Chapter 3 Farewell I looked down at the phone and saw Kennedys name on the screen .
I took a deep breath before picking up .
Yes , Mr.
Adams ? He didnt waste a second .
Weve got a problem , Julian .
A fire broke out in the hills on the west side last night .
Three squads couldnt hold it back .
The situation is still out of control .
Were next .
My nerves instantly snapped to attention , and I replied , Got it .
Im ready any time .
I didnt have time to feel heartache I was already calling a cab to get back to the station .
I knew just how terrifying wildfires could be when they spiraled out of control .
Once it spread , who knew how many innocent .
families would get caught in the devastation ? Compared to that , whatever was going on between me and Elizabeth felt meaningless .
Yet , Kennedy said , You dont need to rush back just yet .
Given the situation … I think you understand .
Im giving you one day to say goodbye to your family , especially your wife .
Youre married , right ? That stopped me dead in my tracks , and a flood of emotions immediately hit me all at once .
Everyone at the station knew I was married , but since Elizabeth Chapter 3 Farewell 2/9 as an excuse to had never once visited , and always used work dodge the teams family gatherings , theyd all basically forgotten she existed .
Got it , Mr.
Adams , I said before hanging up and letting out a heavy sigh .
After five years of marriage , I knew Elizabeths temperament all too well .
She was always the devout one , claiming she was too devoted to her faith to care about worldly things , including me .
Every time I had to leave for a mission , even if she knew about .
it , shed offer a few token words of concern , nothing more .
Over the years , Id grown used to how distant she was .
Eventually , I stopped bothering her altogether .
But this time was different .
So even if it meant facing her cold expression again , I turned around and went home .
It only took five minutes to get there , and when I saw Elizabeth again , it wasnt the cold indifference Id imagined .
She was about to head out , dressed to the nines , radiating elegance .
She looked absolutely stunning Id never seen her so dressed up before .
I need to talk to you , I said .
I walked up to Elizabeths car , but she didnt even glance at me .
Her tone was flat as she said , Well talk later .

Ive got something urgent .
Where are you going ? I frowned slightly , refusing to step aside .
I had to tell her wildfires were no joke , and I had no idea if Id even make it back this time .
Chapter 3 Farewell 3/9 When Elizabeth had something urgent , it was usually either 21 a corporate matter or a trip to the temple .
What I didnt expect was to see Callum sitting in the passenger seat .
She didnt respond , but Callum chimed in to explain , Sorry , Mr.
Thornton .
My company has a lunch event today .
Elizabeth offered to come with me .
Then , he turned to Elizabeth and asked , Maybe I should just go by myself , Elizabeth ? She replied without hesitation , No need .
Hes not here for anything important anyway .
Your thing matters more .
And just like that , she started the car and drove off , not sparing me at second glance .
I couldnt move .
It took me a long moment to register what was happening .
My throat clenched like I was trying to swallow a brick , and my heart felt like it had been ripped wide open .
more In five years together , Elizabeth had turned down my invitations times than I could count .
But for Callums company gathering ? She didnt even blink just dressed up and left with him .
Its barely noon and you are already on your way out , huh , Elizabeth ? You say those who practice Buddhism dont lie and that youve been faithful .
But when I look at you and Callum , he seems more like your husband than I ever was .
Dont tell me you went to that gathering for his kid too .
Chapter 3 Farewell It was laughable .
I felt like Id just stepped into an ice bath- numb and shivering to the bone .
4/9 After Elizabeth left , there was no reason for me to stay .
The house that had once been filled with warmth and hope now felt like something I couldnt stand to be in .
With every step I took , it felt like I was walking through soap bubbles made of our best moments each one bursting as soon as I touched it .
Beautiful , but gone in an instant .
That night , I got a message from Elizabeth .
It reads : [ You said you had something to tell me , right ? Lets have dinner .
I happened to be free tonight .
] Her casual invite felt more like a handout to someone she pitied .
After some hesitation , I still decided to go .
It was because I wanted to talk to Elizabeth properly about the divorce .
I figured that if I really didnt make it back this time , I wanted to go without any ties left behind .
I didnt want to be tangled up with her anymore .
So , I booked the restaurant where we had our first date and asked Elizabeth to come alone .

