"I want a breakup."

I delivered the words flatly.


Harlan's hands froze under the running water.

He glanced back, clearly thinking I was just being dramatic.

"Don't be ridiculous, Rachel. I'm free this afternoon—we can catch that movie. My treat, to make up for last night."


I didn't want his pity movie date.

What bothered me was how easily he'd abandoned me in the rain without a second thought.


Now I didn't even want to fix things.

I smiled coldly. "Harlan, I caught a fever from the rain and saw a doctor. My recent full-body scan results came back. I have cancer—terminal. I won't burden you with it."

I delivered the lie with casual detachment. Harlan's jaw dropped.

He grabbed my shoulders, eyes wide with panic.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I'm dying, Harlan. And I'm breaking up with you."

I met his gaze calmly, as if discussing the weather.

Harlan's eyes welled with tears—the first genuine emotion I'd seen from him in weeks.

He grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the door.

"No way. We're getting a second opinion right now."

I shook my head. "Actually, I'm craving cake from that bakery across town."

I knew exactly which buttons to push.

His eyes lit up with desperate hope.

"Wait right here. I'll get it now, and then we'll go to the hospital together."

I nodded meekly.

The moment his car pulled away, I grabbed my pre-packed suitcase and collected the last of my belongings.

I grabbed my laptop from his study, along with the notes I'd been keeping.

On the coffee table, I left the forged medical report I'd prepared days ago.

I took one final look around the apartment.

After three years, I felt a surprising pang of nostalgia.

I took a deep breath and walked out, closing the door on that chapter of my life.

The world suddenly seemed vast and empty. Where could I go now?

Then I remembered Tim.

Tim had rescued me from the storm last night, driving me home without asking questions.

In college, I'd been the publicity director for the student union, and he was my eager underclassman.

We hadn't been particularly close back then. Funny how life brings people back around.

I called him, and twenty minutes later, his car pulled up to the curb.

Tim spotted my luggage and wordlessly loaded it into his trunk.

"You mentioned your pet shop needed help last night," I said, trying to sound casual. "Any chance that job with room and board is still available?"

"You don't need excuses with me." Tim held the car door open. "After everything you taught me in college, I owe you."

"Trouble in paradise?" he asked carefully.

The question came out of nowhere, though my puffy eyes probably gave me away.

I stared at my hands. "You could say that."

He squeezed my shoulder. "Well, my couch isn't fancy, but it's yours as long as you need it. And the shop could genuinely use the help."

Tim owned a small but charming pet shop.

He'd studied business in college, not veterinary science. The career change surprised me, but the shop suited his gentle nature.

Luckily, I'd always loved animals. Maybe this unexpected detour was exactly what I needed.