Chapter 5

The memories left a bitter taste.

I pressed my lips together and threw the lingerie in the trash.

Just as I finished packing, the front door opened.

The person who came in was drunk, stumbling towards me.

It was Zachary.

His face was flushed red as he slurred:

"Olivia, why have you been ignoring me lately?"

Zachary staggered and crashed into me, dangling a dirty keychain in front of my face.

"Look, I picked up the trash you threw away."

It was snowing heavily outside. He had an intricately knit English plaid scarf around his neck.

Hand-knitted, very delicate, with a little peach embroidered on it.

I suddenly remembered the scarf I had knitted for Zachary.

Very crude stitching, hideously ugly.

But I had to admit, the scarf Tessa knitted suited him better.

Zachary came closer and closer. I could clearly see the scar above his eyebrow.

That was a hero's medal.

But only now did I realize that some people's heroic dreams survive by feeding on others' sincere hearts.

"Tessa was just joking with you. She knows this keychain means a lot to me, since it was the first gift you ever gave me..."

He suddenly hugged me, murmuring in my ear:

"Sweet Olivia, let me hold you. I'm a bit drunk."

So what was I then?

I shoved him away hard, tears falling uncontrollably:

"Zachary, you have a girlfriend now. We've crossed a line."

He froze, then suddenly gave a mocking smile:

"So what if I have a girlfriend? Does that stop you from still liking me?"

In that instant, my heart turned upside down.

I had always thought my feelings were so quiet and subtle.

But it turns out Zachary wasn't completely oblivious - he knew everything.

He just enjoyed my affection for him.

Because he knew my love came free of charge.

It hurt so much. Too much.

"Zachary."

I pried his fingers off one by one:

"I don't want to like you anymore."

I wiped my tears and clutched the boarding pass in my hand.

"I won't be coming back to this so-called home either."