I Spent Six Christmas Eves Waiting For Nothing Chapter 03

I Spent Six Christmas Eves Waiting For Nothing Chapter 03

“I’m sorry,” Chloe mumbled, sliding back into her seat and offering me an awkward, defensive smile.

Only then did Garrett look up at me. His eyes were cold, heavy with blame and irritation.

He didn’t say a word to me. Instead, he rested his hand on Chloe’s shoulder, rubbing it gently to comfort her.

“Don’t worry about it,” he murmured to her. “She just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. She’ll get over it. Let’s eat.”

He had never taken my emotions seriously.

Whether I was furious or heartbroken, in Garrett’s eyes, I was always just throwing a tantrum over nothing.

“I don’t like a loud house, I don’t like random people staying in my home, and I especially don’t appreciate someone rudely barging into my bedroom without knocking,” I said flatly.

Chloe’s face instantly flushed crimson. She looked at me helplessly, her fingers tugging at Garrett’s sleeve as if she were on the verge of tears.

“Is it really necessary to target her like this?” Garrett snapped, his brow furrowing deeply.

“Just because I spent last night with her instead of you, you have to act this petty and small-minded?”

“Are you serious right now? It was just one dinner. It’s not like you’re dying and this was your last Christmas Eve ever.”

“I’ll make it up to you next time, okay?”

There wouldn’t be a next time.

I had no desire to argue with him, so I lowered my eyes.

My gaze drifted to his bare left ring finger. His wedding band had been missing for six months, and he hadn’t bothered to look for it.

It was probably long gone.

Just like his disregard for me, he had no respect for anything I gave him, no matter how much sentimental value it held.

“Maybe I should just leave,” Chloe whimpered.

A few tears actually spilled over her cheeks.

“I really am getting between you two. I’ll book a flight out of here this afternoon and stay out of your way.”

Garrett immediately untied the apron from her waist, grabbing her arm, her designer bag, and her shoes.

“I’m taking you out,” he said.

Even after the front door slammed shut, his voice still echoed faintly through the hallway.

“Forget about her, don’t let it ruin your day.”

“She’s not normal. She’s always been this heavy, miserable drag—like a lifeless old ghost.”

Only then did the girl break into a cheerful laugh.

I took all the breakfast dishes, walked into the kitchen, and scraped everything straight into the trash.

During the entire morning, Garrett sent me only a single text.

[Garrett: Check the family group chat and see what my mom is saying. I’m busy right now.]

He hadn’t even noticed that I removed myself from the family group thread. Out of dozens of family members, not a single person had picked up on my absence.

I couldn’t help but find it deeply ironic.

I wanted to laugh, but when I thought about the past six years—how I had bent over backwards to please his family, only to end up completely invisible to them—a profound sense of sorrow washed over me.

Around noon, the two of them returned, laughing and talking.

Chloe was sporting a gorgeous new designer handbag.

I recognized it—it was the latest seasonal release, incredibly expensive, the kind you had to build a massive purchase history at the boutique just to be offered.

I had casually mentioned it to Garrett once, but he had dismissed it, saying it wasn’t worth the money.

“Elena, we bought some stuff for you too!” Chloe called out, waving Garrett over.

Only then did he drop several shopping bags onto the floor in front of me.

“Take whatever you want,” he said casually.

Inside were all the throwaway ready-to-wear pieces and silk scarves they had to purchase to get the bag.

The clothing sizes were tailored exactly to Chloe’s petite frame. One glance was enough to know I would never fit into any of it.

I sifted through the bags and took all the silk scarves.

They would make perfect welcome gifts for my new coworkers tomorrow. At least it saved me a trip to the mall.

“What did Mom say in the group chat?” Garrett asked.

I ignored him, continuing to fold the scarves carefully.

“I’m talking to you,” he pressed, his voice tightening.

Only then did I look up.

“Are you asking me? I have no idea. I’m not in the group chat anymore.”