Chapter 11
I returned home alone. The rain fell harder, but strangely, my heart felt
unexpectedly calm.
I had decorated most of this apartment, from matching coffee mugs to slippers and all our daily necessities. It was as if these items gave me security, reminding me that I was Dominic’s girlfriend.
I packed everything up, planning to throw it all away once the rain eased. I’d bought Dominic many gifts, but he’d never used most of them. The rest had been either taken by Faye under various pretexts or “accidentally” broken by her. I’d made a scene about one particular incident. When we were children, Dominic and I raised a dog named Lucky. He’d been with us since he was a puppy, accompanying us throughout our childhood.
True to his name, Lucky had died peacefully of old age. To commemorate him, Dominic and I had a ceramic figurine custom–made to look exactly like Lucky. I treasured that figurine. Besides Dominic and me, I never let anyone touch it.
Until Faye came along.
Dominic called her a “sweet klutz” who was always accidentally causing trouble.
But were her accidents really accidents?
When Lucky’s ceramic figurine shattered, I felt like my heart broke with it.
Faye had hidden behind Dominic, her face apologetic. “I’m so sorry, Sienna. It was an accident. I can replace it for you.”
I lost it completely, telling her to get out–telling both of them to get out. Dominic knew how much I loved Lucky. I had struggled to move past Lucky’s death
for a long time. That was one of the rare occasions when he didn’t defend Faye but
comforted me first.
But even though he later had another figurine made, in my heart, it wasn’t Lucky
anymore.
Perhaps I should have realized then that Dominic and I needed to end.
After packing up everything in the apartment, it was late at night. The rain had long since stopped.
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Dominic didn’t come home that night. I’d expected as much–how could Faye possibly let him leave?
I put away the last photo of Lucky. This home that I’d once put so much thought into suddenly felt empty.
It felt strange, but mostly liberating.
Six more days, and I’d be gone.
I crossed off today on the calendar and slept peacefully for the first time in ages. From now on, I wouldn’t have to worry about Dominic’s anger. I wouldn’t have to suffer because of him and Faye.
Dominic finally returned home the next afternoon. He froze when he entered,
staring at the empty apartment with a frown. “Where’s all our stuff?”
“Thrown away,” I answered flatly.
Dominic looked furious, his eyes boring into mine. “Are you determined to make a
scene? If you hadn’t deliberately delayed us, Faye wouldn’t have encountered
danger yesterday! Do you realize she almost got seriously hurt?!”
I laughed coldly but said nothing.
There was nothing worth arguing about.
It had always been like this. Even if Faye simply tripped at home, Dominic would
blame me.
“What the hell are you trying to do? Giving me the silent treatment for no reason, and now throwing away everything in our home? Sienna Blake, even jealousy has
its limits!”
“I’m not trying to do anything, Dominic. From now on, your business is your own, and I won’t interfere with you and Faye. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”
Wasn’t this what Dominic had wanted all along?
“I’ve already explained–Faye and I are just like brother and sister! You’re my girlfriend!” Dominic looked irritated as he stared at me, the bloodshot state of his eyes suggesting he hadn’t slept well the night before.
Brother and sister? What kind of siblings behaved that intimately?
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Perhaps my gaze was too scornful, because Dominic grew even angrier. He laughed coldly. “Fine! If this is how you want to play it, be my
