Chapter 7

Feigning the need for fresh air, I slipped out and caught a cab to the airport.

By the end of the night, I blocked Carter's number and left the city where I had wasted nine years.

When Carter got home that evening and saw the empty space where my things had been, he furiously texted me from a new number:

"Skylar, what's going on?"

"Aren't we getting engaged? Why did you move out?"

Carter's calls flooded in, one after another, from different numbers. I counted at least seven.

He wouldn't let up.

Eventually, I answered after my plane landed.

"We're done," I said flatly.

"Skylar Quinn, have you lost your mind? We're about to get engaged, and you're breaking up with me?"

"I'm giving you and Brielle my blessing," I replied, my tone void of emotion. "You two are clearly meant to be."

"This is about Brielle, isn't it? Why are you always jealous of her? She's just a friend!"

"I'm marrying you, not her. Isn't that enough?"

"Carter, I don't love you anymore." My voice remained steady. "It's over."

"Skylar, think about this," he growled coldly. "After nine years with me, who would want you?"

I trembled with rage, barely holding back the fire inside me as I hung up.

Nine years of my life had been one big joke.

The love I had invested everything in felt unrecognizable now.

Back home, my parents were thrilled to see me.

Years of work and my toxic relationship with Carter had kept me away.

My visits had been rare, and my parents looked older.

"Don't worry, Mom and Dad. I'm here to stay this time," I promised.

I planned to settle down, find a steady job, and maybe, eventually, a good partner.

Marriage, family—none of it included Carter.

For so long, my life had revolved around him.

But now, I saw my future could be entirely different.

The moment I walked out of his penthouse, I knew I wouldn't look back.

Carter's texts didn't stop.

Each one was cold and demanding:

"Don't think I'll come begging. This runaway act won't work on me."

"You're almost thirty. You really think you'll find someone better than me?"

"Get back here. No one else is going to marry you."

I blocked him again, and my peace returned.

"Skylar, your dad set up a meeting with a match. He's on his way. Aren't you getting ready?"

I snapped awake, realizing I'd completely forgotten.

"You skipped the last one at The Greenleaf Café. This time, he's coming to the house. Don't embarrass us again."

Hearing my mom outside, I jumped out of bed—not to get dressed but to escape through the window.

I wasn't ready to date again, so I ran.

Cowardly? Maybe. But effective.

"Skylar's missing!"

"She must've snuck out—this girl, I swear…"

I sighed in relief, crouched on the second-floor balcony, and waited ten minutes before trying to climb down.

That's when I saw him, standing by the garden wall, watching me with an amused grin.

"Planning to jump?"

"It's… you!"

Startled, I lost my grip and fell.