You Lost Me First

Just as I was about to call Nigel, I suddenly remembered the birthday listed on Olivia's resume.

A ridiculous thought crossed my mind.

I entered that date into the keypad.

The door unlocked with a click.

I stepped inside and froze.

Nigel and Olivia sat together in the living room, a candlelit dinner spread between them.

Champagne glasses caught the soft light. Steak dinners sat half-finished on the table. Rose petals covered the floor, trailing all the way toward the bedroom like something out of a romance movie.

They both stared at me, stunned.

Then Olivia's lips curled into a faint, provocative smile, as if I were the one intruding.

Nigel stood up quickly, trying to look composed, though panic flashed in his eyes. "H-how did you get in?"

I smiled lightly. "I tried a stranger's birthday. The door opened."

My gaze shifted to Olivia. I looked at her coldly.

Her smile faltered. "I changed the passcode while I was bored. Don't take it personally."

She shot Nigel a quick glance. I pretended not to notice.

"And my fingerprint?" I asked. "You deleted that, too?"

Hearing that, Nigel exploded. "Melissa!"

His voice thundered through the room. Whether he was protecting Olivia or just embarrassed, I couldn't tell. "Do you have to push things this far?"

I looked at him, his face twisted from anger, and suddenly, everything felt pointless.

I turned to Olivia. "Get up from that chair."

She blinked, but didn't move.

I repeated myself.

Nigel immediately stepped in front of her. "This is my house. You're not doing anything here."

"I'm just taking my chair," I said evenly. "That's all."

He paused, surprise flickering across his face, followed by something like disappointment.

Olivia's smile tightened. "I really like this chair. Could you give it to me?"

I let out a quiet laugh. "My mom made that for me. I'm not giving it to anyone."

She clearly wasn't ready to drop it. "Then I'll buy it. Name your price."

I actually laughed this time, anger sharp in my chest. "No. It's mine. Are you trying to take it?"

Her expression darkened. Without warning, she kicked the rocking chair.

The chair tipped over and hit the floor.

"No!" I shouted, tears rushing up before I could stop them.

I stepped forward instinctively, reaching toward the chair.

Suddenly, Olivia collapsed onto the floor, crying loudly. "How could you be so cruel? I was just venting, and you shoved me!"

Before I could react, a sharp slap struck my face.

I froze, stunned, and tears streamed down my cheeks.

It was the first time Nigel had ever hit me.

"Get out," he snapped. "Right now."

He grabbed my arm, shoved me outside, and slammed the door shut behind me.

The sound echoed down the hallway.

I walked down the street unsteadily, barely feeling my feet touch the ground. My phone buzzed.

It was a message from Nigel.

[I lost my temper earlier. Just come back and apologize to Olivia. We can pretend none of this happened.]

I stared at the screen and started laughing through my tears.

Then I blocked his number and every other way he could reach me.

It was the first time I had ever done that.

No matter how bad our fights used to get, I had never completely cut him off.

This time, I did.

I wiped my face, pulled my suitcase behind me, and headed toward the airport.

Goodbye, Nigel.