Chapter 3The Day Before He Vanished

When I woke up the next morning, Harrison was sitting with his back to me, knitting.

Since last month, he’d been obsessed with yarn textures and YouTube tutorials. Whenever he had free time, he was knitting.

I thought he was making a scarf for me. I even posted a sweet photo of his back on Instagram.

He made me delete it immediately.

His face had turned stormy. "I'm just killing time and practicing. If you want a scarf, I'll buy you cashmere from Burberry."

That was when I realized he was using bright pink yarn. Lily’s favorite color.

Hearing me stir, Harrison turned around. A flicker of apology crossed his face.

"Babe, I got home late last night and you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you. I went to see the fireworks for you. Here’s a video."

I’m a light sleeper. I knew he never came into the bedroom last night.

But I didn't want to fight. I just glanced at his phone screen.

The fireworks were beautiful. The background was filled with embracing couples.

Through the noise of the explosions, a familiar, flirtatious voice was captured on the recording:

"Boss, will we always be this happy?"

"Of course."

Harrison realized his mistake. He panicked, locked the phone, and tossed it onto the table.

"Just random people standing nearby," he explained nervously. "Don't misunderstand."

"Okay."

Seeing my lack of reaction, he leaned in to kiss me.

Before I could even close my eyes, he pulled a surgical mask out of his pocket and put it on.

He pressed a masked kiss to my forehead and pulled away instantly.

He laughed awkwardly. "I think I'm coming down with something. Don't want to get you sick."

I swallowed the sharp pain in my throat and smiled indifferently.

"It's fine."

When we first started dating, he couldn't keep his hands off me. He used to say, "I could kiss you for a lifetime and it wouldn't be enough."

"What about when I'm old and have dentures?" I’d ask.

"Especially then."

I guess I’ll never see that day.

The house felt emptier. The suitcase he’d hidden was moved to the trunk of his car. Even his toiletries were gone from the bathroom.

Seeing me staring at the empty vanity, Harrison looked guilty.

"Chloe, don't overthink it. I just took some stuff to the office since I'm pulling so many all-nighters."

"Please don't be suspicious."

In the past, he would never explain himself over something so small. His panic was a dead giveaway.

But I didn't scream. I didn't ask him why he was running away with Lily. I didn't beg him not to abandon me.

I just looked him in the eye and whispered:

"You work too hard. It must be exhausting."

Harrison bit his lip, his eyes darting away.

"It's not hard. I'm building a better life for us."

He moved to hug me, but the doorbell rang.

It was Lily. She was wearing a cute, short dress and holding an English dictionary.

She looked past me, staring straight at Harrison.

"Boss, I'm stuck on some vocabulary, and I forgot the phrases you taught me."

"Can you tutor me right now? Chloe won't mind, right?"

Her eyes danced with the arrogance of a winner.

I quietly pulled my hand out of Harrison's grip.

"Make yourself at home."

Harrison looked at my profile. I was too calm. A strange uneasiness flashed in his eyes. He stared at me, looking for a crack.

I glanced at him, emotionless, and smiled.

"You guys study. I have things to do."

He reached for my arm, but Lily grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the study.

She locked the door audibly.

I was the only extraneous person in my own home.

I went back to packing. I picked up a pair of porcelain dolls from the shelf. He gave them to me on our first anniversary.

"Chloe, we're going to be happy forever."

From the study, I heard Harrison calling my name.

I dropped the dolls into the trash can.

Listening to the porcelain shatter, I smiled bitterly.

There is no forever.