That same night while I was in the bedroom , I found a bra stuffed in a corner of our closet that was definitely not mine.

Closing the closet door , I calmly dialed a number, "I have made up my mind. I can leave the city next week and join your company."

"That's a wonderful news Ms. Wesley. We are very excited to have you here." He replied happily.

The called ended at the same time, Rafael walked in the bedroom. He used to take 10 minutes in the shower. Lately, he would take half an hour , always take phone in his hand.

"Who were you talking to ?" he asked, not even looking up from his phone.

"I was on the phone with Mr. Rony." I replied honestly.

He was barely paying attention.

And for the first time, I didn't get mad or make a fuss. I just started drafting my resignation letter on my phone.

When he reached for his water cup expecting a calming tea I used to make him for every night, he paused noticed it wasn't there.

Then only he spared me a glance finally.

"I showed your CT scan to a specialist. He said it was just a minor injury, just keep the wound dry."

"Alright" I said still typing in my phone.

This afternoon I had seven stitches in my hand from the accident, Worse still I had just found out I was pregnant and already showing signs of miscarriage.

The doctor apologized and said if I had brought to the hospital then the baby might have been saved.

Seeing the blank expression on my face, Rafael started walking over to check what I was doing.

But just then, his phone buzzed.

His lips curved into a smile and without a second thought he turned and disappeared into his study.

Once he was out of sight, I opened up my new Instagram account to scroll through his feeds and there was a new post visible to everyone but me.

It was an apology letter.

(I should not have let the cutest assignment in the whole world down. Promised her dinner after work

, but work got in the way and had to make her wait for whole 15 minutes.

Totally my fault, I will do better from now on and be a good boss 😉)

I liked the post and in the same breath, received a notification from Mr. Rony. (The contract is ready)

I clicked the link and sign the document without hesitation.

The next morning, Rafael woke up early and brought the breakfast bagels and pastries from the well known restaurant.

Just as I was about to open the bag with chocolate croissant, he slapped mt hand away.

I froze for a second before realizing the chocolate croissants weren't for me. They were for his assistant - Tiffany.

I couldn't hold back anymore "we've been together for almost eight years and you still didn't know I'm allergic to peanuts."

His expressions darkened, he stood abruptly, snapping................

See you in the next chapter 💜 💜 💜 💜

"Stop making a fuss, eat or not I don't care."

As he prepared to leave, I walked into the room and came back with a bag.

"When you see Tiffany later, do me a favor and return this to her." He frowned before taking the bag from me.

When he peeked inside and saw a lace bra, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if he was about to explain something, but when he saw my call and indifference face, he only said "I'll tell her to stop being careless."

Sensing my low mood, Rafael offered "I can give you a ride to work today."

Eight years together but not even once he gives me a ride to work before. As he always wants to keep professional and private life separate.

But Tiffany ? Guess what on her first day of work as his assistant, she was already getting a chauffeur by MY PARTNER.

As I pondered the difference between his partner and his assistant, I accidentally knocked my fork to the floor, when I bent down to pick it up.

I saw Rafael standing at the door ready to leave. Without looking back "Something urgent came up at the office. I'll give you a ride next time." he said before leaving the door hurriedly.

Half an hour later, when I arrived at my work place for some reason my colleagues were looking at me with both sympathy and concern.

Later while filling my water mug I accidentally overheard my two colleagues whispering to each other.

"So it's true that Mr. Rafael truly ditched his girlfriend for his female assistant?" one asked.

"Yup, you should have seen it this morning! Tiffany

Came in with just a stain on her dress, and Mr. Rafael picked her up in front of everyone in the meeting room." the other replied.

My hand slipped and I ended up shattered my mug silencing their gossip. I picked up the shattered pieces one by one and threw them in the trash without saying anything.

I ended up working late. When it was past 10' o clock, suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Alicia" Rafael muttered draping a coat over my shoulder "Why didn't you reply to my messages?"

I didn't tturnaround; instead, I checked my phone to see a text from him "What flavor of milkshake do you usually like?"

Three years ago, I asked him to buy me a milkshake in summer, but he had looked at me in disdain and coldly said "You are almost 30! Don't make me sick with this childish crap!"

But here behind me! There he was! Bringing me a milkshake.

I ignored him focused on my project work and ignore the sweet beverage.

I could sense his expressions shifted as he spoke again, "You used to beg me for this." sounding confused.

"It's past 10 'o clock if I drink this now I won't be able to sleep." I said dismissively.

Barely 20 minutes later, his phone lit up on my desk, I glanced to see It was a message from Tiffany.

(You silly!! Who send so many milkshakes all at once?? You are not trying to turn me into a little piggy. Are you??😲☺️☺️)

As we got home a little after 11. As soon as I stepped out of the car. I headed straight to the bedroom started packing my things. When Rafael walked in freshly showered, he noticed my vanity looking emptier then usual.

He frowned but didn't seems to mind at all. "I'm going on a business trip to Paris next month. If you need anything make a list and I'll get it for you."

See You In The Next Chapter 💜💜💜

I didn't even hesitate "Nahh!! I don't want anything, Thanks anyway."

After all I was leaving, so what's the point right??

Suddenly he threw his towel on the bed and his eyes cold as he said to me "So what? You are upset because i brought you the wrong breakfast? Is that what this is all about?

I barely opened my mouth to speak that I wasn't angry , but he let out a scoff before I could speak.

"You know, I can't stand being women dramatic. You are being out of line now." he said with a hint of disgust and dismay.

With that, he stormed in his study, slamming the door behind him.

In our eight years of relationship, he was always the one given me countless silent treatments and every single time like a FOOL. I had always humbled myself to apologise and make it up.

But this time, I just cocked and eyebrow and turned off the bedside lamp.

He stayed in the study all night. For the first time, he didn't hear a single knock on the door.

The next morning, I made breakfast for the both of us as usual. I'd just finished eating my portion and was ready to leave for work, when he came out of the study.

He was on his phone when he barked at me "Take the day off. By 6 P.M. I need you to make me an identical fondant cake.

Ever since Rafael and I started dating, I'd been making him a birthday cake every single year, always manually.

When I glanced at the screen of his phone, I knew who was it for again.

I’d seen that little cartoon avatar on his phone–it was Tiffany's profile picture.

I didn’t say a thing, making the living room feel unnervingly quiet.

But Rafael was completely unaware of how unreasonable his request had been. He looked at me, waiting for a yes.

Eventually, I just nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “Send me the picture,” I said, standing up. “I’ll head out now to buy the ingredients.”

I thought back to that dinner eight years ago. If Rafael hadn’t been there… I wouldn’t have made it out of my first job unscathed.

I glanced at him one last time, thinking, ‘Once I finish this cake, I’ll finally be done with him.‘

I headed for the door, feeling the heaviness in my steps.

Before I could reach the doorway, Rafael’s voice, surprised, cut through the silence behind me.

“Alicia…” he started, his voice unsure.

I didn’t bother turning around. “Anything else?” I asked, my tone flat.

There was a pause before he spoke again. “…I’ll Venmo you for the ingredients.”

I continued on my tracks without a word.

When I stepped into the elevator, I pulled out my phone. Opening up our chat history, I stared at the numbers.

6454–that’s how many messages I sent him.

He’d replied to only 36.

It was draining to care, so I could only smirk.

Upstairs, in the living room, Rafael’s phone would buzz with the notification of the $100 transfer being rejected. I could imagine his hand clenched around the phone as he read the alert.

See you in the next chapter 💜 💜 💜