Chapter 4

Nigel was running a high fever that night, and Joyce still wasn't home. He was delirious, his body weak and limp, too exhausted to even call the emergency number. All he could do was drag himself up, grab some fever medicine, and down it with water. The medication didn't kick in right away. He collapsed back onto the bed, his whole body burning with discomfort. He had no idea how long it had been before he finally drifted off to sleep. A day and night passed before Nigel's fever broke, and he finally heard the front door open. Joyce came in without a glance at him. She didn't mention anything about not picking him up that day. Quietly, she started packing her bags, and only when everything was packed did she finally acknowledge him. "Jeffrey's having a rough time, so I'll be with him for the next few days. Just give me a call if you need anything." Joyce hurried out after that. Nigel smiled self-deprecatingly. Would calling her even make a difference? He was standing there, looking ghostly pale, yet she didn't even notice he was unwell. How could he still believe she'd leave Jeffrey for him? Joyce didn't return or even call in the days that followed. But Nigel knew exactly where she was, thanks to Jeffrey, who couldn't resist posting about everything online. Nigel could see on Jeffrey's Instagram what they were up to daily—like her making soup and peeling shrimp for him or taking him out to unwind and watch fireworks. Even so, Nigel didn't pay much attention to what they were doing. After getting better, he went to the office to hand in his resignation. "Nigel, why are you quitting out of the blue? Did something go wrong?" His colleagues were all surprised. Nigel shook his head and explained, "I've been away for years, and it's time to return home." His colleagues were even more puzzled by his explanation. Finally, someone asked, "What about Dr. Marlow? She lives here in the city. Won't you two end up in a long-distance relationship if you go back to your hometown?" Nigel paused, realizing once again how well his friends knew him—how deeply he loved Joyce, to the point where he was willing to give up everything to stay in this unfamiliar city for her. He loved her so much that everyone seemed to believe he was the one meant to make all the sacrifices in their relationship. Yet Joyce never appreciated his sacrifices and instead showered all her care and tenderness on someone else. Nigel shook his head with a smile. "Long-distance isn't happening. We won't be seeing each other anymore." After finishing handing over his work and packing everything up, he carried his box home. He walked in and saw Joyce and Jeffrey sitting in the living room. Joyce was surprised when she saw Nigel return with a box. Without a second thought, she asked, "What's going on?" "They're moving the office, so I brought my stuff home first," Nigel said, lying smoothly with no hint of panic. "Moving where?" Joyce asked, giving him a puzzled look. Before Nigel could say anything, Jeffrey jumped in. "Nigel, my dad passed away recently, and I've been in a pretty bad place. I made bad decisions, like suggesting to Joy that we have a kid together. "Now that I think about it, it was pretty absurd, but nothing ever happened between me and Joy. Now that my dad's gone, I don't see the point in having a kid anymore. "I'm sorry. Please don't take it personally!" Jeffrey made a pitiful face. Nigel could've fallen for it if it weren't for that screenshot of Jeffrey's messages that provoked him. But he wasn't about to call out his little tricks now. He simply nodded and carried his box back to his room. He had barely set his things down when his phone started ringing from the living room. Only then did Nigel remember he'd left his phone out there. He was about to go get it when the door flew open. Joyce stood in the doorway, her face stormy with anger. She held his phone and glared at him. "Who's this 'Darling' on your phone?"