The Tickets He Gave Me Became My Best Friend’s Trip Instead Chapter 02

The Tickets He Gave Me Became My Best Friend’s Trip Instead Chapter 02

I looked at Julian’s jacket draped over Claire’s shoulders and didn’t answer.

Julian came straight to me, wrapped both arms around me, and leaned heavily against me.

“Long day,” he murmured. “Just let me hold you for a minute.”

He placed the white bakery box in my hands.

“I waited in line at your favorite bakery for half an hour. I kept the box under my coat, so they should still be warm.”

Claire pressed a hand to her stomach and frowned.

“I didn’t get a chance to eat tonight. My stomach’s starting to hurt.”

Mrs. Mercer, who had supposedly been asleep in her room, appeared in the hallway with her cane. She made a series of strained sounds as she pointed first at the box in my hands and then at Claire.

Julian sighed and took the box from me.

“Claire’s blood sugar is probably low. Let her have these. I’ll bring you another box tomorrow, so don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Claire sat down as if the decision had been obvious.

“Julian’s too soft,” she said. “He feels guilty whenever he can’t be with you, so he runs around buying you little treats.”

She glanced around the apartment.

“You have it easy here. You cook a little and take care of the house, and you never have to deal with the pressure of the business world. You should be grateful.”

A faint smile touched her lips.

“I could never let my entire life shrink to a kitchen and a list of errands.”

She never openly competed with me. She acted as if competing with another woman were beneath her.

Every word was meant to show that she and Julian understood each other in a way I never could.

I brought Julian a cup of ginger tea. He caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my knuckles, but the moment Claire coughed, his attention shifted to her.

“You’re still coughing?” he asked. “Was the air-conditioning too cold in there?”

Then he turned to me, his voice gentle but leaving no room for refusal.

“Nora, Claire’s stomach is already upset, and now she’s chilled. Could you make her some chicken noodle soup? The way you make it is easy on the stomach.”

He gave my hand a small squeeze.

“Please. Don’t make this difficult.”

I didn’t argue. I went into the kitchen and watched the broth simmer without feeling much of anything.

When I set the bowl in front of Claire, she moved the noodles around with her spoon before taking a reluctant bite.

“It’s fine,” she said. “A little bland.”

Julian smiled and agreed with her.

“Nora doesn’t use much seasoning. Eat a little anyway. It’ll be easier on your stomach.”

Claire forced down another spoonful, then frowned at the smell clinging to her clothes.

“I smell like alcohol, and it’s making me nauseous. Do you mind if I take a quick shower?”

Julian agreed without hesitation and disappeared into our bedroom.

When he returned, he was holding a brand-new set of silk pajamas.

They were part of a matching set I had bought for our anniversary the following week. I hadn’t even removed the tags.

I stepped in front of him without thinking.

“Julian, those are…”

He caught my hand before I could finish.

“You have plenty of other things to wear. She just needs something clean in a pinch. Is that really such a big deal?”

Something in me dimmed a little further.

Claire came out of the bathroom wearing my silk pajamas. She picked up my perfume from the dresser and sprayed it twice on her wrist.

“This is too sweet,” she said. “It doesn’t really suit me.”

Julian walked over and took the bottle from her.

“Nora likes sweeter scents. I think this one smells good on her.”

Then he added, “If you want something different, I’ll have a few woody fragrances sent to your office tomorrow.”

In so many ways, Julian’s love had always seemed flawless.

Yet he gave away the most private parts of my life without a second thought, as if there were nothing cruel about it.

Late that night, Julian slept beside me with one hand wrapped around mine. I carefully slipped free, got out of bed, and began packing everything that belonged to me.

Piece by piece, every trace of my life faded from the apartment.

The man sleeping in our bed simply rolled over.

The next morning, I opened a train-booking app and selected a one-way ticket south. I was about to confirm the purchase when Julian’s amused voice came from behind me.

“What are you buying? You look completely absorbed.”