I Stopped Waiting And Traveled Alone Chapter 04

I Stopped Waiting And Traveled Alone Chapter 04

“Have you seen my presentation from yesterday? I swear I left it on the coffee table.” Hayes stepped in, slipping off his shoes like he owned the place.

He looked up and locked eyes with me. His face drained of all color.

“Jenna, let me explain.” He grabbed my wrist urgently. “Our apartment is too far from the lab, the commute’s brutal. I only crash here to get work done.”

“Nothing is going on between Hannah and me. Those matching things were on sale as a set, no hidden meaning.”

When I gave no reaction, his tone turned sharp. “This all comes down to how clingy you are. You push me too hard. I’ve told you, Hannah and I are strictly colleagues. Believe it or not.”

“Jenna, relationships need personal space. We’re both at fault here. Let’s meet halfway. I’ll get all my stuff from here by next week, okay?”

The buzzing in my head faded. Hayes shifted uncomfortably under my gaze and called my name hesitantly.

After a long pause, I gently pulled my hand free and forced a thin smile. “Okay, I get it.”

Hayes stared, caught off-guard by how easily I seemed to let it go. “…What?”

“I believe nothing’s going on. It makes sense that you’d look out for a junior lab member.”

He couldn’t find the words to reply and followed silently behind me as I walked out.

Once we were outside the apartment complex, he couldn’t hold it in anymore. “You’re not mad that I’ve been staying at another woman’s place?”

“You already explained it to me.”

“But you used to—” He trailed off.

I quickened my pace, worn out.

I’d spent so long chasing after Hayes I’d nearly forgotten: breaking up doesn’t require negotiation. You just give notice.

Arguing was pointless. I couldn’t afford any disruptions before my transfer to Hightown went through.

Texts kept popping up on my phone:

[My parents are in Brampton. You’ve been dying to meet them. Let’s have lunch. I’ll formally introduce you.]

[How much longer are you hiding out at your friend’s place? What’s the point of acting so high and mighty in front of Hannah?]

[Jenna, fair warning. My parents expect their future daughter-in-law to be mature and poised. If you keep throwing childish fits, I can’t guarantee they’ll like you.]

I muted his notifications while packing my things at home.

Hayes set his phone down, a faint smile tugging at his lips. My so-called “stubborn tantrum” gave him that old sense of security again.

He walked straight into my office building, carrying a gift box—the necklace I’d been eyeing for ages but never bought for myself.

He was probably already imagining how shocked, touched and remorseful I’d be.

This was Jenna, after all. The girl who couldn’t survive without him.

Every single fight in the past, all he’d had to do was lift a finger, and I’d run right back into his arms. Besides, he’d put thought into this gift. He wanted to talk through our future.

“Hi, I’m here for Jenna.”

The receptionist looked confused and double-checked the system. “Sir, Jenna submitted her transfer request last Friday. Are you sure you have the right person?”

I went through my moving checklist: toner, melatonin, pajamas.

I’d thought packing would be a massive chore. But after three years living in this apartment with Hayes, everything I needed fit inside one suitcase.

I left the rest behind—just like every memory tied to him.

The front door beeped as someone punched in the passcode.

Hayes saw me and exhaled, his voice a mix of irritation and relief. “Finally decided to come home?”

Ever since the loft, I’d been crashing at my best friend’s place to avoid him.

No concern, no remorse. His first instinct was to accuse me. “Why haven’t you answered my texts? Do you realize how terrible an impression you’ve left on my parents? Dinner got moved to tonight. Dress nicely.”

He then noticed my packed suitcase and squatted down, grinning up at me. “Alright, I know you’re jealous over the Hannah situation.”

“I’ve cleared all my belongings out of her apartment. Come check if you don’t believe me.” He reached out and playfully scratched my chin. “Jenna, playing the silent treatment might work on some guys, but it doesn’t work on me.”

I lifted my eyes and drew in a slow breath. “I accepted the company’s transfer for Hightown tonight.”

Hayes wasn’t fazed. “I was just at your office. I already called your HR and had your transfer put on hold.”

My hands froze mid-packing. “What?!”

He sighed. “Jenna, a little attitude is fine, but this stubborn act is getting old. You’re just throwing a tantrum. You’d only end up crawling back, begging HR to reverse everything and buying a flight home anyway. Why go through all that trouble?”

I shot to my feet, emotions spilling over. “Who gave you the right to make decisions for me? Hayes, have you ever respected my judgment or my feelings?”

Hayes hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. He blinked, then his brows drew together. “Wake up, Jenna. I did your homework for you back in high school. I handled out your major switch in college. For years, I’ve made most big calls for you. Moving to Hightown all by yourself? That’s ridiculous.”

He smirked sarcastically. “Don’t read too many internet think-pieces and start thinking you’re some independent heroine.”

He flipped open a velvet jewelry box, revealing the elegant necklace inside. The classic carrot-and-stick tactic—his specialty.

His tone softened. “I’ve thought a lot these past few days. Five years dating, three years living together. It’s time we took the next step. Meeting my parents tonight is the perfect start.”

“Jenna, I’m trying to build a real future for us.”

Once, those words and that fancy gift would’ve swept me off my feet. That was the future I’d once dreamed of.

Now I stared down at the necklace for a long moment and let out a bitter laugh.

“Hayes. We’re done.”