Start Over Without You

Margaret's mother was in critical condition, and the doctors had said a kidney transplant needed to happen as soon as possible.

The news Gavin brought her was still bad. "I've checked with several major hospitals, but no luck."

He pressed his fingers to his forehead, a deep frown marking his face. "Let's wait a little longer, see if things change."

Margaret lifted her gaze, meeting Gavin's eyes—and in that moment, without thinking, she asked, "Did you really try looking?"

Gavin froze, his pupils darkening in an instant. Then he gave a dry laugh. "What, you think I haven't tried? Why else do you think I was out of the country for over a month?"

He looked so calm, as if everything were just fine.

But Margaret knew better.

She knew the real reason he had gone overseas. It wasn't for her mother. It was because a genius psychiatrist had recently emerged in Chesterio, and the internet had been buzzing about him. Gavin, who had never given up on Marjorie, had taken her there as soon as possible.

Margaret's heart grew cold. She couldn't stop herself from thinking back on all the times Gavin had used the same excuses to deceive her.

A sharp pain twisted in her stomach, and her face grew pale as she leaned back, forcing a half-smile. "You were gone for over a month. Didn't you think to bring me a gift, or something?"

If he wanted to play pretend, she'd play along. After all, it was only a matter of days now.

Gavin paused, then gently took her hand. "It's in the car."

His brow furrowed slightly when he noticed how pale her face had become, and for a moment, there was a flash of genuine concern in his eyes. "You haven't eaten today?"

"Nope." Margaret lowered her eyes. "I've been running tests with my mom since early this morning. I didn't have time."

Before she could say anything more, Gavin's phone suddenly rang, its ringtone sharp and urgent.

Margaret quickly glanced at the screen.

The image that flashed by was a pearl emoji.

Margaret had never been the type to snoop through someone's phone, but now, she felt a twinge of foolishness for only noticing the contact name at that moment.

Gavin quickly turned away and walked toward the balcony. He answered the phone with a few quick words, then, in a hurry, left the room.

"I'll go grab some chicken soup and bring the gift up," he said, his voice casual.

Margaret leaned back in the cold chair, counting down in her mind.

Ten minutes? Twenty minutes? How long would it take him to return?

The pain in her stomach worsened, and sweat broke out across her forehead. Still, she couldn't stop herself from leaning toward the window, peering down below.

She waited for what felt like an eternity.

But no matter how long she waited, Gavin never came back.

He hadn't planned on returning at all.

A knock on the door startled her. A moment later, the assistant walked in, holding a bowl of chicken soup in one hand and a bottle of Burberry perfume in the other.

"Ms. Chapman," the assistant said softly, "Mr. Hartley had to attend an urgent meeting and couldn't make it up."

He handed her the perfume. "This is the gift he got for you."

Margaret stared blankly at the bottle, a soft "Thanks" slipping from her lips as she took it from him.

Suddenly, she stood up, pushing past the assistant and rushing toward the stairs.