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I figured it was only right that things end where they once began .
The table looked exactly the same , and even the wind chime by the window still hung in its place .
Everything around us Chapter 3 Farewell 5/9 remained untouched but we werent the same people anymore .
But Elizabeth never got back to me .
I waited until past nine , long after the dinner rush had ended .
The restaurant was about to close , and she still hadnt shown up .
Figures .
She has always been all discipline and no feeling anyway .
But thats nothing new .
I stopped expecting anything from her a long time ago .
But just as I was about to leave , Elizabeth finally walked in .
But she wasnt alone .
She came with Callum and Gideon .
Why are they here ? I frowned .
This was supposed to be a final goodbye life and death kind of serious .
I didnt want any outsiders around .
Elizabeth didnt seem to care .
I was working late .
Callum and Gideon hadnt eaten either , so whats wrong with them tagging along ? she asked , and as she spoke , Callum and Gideon had already taken seats across from me .
There was still a spot open beside me , but she barely glanced at it before sitting down next to them instead .
Callum offered to pay as an apology , she said lightly .
You could learn a thing or two , Julian .
Dont be so stingy .
Elizabeths casual tone tore into me again deep , brutal , unbearable ..
I didnt want our last dinner to end in an argument .
I had come ready to say goodbye the right way .
But with Callum and Gideon Chapter 3 Farewell 6/9 there , all the words Id practiced wouldnt come out .
They just sat there , choking me .
Elizabeth , if you knew I asked you here tonight to say goodbye for good … would you still have brought them ? But it doesnt matter anymore .
Not like Ill get another chance .
Your heart is too cold .
Im done trying to reach it .
As I was lost in thought , Callum suddenly spoke up , Mr.
Thornton , this ones on me , okay ? Just order whatever you want .
Elizabeth is a kind soul , and Im really grateful you accepted Gideon .
I mean it .

Then , he raised his glass to me , trying to show his gratitude .
But I didnt move an inch .
The moment hung there , awkward and cold , with him stuck mid motion .
Elizabeth frowned , Just ignore him .
Lets enjoy the drink .
Hes never been the type to take things gracefully .
Honestly , youre too kind for someone like him .
With that , she clinked glasses with Callùm , brushing off my silence while comforting him and belittling me all at once .
Her voice was warm and gentle , and she even turned to include Gideon .
Cheers ! The three of them raised their glasses , smiling , laughing and talking about home decor and Gideons favorite things .
And just like that , I , sitting right across from them , felt like some stranger whod been awkwardly seated at the wrong table .
Chapter 3 Farewell It dawned on me all at once , and I asked outright , Elizabeth , was it you who wanted to meet me tonight , or was it him ? Of course it was Callum .
He wanted to apologize to you .
You think I have time for this ? Elizabeth replied with a frown , and just like that , whatever shred of hope I had left shattered completely .
7/9 What a joke .
Our final meeting … had been arranged by Callum .
The pain was so sharp I couldnt even describe it , but at that moment , I finally found the courage to let go .
The station called today .
They want me to help with the wildfire at the mountain .
Its bad , so I might not make it back .
I just wanted to finalize the divorce and give you both what you want .
I said it , and for a second , I felt relieved .
But I hadnt expected what came next not a single one of them reacted .
Their laughter didnt stop , and they didnt even glance my way .
Right then , I felt like the punchline of some cruel joke .
That fleeting sense of relief turned into a searing ache .
I forced myself to hold it all back and asked , Elizabeth … did you even hear what I said ? Elizabeth was too busy putting food on Gideons plate .
Without even looking at me , she muttered , Yeah , got it .
Stay safe .
I let out a bitter laugh at myself .
How did I even last five years in a marriage like this ? If she Chapter 3 Farewell 8/9 doesnt care enough to listen , then thats that .
I stood up , ready to leave only for the chandelier above me to suddenly come loose and crash down straight onto my head .
There was a loud crash as the glass chandelier came down .
It shattered above me , and in an instant , blood was streaming down my face .
I hit the floor , dazed and stumbling .
All eyes in the restaurant snapped toward me , and Elizabeth was no exception .
Her expression twisted in panic as she sprinted to my side , shouting , Julian !