Chapter 5: One Last Take, One Final Goodbye

He leaned in close to me, his breath warm.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“I want to get back together, babe.”

That night, after finishing work and returning to the hotel, Evan pulled me into the room again and pinned me against the door.

He reeked of smoke, the scent almost overpowering the mint from his shower.

This morning, because I rejected his attempt at reconciliation, he’d hidden in the hallway alone and smoked an entire pack.

I frowned, pushing him away in disgust, my patience gone.

“You stink. Stay away from me.”

Evan’s face darkened, but he didn’t say a word. He just sniffed himself and walked into the bathroom.

I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, my mind racing, and sent a text to Savannah.

She was furious, calling me every insult in the book: “bitch,” “slut,” “homewrecker.”

But all I wanted was for her to come pick up Evan.

The water in the bathroom stopped.

A pair of hands wrapped around my waist. The steamy moisture clung to my thin shirt, sending a chill down my spine.

Evan’s chin rested on my shoulder, his hot breath tickling my skin.

I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened.

“I’m not doing anything, just want to hold you.”

“Let go.”

He looked hurt. Slowly, he let go, and then hoarsely asked:

“Babe, was I really that awful before? Is that why you hate me so much?”

I don’t lie, so I nodded.

His expression went blank for a moment, like something inside him just broke apart.

I knew that feeling. I’d felt it too, the night Savannah returned.

I’d had a high fever, was groggy, and fell in the bathtub. Evan heard the noise and opened the door. He just glanced at me, indifferent, then turned to leave.

I weakly called out, asking if he could take me to the hospital.

He tossed the medicine box at me, his voice cool and impatient:

“I’m going to be with Savannah. You just have a fever. Take your meds and stop being dramatic.”

Then came the slam of the door.

I almost burned up with fever.

Luckily, my best friend came to deliver a script, scooped me up, and took me to the hospital.

After that, I told myself: Emily, stop loving Evan. It just hurts too much.

Now, the tables have turned.

The one getting stabbed in the heart is Evan.

“Do you want to stay tonight?”

I smiled and asked him, my voice light.

He froze for a few seconds. Then, realizing what I meant, he grabbed my chin and tried to kiss me.

I turned my head and flipped on the light. All the romance vanished in an instant.

Under his stunned gaze, I opened the door.

“Sorry, even if you want to, it’s useless.”

“Because the person you’ve been waiting for is here to pick you up.”

Savannah at the door bounced into Evan’s arms like a spring, whining softly:

“Evan, I’m back. Let’s go home. Stop chasing after this fake, okay?”

Fake?

If I could, I’d want to be unique too. Unfortunately, Evan never gave me that chance.

“How dare you touch me in front of my wife? Show some respect.”

Evan pushed Savannah away.

She went pale, staring at him in disbelief.

She’d always been Evan’s precious one. When had she ever been treated like this?

But she didn’t dare scold Evan, so she turned her anger on me.

“Emily Reese, what kind of witchcraft did you use on Evan? He’s already divorced you, and you still cling to him. Have some shame!”