Zero didn’t waste time and left once we were done with brunch. I thought he would just leave the painting behind after what happened, but he still took it with him without saying a word.
I watched him walk out of the apartment with my fist tightly clenched and gritting my teeth hard. I had to exert so much effort not to ask him to stay. Luckily, he didn’t turn his back and didn’t say goodbye. He made it easier for me to watch him go.
“Happy birthday…” I whispered, my lips quivering, once the door was closed.
I released the pent-up breath that I had been holding back. I flopped down on the sofa as my knees completely gave up and turned to jelly.
Once Zero was out of sight, the gravity of the situation sank deeper. I felt like I was put inside the furnace. Guilt was slowly burning my sou
