“You’re right. I should thank you for your generosity.” My smile felt distant, as if it were someone else’s wedding we were talking about, not mine.
Derick stared at me, stunned, still watching as I walked away. When I got home, I began packing my things, calling for a courier to take the boxes. Four years of my life, and all I had barely filled two boxes. When Derick returned later, he arrived just as the courier was leaving with my things. He looked alarmed, as if panicked by what he saw.
“What’s with the boxes? Why’d you call a courier service?”
My reply came easily, as casual as could be. “Just sending some gifts to my parents.”
He opened his mouth to ask more, but right then, his phone lit up with a notification—a game invite. Instantly, his attention shifted.
I knew it was from Becky. She’d posted just minutes earlier, hinting at a wild night of singlehood for Derick before he “settled down,” planning two straight days of gaming with him to celebrate his “last days of freedom.”
Derick said he’d be out on a business trip for two days and didn’t want to be disturbed before the wedding. I didn’t call him out; I just mumbled an acknowledgment and shut the door.