From Sweethearts to Strangers: A Tale of Broken Promises novel Chapter 5

That day, I grabbed all my personal stuff from his place and left.

I handed the work over to Mr. Anderson on time.

When my mom found out I had a fever, she called to check on me.

"Emily, I can't make it back right now, and Mrs. Thompson is out of town too."

"Ask Lucas to take care of you. His mom taught him how to cook."

"It's a good chance for you to try his cooking."

Her kind words hit a nerve.

Tears streamed down my face.

"Mom, he'll be cooking for someone else now."

"I don't want his food anymore."

Hearing me cry, my mom panicked.

"What's wrong, sweetie? Did he upset you?"

"Your aunt mentioned you two haven't been going to work together lately."

"Did he do something to hurt you?"

I couldn't stop crying.

"Mom, after this project, there's a chance for me to transfer to the headquarters."

"It's in Chicago, where you are."

"I'm coming to you."

My mom's been building her career in Chicago, the economic hub."

"The headquarters is based there, and moving would be a huge boost for my career.

But it's far from here.

I used to stay close because of Lucas, never even considering a transfer.

Now…

There's nothing left tying me here.

I went back to work as usual.

Just without waiting for Lucas anymore.

Mr. Anderson pulled me aside.

"Finally decided to focus on your career, huh?"

I nodded.

"I'm working on my future, but what do you mean?"

He pointed to the couple in the corner.

While everyone else was grinding away on the same project, those two were in their own world.

Holding hands, pinching cheeks.

Surrounded by heart-eyed emojis.

I couldn't even look. "He's practically my criminal record now."

Mr. Anderson nodded, looking pleased.

During our chat, a group of women stormed in.

They were carrying bats and shouting.