Chapter 4Fever Broke and So Did We

His reaction actually surprised me. I hadn't realized he still cared whether I came home or not.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off.

"Why did you leave the sink full of dirty dishes before you left?" he snapped. "The laundry is overflowing, and you didn't even bother to take out the trash. It's practically rotting in the hallway."

"Just because you don't own this place doesn't mean you can treat it like a dumpster."

I stared at him, listening to his furious accusations, a bitter numbness spreading through my chest.

From the very first day I’d moved in, I had quietly taken on the role of keeping this house running. I cooked, I cleaned, I did the laundry. I was even the one who made sure the utility bills were paid on time.

How could he stand there and act like I’d done nothing? How could he be so utterly blind to everything I’d contributed?

I looked at him, a cold, self-deprecating smile touching my lips.

"Mason, am I your maid?"

"When you begged me to move in, you promised I wouldn't have to lift a finger. You said you’d take care of all the housework."

"But the reality is, I've done everything. What exactly have you done?"

He’d said he hated the smell of grease, so I never asked him to step foot in the kitchen. He’d said he was too exhausted from work, so I never asked him to sweep a floor. I handled it all, believing that he appreciated my quiet efforts.

Instead, he just looked at me with deep annoyance.

"Sadie manages to keep her place absolutely spotless, and she never complains," he muttered defensively.

"Norah, why can't you be more like her? Just grow up a little. Stop whining about every little chore. Honestly, with this attitude, who would even want to marry you?"

We’d been together for five years. Our friends had asked us countless times when we were finally going to tie the knot.

Every time they did, I would look at him, waiting, hoping. I wanted the proposal. I wanted to see myself in his future.

But he would always brush it off with a casual smile.

"No rush. Let's wait a bit."

Six simple words to easily dodge the question.

The memory made my chest ache, but I managed a quiet laugh. "Mason, we broke up. Whatever happens to me in the future is none of your business."

"I came back today to get my bags, not to listen to your lectures."

Mason’s face shifted through a dozen emotions, settling on a look of sheer disbelief.

"Norah, are you actually serious?"

"Do you even know—"

Before he could finish, there was a light knock on the door.

The lock clicked, and Sadie walked in, using her own spare key.

"Mason! Are you ready to coach me?" she asked brightly. "I want to practice driving before the evening rush hour hits."

Then, she noticed me standing there. Her cheerful expression faltered, replaced by a delicate, fragile look of concern.

"Oh, hi, Norah. You're back. I... I didn't mean to intrude. I can just go practice on my own..."

"Wait," Mason cut in, his protective instincts immediately flaring. "I don't want you driving alone. I'll come with you."

He turned back to me, his jaw tight. "Norah, think about this carefully. If you walk out that door today, don't expect me to beg you to come back."

"And don't expect me to forgive you or try to patch things up."

He turned on his heel and walked out. A small, victorious smile played at the corners of Sadie’s mouth.

"We'll be on our way then, Norah..." she said softly. "Oh, by the way, I left some organic peaches in the fridge. They're incredibly sweet. Help yourself!"

Her tone was so warm, so natural, as if she were the lady of the house welcoming a houseguest.

I didn't say a word.

Once the door closed behind them, I went into the bedroom and finished packing my bags.

Later that evening, when Mason finally returned, the building's property manager stopped him in the lobby.

"Oh, Mr. Gallagher. Your girlfriend, Norah, removed herself from the building's community portal today. She said any future maintenance issues should go through you. Could you re-join the thread so we can keep in touch?"

Mason froze, the words sinking in like lead. "Why would she leave the portal?"

The manager looked at him, completely baffled. "Well... she said you two broke up. Since she doesn't live here anymore, there was no reason for her to stay in the group."