I stared at him for a few seconds.

“So you're saying the last two years are all my fault?”

Sebastian said nothing.

Looking at his almost cruelly composed face, I felt something inside me go silent.

I didn't argue again. I turned and went into the bedroom.

That night, I asked my best friend, Tessa Lane, to help me move my things.

If I wasn't continuing this relationship, I might as well make a clean break.

Tessa arrived the next day in a whirlwind of indignation.

“When you started chasing Sebastian, I told you he wasn't right for you,” she said, folding clothes. “Two years, and he hasn't even taken you on a proper date.”

“Now you're leaving, and where is he? He's a machine. He can spend the rest of his life married to his job!”

I rubbed my forehead. “Tess, stop. I chose this.”

“You let him get away with everything!”

The electronic lock suddenly beeped.

Sebastian came in with his briefcase, the outdoor cold clinging to his black coat.

His gaze stopped on the open suitcase on the carpet. His expression darkened immediately.

Tessa folded her arms, infuriated by his air of aloof self-possession.

“Oh, look. Dr. Hale finally tore himself away from the hospital. Another two days and you wouldn't have found so much as one of Sophie's hairs in here.”

He ignored her. His eyes stayed on me.

“You're leaving?” His voice was tight and cold.

I didn't look up. I put a wrapped measuring cylinder in the suitcase and zipped it closed.

Tessa rolled her eyes and took my hand.

“We're almost packed. I'll put these two cases in my car, so certain people won't have to suffer the sight of them.”

“This is between Sophie Sutton and me.” Sebastian looked at her, the invitation to leave unmistakable.

I didn't spare him a glance. I brushed the dust from my hands.

“Let's go down together, Tess.”

We each pulled a suitcase to the entrance of the apartment complex.

It was an early-autumn evening, but the wind was bitterly cold.

After putting the cases in her trunk, Tessa hugged me.

“Don't be sad. You'll find someone who really treasures you.”

“Once you've sorted things out with Sebastian, stay with me for a few days. Then go to Paris.”

“Okay. Thank you, Tess. Drive safely.”

As her car left the gates, I let out a small cloud of breath.

Familiar footsteps sounded behind me.

Sebastian had followed me out wearing only a thin black shirt.

He approached and handed me a thick document envelope.

“What's this?” I asked.

“A lease for an apartment near Boulevard Saint-Germain, in the sixth arrondissement. Ten minutes on foot from your academy. Good security. I've signed for two years.”

“There's also a bank card. The PIN is your birthday. It covers your expenses in Paris, including your materials.”

I looked up from the envelope.

“What are you trying to say, Sebastian?”

If he said he cared, I thought, there might still be something left to save.

Everyone made mistakes. What mattered was changing afterward.

But after all that waiting, the only word he offered was:

“Compensation.”

His voice retained its maddening composure.

“Sophie, I'm not good at handling emotional issues. I'm sorry this relationship has been a negative experience for you.”

“But I don't believe a healthy relationship requires us to cling to each other all the time. I support you pursuing your career. This is a good development for us.”

The last light in my eyes went out.

“For us?” I asked with a bitter smile. “You think there's still going to be an us?”

He stiffened slightly.

I pushed the heavy envelope back against his chest.

“I don't need any of this. Take it back.”

I turned away without looking at his expression.

At my studio, Scent & Soul, I prepared to close the business and finish the last outstanding bespoke orders.

Perhaps I was too distracted. When I switched on the steam extraction equipment, the pressure-release valve wasn't fully secured.

A cloud of scalding steam burst out and burned my right wrist.

I gasped.

An angry red patch spread across my pale skin, and blisters rose almost immediately.

The pain was so fierce my vision darkened.

My assistant went white, fumbling for her phone to call Sebastian.

At Harbor General, he had just put on his sterile surgical gown and was holding his hands raised, ready to enter Operating Room One.

His phone vibrated urgently in his pocket.

The circulating nurse put it on speaker and held it near his ear.

“Dr. Hale! Sophie's badly burned her wrist with steam at the studio. She's in so much pain she's almost fainting...”

He interrupted before she finished.

“Calling 911 would be more useful than calling me.”

“Apply a cool saline compress first.”

The call ended after only a few words.

Back at the studio, I was already used to being neglected.

What compensation was Sebastian offering?

Nothing about the way he treated his girlfriend had changed.

I went to the hospital alone.

By the time my wrist had been treated, Xavier's flight confirmation had arrived on my phone.

[Boston to Paris. Logan Airport.]

I typed one-handed.

[Okay.]

When I left the message screen, there was still nothing new from Sebastian.

I switched off my phone.

I didn't send him anything either.