His Gift Was For Her, I Left

Chapter 6

When I got home, I sat down at the table and ate alone. But the more I ate, the more everything just tasted like nothing.

I put down my fork, got up, and dug out a few packs of instant noodles I'd been hiding in the back of the cabinet for ages. Dax used to say he hated the smell, so I never dared to eat them—only sneaking a bowl when he was away on long trips.

I cooked two packs, threw in extra pickles, and stared at that steaming bowl, thinking to myself, 'Dax has no taste. In anything.'

Midway through my noodles, my phone buzzed with a friend request.

It was Rachel.

I accepted, and she sent me a picture right away—her and Dax, way too close for comfort. Followed by a message.

Rachel: He didn't go on a business trip. He's been with me this whole time.

I stared at it, said nothing.

Then another message came through. A pregnancy test. Four weeks along.

Rachel: Break up with him. My baby needs a father.

I was scarily calm when I typed back.

Blair: He won't want that child.

She went quiet for a while. Then she sent another text.

Rachel: We'll see about that.

I didn't bother responding. Blocked her. Sent Dax a breakup text, blocked him everywhere too, and finished my noodles in peace.

That meal took me a long time.