The Underboss Voted No So I Chose A New Life Chapter 05
I didn’t look back.
When the plane took off, I put my phone on airplane mode.
The last message from Hadrian said: *Text me when you get home. There’s milk in the fridge. Don’t go to bed on an empty stomach.*
He was still worried about whether I’d eaten.
And he was still absolutely certain I was just going home to wait for him.
I landed in Austin at one in the morning.
My editor-in-chief had arranged temporary housing for me and left the key at the front desk.
After I showered, I opened my laptop and submitted the cancellations for the wedding venue, the planner’s contract, and the lease termination for our apartment.
Then I emailed the Bellini family adviser to inform him I would not be attending the marriage acknowledgment dinner.
I had never sworn an oath before them, and I had never been entered into any formal protection record. This was not a request. They had no right to stop me from leaving.
The last thing left was the city hall marriage registration appointment.
When the cancellation went through, the page went blank.
I sent Hadrian one last text.
*Enjoy the trip. We’re done.*
After that, I turned off my phone.
At six-thirty the next morning, Hadrian was in line at the bus station, waiting to board.
In his hand was the medicine kit I’d packed for him. The medication was sorted into morning and evening doses, with instructions taped to the outside.
When Chloe saw it, she smiled. “She talks tough, but she still got this ready for you.”
Leo chimed in, too. “I knew Mireille couldn’t stay mad at Hadrian. What she said last night was just her being angry.”
Hadrian took out his phone. When he saw my message, he stopped walking for a beat.
Emily urged him from behind. “Hadrian, hurry up, the bus is leaving.”
He stared at the words *We’re done* for a few seconds, then replied.
*Got it. We’ll talk when I’m back.*
Then he put his phone away and boarded the bus.