Chapter 9

With everything unnecessary out of the way, Nigel began packing. He had always seen this place as his second home, leaving pieces of himself in every corner. He thought that if Joyce saw them, it would make her think of him without trying. He thought she'd eventually accept him, fall for him, and realize she couldn't live without him. But that never happened. Nigel's packing slowed down because there was just so much. By the time Joyce returned that night, he was still nowhere near done. She opened the door, stepped into the room, and immediately spotted the bed piled with clothes. Nigel hadn't expected her to come in so abruptly and was startled. While he was thinking of how to explain the clothes scattered around, she asked, "What's all this? Are you going on a business trip?" Nigel paused, turned his back, and went back to packing. He gave a wry smile out of her line of sight. He'd already quit his job. How could he possibly be going on a business trip? Joyce didn't seem to have considered he might leave her, but it didn't matter. He didn't feel like saying much to her, so he simply responded with a hum. Seeing him nod, Joyce didn't think much of it and casually asked, "When are you leaving?" Nigel thought for a second and simply replied, "Tomorrow morning." Joyce didn't say anything else and left the bedroom to cook. She was a great cook but hardly ever had time to cook because of her job. So, Nigel didn't get to enjoy her cooking much. She'd been cooking more recently, but it was all for Jeffrey. Once dinner was over, Joyce pulled a gift box from behind her and slid it toward Nigel. He glanced at her, surprised—this wasn't like her. Nigel didn't take the gift. Instead, he asked, "Is there something you need?" Joyce hesitated, remembering how he looked the last time he left. "I'm sorry about before." Nigel finally understood why she was acting so strangely. He had already decided to let her be with Jeffrey, so the incident when she protected Jefrrey no longer bothered him. Joyce was surprised by how little Nigel seemed to care. But she didn't dwell on it as she remembered what she had to say next. "Jeffrey's been feeling down lately, so I took some time off to spend a few days with him." Joyce watched Nigel's reaction and noticed he remained calm, unlike before when he'd get furious whenever she mentioned seeing Jeffrey. Nigel kept his composure as he sat across from her. He didn't know what kind of reaction was expected from him. He had asked Joyce countless times, whether for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or when he was sick or injured, but she never agreed to take time off for him. But now, she took time off without a second thought just to be there for Jeffrey because he was feeling down. So what else could Nigel say? "Whatever." Joyce, who hardly ever made the first move, stood up and hugged him. "Ni, Jeffrey is the son of Professor Laswell, who meant a lot to me. "He hasn't been the same since Professor Laswell passed away, and what happened lately really affected him. Let me help him through this, and I'll make it up to you later, okay?" Nigel didn't respond. There was no future for them, so it didn't matter. … By early morning, Joyce noticed that Nigel had already placed his luggage by the door. She brought him breakfast. "I'll take you to the airport later." Nigel quietly ate his breakfast at the table. Once they were finished, they got ready to head out. But then, Joyce glanced at her phone and said exactly what Nigel had been expecting, "Ni, something came up, and I can't take you there anymore." Nigel didn't have to guess. He was sure it was Jeffrey who'd contacted her. Nodding at her, he said, "Go ahead." Seeing he was fine with it, Joyce headed out without hesitation. Just before she reached the door, she glanced back at him. "Let me know when you're back, and I'll pick you up." With that, Joyce left without looking back. Nigel watched her fade into the distance and muttered, "Joyce, I'm not coming back." He took one last look around the house he'd called home for six years. He remembered the excitement and curiosity when he first moved in, and the loneliness and sadness when he was left alone. After deciding to leave, he was finally able to put all those emotions behind him. In the end, Nigel left a note on the table. "Joyce, we're done. I'm going back home to get married." With everything settled, he grabbed the suitcase by the door and took a cab to the airport. He was out of Joyce's life for good.