying to show his gratitude. But I didn’t move an inch. The moment hung there, awkward and cold, with him stuck mid–motion.
Elizabeth frowned, “Just ignore him. Let’s enjoy the drink. He’s never been the type to take things gracefully. Honestly, you’re too kind for someone like him.”
With that, she clinked glasses with Callùm, brushing off my silence while comforting him and belittling me all at once. Her voice was warm and gentle, and she even turned to include Gideon.
“Cheers!” The three of them raised their glasses, smiling, laughing and talking about home decor and Gideon’s favorite things. And just like that, I, sitting right across from them, felt like some stranger who’d been awkwardly seated at the wrong table.
Chapter 3 Farewell
It dawned on me all at once, and I asked outright, “Elizabeth, was it you who wanted to meet me tonight, or was it him?”
“Of course it was Callum. He wanted to apologize to you. You think I have time for this?” Elizabeth replied with a frown, and just like that, whatever shred of hope I had left shattered completely.
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What a joke. Our final meeting… had been arranged by Callum.
The pain was so sharp I couldn’t even describe it, but at that moment, I finally found the courage to let go. “The station called today. They want me to help with the wildfire at the mountain. It’s bad, so I might not make it back. I just wanted to finalize the divorce and give you both what you want.”
I said it, and for a second, I felt relieved. But I hadn’t expected what came next–not a single one of them reacted. Their laughter didn’t stop, and they didn’t even glance my way.
Right then, I felt like the punchline of some cruel joke. That fleeting sense of relief turned into a searing ache.
I forced myself to hold it all back and asked, “Elizabeth… did you even hear what I said?”
Elizabeth was too busy putting food on Gideon’s plate. Without even looking at me, she muttered, “Yeah, got it. Stay safe.”
I let out a bitter laugh at myself.
How did I even last five years in a marriage like this? If she
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doesn’t care enough to listen, then that’s that.
I stood up, ready to leave–only for the chandelier above me to suddenly come loose and crash down straight onto my head.
There was a loud crash as the glass chandelier came down. It shattered above me, and in an instant, blood was streaming down my face. I hit the floor, dazed and stumbling.
All eyes in the restaurant snapped toward me, and Elizabeth was no exception. Her expression twisted in panic as she sprinted to my side, shouting, “Julian!”
