The 21st Time He Forgot to Bring Me a Gift

Chapter 4

On the way home, I contacted the bank about a home equity loan. I wanted to get access to the money as quickly as possible to prepare for my move to the new studio.

When I got home to collect the deed, I found Elise sitting on the couch in my slippers, drinking from my cup. She was discussing revisions to the Crestmont project with Nolan.

Her suitcase was sitting in the entryway, too.

I ignored Nolan and rushed into the study.

The deed was gone from the desk drawer.

I turned to Elise.

"Where's the deed?"

Her face went white.

"I don't know..."

Then I spotted the corner of a property sale agreement sticking out from beneath the coffee table.

Buyer: Elise Dunleavy

Consideration: 1 dollar

It had been signed yesterday.

A chill swept through me.

My parents had sold their house back home to buy this place for me, so I'd always have some security of my own.

Furious, I raised my phone to call the police.

Nolan seized my wrist.

"Don't bring the police into this! Ellie only needs it temporarily. She'll give it back to us once she gets permanent resident status."

I stared at him, shaking with rage.

"This is my house. Did you get my permission?"

He swallowed.

"We're family. Why keep talking about what's yours and what's mine? If you call the police and Ellie ends up with a criminal record, it'll ruin her career and her credit. Be reasonable. I'll make it up to you."

'Nolan says he'll make it up to me, but only if I let Elise off first.'

The room fell utterly silent.

I gave a bitter laugh and stepped back. My elbow knocked a glass of water off the table.

The glass shattered on the floor. A shard cut my lower leg, and blood immediately welled from the wound.

Nolan instinctively reached for me.

"Tessa!"

But Elise immediately clutched her chest and began to slump weakly onto the couch.

"Mr. Voss, I feel so dizzy..."

His hand stopped in midair. Then he turned and caught Elise.

I reached for the agreement, accidentally smearing blood on it.

Nolan frowned, stepped forward, and snatched it from me, carefully wiping away the blood.

"Don't get blood on it. This document has to go to the title company tomorrow." He looked up at me. "Are you okay? I'll get you a bandage."

I tried to speak, but all that came out was a choked sob.

'He can see I'm bleeding. He knows I'm in pain. Yet Elise is the one he protected first.'

Supporting Elise, Nolan looked back at me.

"Clean up the glass first. I'm taking Ellie to the hospital. We'll talk about compensation when I get back."

"What if I don't accept your compensation?"

His expression turned cold.

"Tessa, do you have to make this so ugly? If you dare call the police today, don't expect me to go easy on you just because of our past."

I nodded, went to the bedroom, and took out my passport and the identity documents I'd already prepared, along with the new studio's contract and onboarding paperwork.

Nolan blocked the doorway.

"Where are you going?" I didn't look at him. His voice grew colder. "Tessa, stop threatening to leave every time we argue. I already said I'd make it up to you. What more do you want from me?"

I stopped.

"I don't want anything from you. Let's break up."

Elise coughed softly behind him.

Nolan closed his eyes. When he opened them again, there was no warmth left in his gaze.

"Tessa, if you walk out that door today, don't expect to ever come back."

I looked at him for a long moment, then turned and left.

The airport terminal was brightly lit late that night.

HR at my new company had booked me on the next available flight to headquarters.

The signing bonus my new boss had paid in advance was already in my account.

At 9 p.m., the boarding announcement came over the airport speakers.

I sent a formal complaint and my resignation letter to the company's work channel, Compliance, and Internal Audit.

Just then, a message arrived from Nolan.

Nolan: Think carefully, Tessa. When adults break up, there are no second chances. You know I never get back together with an ex.

I smiled in relief and typed my reply.

Tessa: I'm never coming back.