Ditching Her When the Storm Comes In

I heard the living room door open, so I guessed Joyce had left.

In the past, if she'd gone out in the middle of the night, I would've chased after her immediately. But this time, I turned off the lights and went back to sleep.

I didn't know where Joyce went, but I knew she would be fine.

When I woke up the next morning, she still hadn't returned.

My flight home was tomorrow. I'd just finished packing when my friend called to set up a farewell dinner for me.

When I was dating Joyce, she wouldn't let me go out drinking and even restricted me from hanging out with my friends. Over the past year, my friends and I barely got together.

Now that I was leaving, I wanted to have a proper night out drinking with my friends.

I checked into a hotel and headed straight to the private room downstairs.

Everyone at the table was an old friend I'd known for years—except for one unfamiliar face, a young woman in her early 20s.

My friend, Kelvin Walker, smiled as he introduced her to me.

"This is Bianca Cooper, my junior at work. She's also heading back to Jeston soon. You're both from the same hometown, so I thought you two should meet."

Everyone egged me on to get her contact information. I smiled and took the initiative, asking for her number.

Right after I did that, Joyce's furious voice rang out behind me. "Harry!"

I turned, stunned.

Joyce entered the room with Finley in tow. She marched straight over to me, glaring fiercely, then spun toward Bianca as if to stake her claim. "Sorry, but Harry is my boyfriend. I don't let him exchange contact info with other women."

Bianca shot me a surprised look, remaining silent.

I saved Bianca's number anyway, and as the screen disappeared, Joyce's face darkened with rage.

She didn't yell, but the look she gave me could've killed.

The atmosphere in the room turned awkward.

Finley stepped forward to smooth things over. "Harry, I spent the whole night calming Joyce down. Don't make her angry again. We were out grabbing dinner and happened to see you. Joyce came over right away.

"She really does care about you, so how could you exchange contact information with another woman? That's basically two-timing."

Joyce fixed me with a deathly glare, her anger mounting.

Finley continued, sounding considerate, "Harry, if my being here bothers you, I can leave right now. Don't let me come between you and Joyce."

Finley had always been good at playing the innocent card while quietly stirring things up. I used to get so angry that I'd argue with him, and Joyce would always defend him.

Now, he was pulling the same stunt again—but instead of getting mad, I just watched him like he was a clown onstage.

"Why would I be bothered? Since you're here, sit down," I said casually, inviting others to take their seats. I took the spot next to Bianca.

Only two seats remained. Joyce's face darkened as she fixed me with a hard stare, her intent unmistakable—she wanted me to sit next to her.

I pretended not to notice, pouring drinks for everyone.

After I had filled up everyone's glass, Joyce couldn't hold back anymore. She said, "Harry, come outside. I need to talk to you."

I knew she didn't want to argue in front of everyone—it would be embarrassing. But I wasn't in the mood to play along.

"Whatever you want to say, say it here," I replied flatly.

Joyce's face darkened further, her nails digging into her palms.

She strode over in her heels, ready to grab me, but Kelvin quickly stood in her way and urged, "Joy, enough. You and Harry have been through so much together. We've all seen it.

"Harry even stayed here for you, going against his family. We thought you two would make it. We never expected you'd break up."

With that, Kelvin raised his glass, sighing. "It doesn't matter why things ended between you two, but Harry's leaving the city tomorrow. I hope you can part on good terms. Since you and your current boyfriend are also here today, let's all have a drink together to send Harry off."

Everyone raised their glasses and offered farewell wishes.

I smiled, downed my drink, and was about to speak when Joyce suddenly knocked over her glass, her eyes wide with tears, staring at me as if she couldn't believe what she'd just heard.