Part 3Our Six-Year Love, Her New Announcement

Ava looked down at me, not with concern, but with a disgusted frown. “What are you being so dramatic for? It’s just one day without food. Seriously?”

I was too weak to argue. I just managed to part my lips.

“Oh my, Leo, are you okay?” Cody peeked out from behind Ava, his face beaming with unconcealed glee. “It’s all my fault. I told Ava I was craving the fish from that famous seafood place, so she drove an hour just to take me there. That’s why we’re back so late.”

Ava waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t mind him. It’s not the first time he’s skipped a meal. He’ll be fine.”

Her words sent a chill through me. I’d developed stomach problems years ago while running myself ragged trying to prove her talent to my parents, often forgetting to eat. To keep her from worrying, I’d always pretended it was nothing. Back then, she’d cried and promised that when she made it big, she’d treat me to the finest food in the world.

Now, that memory had become a knife she used to stab me.

A loaf of bread was tossed onto the floor in front of me.

“Cody was kind enough to remember you probably hadn’t eaten, so he had me bring this back for you. You should be grateful.”

I didn’t have the energy to fight. I grabbed the bread and wolfed it down, choking in my haste. I scrambled to the kitchen, grabbed the nearest cup, and filled it with tap water, gulping it down until I could breathe again.

Cody burst out laughing behind me. “Leo, you looked like a starving ghost just now!”

I turned around. He stuck his tongue out playfully. “Oops, sorry. I’m just a really direct person. I say what I think. No hard feelings.”

Ava soothed him. “It’s fine, you weren’t wrong. He looked like he hadn’t eaten in a decade. How can he blame you for pointing it out?”

She glanced at me. “Full now? Good. I have something to tell you.

“Cody and I are engaged now. He’ll be living here, so it’s not convenient for you to stay. You can move out tonight.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “It’s ten-thirty at night, we’re in a suburb with no cabs, and you want me to leave now?

“And you locked me up all day, my phone is dead! Where am I supposed to go at this hour?!”

Ava ran a hand through her hair, annoyed. “But the moving company is coming tomorrow. It’ll be awkward if they see you here!

“Ugh, just figure something out. I can call a car for you. Once you’re in the city, you can charge your phone and find a motel or something for the night. Don’t worry, it’s a safe society, the ride-shares are all regulated. Nothing will happen.”

I watched her, my gaze cold, as her expression shifted from evasive to furious.

“What the hell do you want?!” she shrieked. “Stop looking at me like that!”

Cody stepped in, the picture of reason. “Ava, why don’t we let Leo stay for one more night? He can just leave early in the morning.”

Her face softened instantly for Cody. She turned back to me, her tone sharp. “Cody’s helping you out again. You’d better be more polite to him in the future. Fine. Be gone by six… no, five in the morning!

“And don’t sleep in the bedroom tonight. Just crash on the sofa. It’ll be easier for you to leave early.

“I’m being generous enough. Don’t push your luck!”

“No need,” I said, my heart a dead weight. “Just give me twenty minutes to charge my phone. I’ll call a car and be gone tonight.”

Cody put on a show of concern. “Don’t do that. It’s not really safe to get a car this late.”

Right. As if calling one at five in the morning in the dead of winter, when it’s pitch black, would be any safer.

Ava’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What are you planning now? I’m warning you, if you try to pull anything at a time like this, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”

“I promise I won’t cause any trouble,” I said coolly. “Just let me charge my phone. Please?”

Cody started to protest again, but Ava stopped him. “If he wants to leave today, let him. Ungrateful jerk.”

She pulled Cody away. “Come on, let me show you the master bedroom.”

He wrapped his arms around her, grinning. “Great. I want to see where my future wife and I will be sleeping.”

“Stop it! I haven’t said I’ll marry you yet!”

I silently plugged in my phone. The moment it turned on, a flood of messages appeared, all from my parents.

[Leo, please answer your dad. Are you angry?]

[Son, don’t be mad. I talked to your father. If you want that woman signed to Stellar, we’ll do it. The company can handle one person.]

[Son, please talk to me. Dad knows he was wrong. I’ll have her come in to sign the contract tomorrow!]

I clutched the phone, tears blurring my vision. All this time, I had poured everything I had into Ava, while completely ignoring the people who truly cared about me.

Looking at the long list of messages, I sniffled and sent them both a voice message, telling them not to worry and under no circumstances to sign Ava. I kept it brief, not wanting to worry them further, and just asked them to send a car to pick me up.

They didn’t ask any questions. As soon as I gave them the address, they said they were on their way.

Just then, Ava walked over. Seeing my red-rimmed eyes, she sneered. “Are you serious? It was just a small grievance. Once this blows over, you’ll still be my boyfriend. If you want to maintain our relationship during this time, as long as you’re careful…”

“Thirty minutes,” I cut her off.

Ava blinked. “What?”

“The car picking me up will be here in thirty minutes,” I said flatly.

For a moment, her expression was complex. “Don’t call some shady car service just to spite me. If you have to, just stay here one night. Tomorrow…”

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the sofa.

Ava’s words died in her throat. She huffed. “Fine. Sulk all you want. Don’t blame me if something happens to you.”

The car my parents sent arrived even faster than I’d expected. The moment I heard the familiar purr of the engine, my eyes snapped open. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.

From behind me, I heard Ava’s hesitant voice. “What’s the rush? That might not even be your…”

And Cody’s syrupy tone. “Let it go, Ava. Leo’s feeling awkward. Just let him leave. He’s been with you for so long, you have to protect his pride a little.”

I ignored the wretched pair, flung open the door, and walked out to the Bentley Mulsanne waiting in the driveway.