Chapter 3 After submitting my resignation to Hilda , I returned to my desk to wrap up the last of my tasks . Audrey Winslow , the colleague who would be taking over my responsibilities , had always been on good terms with me . When she heard the news , her disappointment was evident . She asked , " Nora , are you seriously quitting ? " I swear , I'm going to be stuck watching those two lovebirds show off their relationship every single day ! " Following her gaze , I saw Damien explaining a case to Astrid . Astrid looked visibly annoyed after Damien's reprimand . Trying to ease the tension , he pulled out a Corvella bracelet and handed it to her . Her eyes immediately lit up as she slipped it onto her wrist . When Damien's gaze met mine , he jumped to his feet , clearly taken aback . " Nora , nothing is going on between Mr. Thornwell and me . It's just a plain bracelet ! " Astrid's denial immediately drew everyone's attention , their eyes shifting between her and me . After five years together , Damien had never once given me anything expensive . Just like him , everyone assumed I was a country bumpkin who didn't know the first thing about luxury goods . They all felt sorry for me . Audrey stood by my side , her eyes burning with indignation on my behalf . " You're still his girlfriend , right ? They're totally making a fool out of you ! " I squeezed her hand and shook my head , silently asking her to calm down . Turning to Astrid , I said , " That bracelet is beautiful . It really suits you . " When I didn't get upset , Astrid cautiously continued , " Nora , it's really nothing more than an ordinary bracelet . Please don't be mad . " A wave of confusion washed over me . I didn't see a point in getting angry . After all , I had plenty of bracelets like that back home in Pemberly . Damien stood up , his brow furrowing . " Nora , please don't make a scene , " he said sharply . I sighed and shook my head . " I'm honestly not upset . You should stop assuming things about me . " My calm demeanor seemed to catch him off guard . He let out a cold snort . " You had better mean that . " Without saying another word , he pulled Astrid down to sit beside him . Audrey couldn't help but ask , " Are you really just going to let them off that easily ? " I shrugged and turned back to my files . " That's right . As far as I'm concerned , my relationship with him is already over . " After 52 failed wedding attempts , I had nothing left to give . Later that evening , Damien unexpectedly showed up at my desk , offering to help me pack . " Come on , " he said . " I've got us a reservation at The Gilded Fork for 8:00 pm . If we head out head out now , we'll make it just in time . " As his gaze fell on my bare wrist , he paused , clearly caught off guard . A flicker of panic crossed his face . " What happened to the bracelet I gave you ? " he asked . " I was worried I'd break it , so I took it off and left it at He let out a sigh of relief , a faint smile forming on his face . to wear it every day . What made you start being more careful with it now ? " Before I could come up with an excuse , Astrid rushed over and stopped beside us . " Mr. Thornwell , I'm done packing my things ! " Damien's focus shifted to her immediately . He gave a nod and gestured toward the car . I watched as she headed straight for the front passenger seat . Throughout our five years together , I had never once sat in that seat . Damien always said it was meant for his future wife , and that it would belong to me only after we were married . Meeting Astrid's provocative glance , I lowered my eyes in silence . By then , my heart felt utterly pumb . At the restaurant , Damien and Astrid sat side by side , ordering their meals without sparing me a single glance , I embraced the quiet , resting my head on my hand as I stared out the window . Tomorrow would probably be the last time I saw this view . The dishes arrived soon after . To my surprise , Damien peeled a shrimp and placed it on my plate . " The shrimp here is really good , " he said . I looked up and caught his gentle smile . In a moment like this , I hadn't expected him to still care . Astrid couldn't help but jump in . " I'm the one who recommended this place to Mr. Thornwell ! Last time we came , he polished off three whole plates ! " Damien's cheeks turned red with embarrassment . " You didn't have to say that in front of Ms. Lennox … " Astrid chuckled , covering her grin with her hand , her eyes sheepishly meeting mine . " Sorry , Nora . I hope this little slip doesn't affect how you think of Mr. Thornwell . " They laughed together , completely ignoring me . I looked down at the shrimp on my plate , feeling my appetite vanish . After forcing down a bite , I pushed the plate away without taking another bite . " I'm not a fan . You can have it , " Their playful teasing finally quieted . " Are you upset ? " Damien asked gently . I shook my head . " No. The shrimp's too fishy . I'm just not used to it . " It was just like them - off - putting and impossible to swallow . After dinner , Damien took the drunken Astrid home , leaving me to close the door behind them . The moment they were gone , I called a taxi and headed straight for the airport . Damien kept messaging me on WhatsApp , already planning our next wedding . Maybe it was guilt , but this time , he insisted on managing everything on his own . " Trust me . It's really happening this time . No one's going to get in the way . " " Okay , " I typed back , my face blank . But deep inside , I knew the truth . Like all the others before it , this wedding was destined to be canceled once again . Just moments before boarding the plane , another message from him came through . " Astrid drank too much , and her stomach's acting up . I won't be coming home tonight . Take care of yourself . " A quiet , bitter laugh escaped me . I'd been expecting this . " Fine . Stay at her place , then . I've already moved out . There's nothing left between us anymore . " Goodbye forever , Damien . " After texting him that , I blocked and removed his contact . As the plane lifted off , I stared out the window , watching Aberton's shimmering lights dissolve into the darkness below . On the other side of the screen , Damien sat frozen , utterly caught off guard . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!