Chapter 3
“No need for that. You’re working in LA now, so let’s set up the studio there. I’m about to get divorced, so just give me some time to handle things here and I’ll come find you.”
Eliana’s voice was calm as she mentioned the divorce, Darcy seemed shocked and went quiet for a long moment.
Out of politeness, Darcy didn’t pry and agreed to her plan.
After hanging up, Eliana ordered tons of fashion books and magazines, then dug out her old design school materials.
She didn’t go to the hospital or contact Milo. Instead, she stayed home studying, trying to brush up on her rusty skills.
Once she threw herself into the work, she slowly found her old self again.
The version of herself who wouldn’t get trapped by romance, who lived and breathed fashion, who dreamed of becoming a world–class designer.
Days passed, and on their wedding anniversary, Milo came home.
Seeing the sketches scattered all over the table, he looked at her with surprise.
“You’ve been home designing this whole time?”
Eliana’s pen paused for a moment. She nodded calmly.
“I’m planning to get back into fashion design. I need to find my groove again, so I haven’t had time to take care of you.”
Hearing her explanation, something flickered in Milo’s eyes.
Before, when he’d gotten slightly injured from turbulence during a flight, Eliana had camped out in his hospital room for three straight days after hearing the news, crying until her eyes were puffy.
This time he was hurt way worse, but she hadn’t even asked about it or seemed to care.
Milo found it weird, but he’d never been one to interfere with her life, so he didn’t push it.
“That’s great. Go chase your dreams. Your dad would be so proud to know you’re getting back into design.”
“You’d support any decision I make? Even… divorce?”
The words slipped out before she could stop them, but Milo’s phone buzzed at that exact moment.
He answered and headed into his study, apparently not catching what she’d said.
Before the door closed, she heard Harper’s voice faintly through the phone. Eliana smiled bitterly to herself.
She let out a breath and dove back into her designs, completely losing track of time.
That evening, Milo came out of his study and casually said, “I made dinner reservations. Wanna grab some food?”
After sitting all day, Eliana was actually pretty hungry, so she agreed.
After dropping her off near the restaurant, Milo went to find parking.
When he came back, he had a designer box in one hand and a bouquet of pink roses in the other.
He walked up to her and handed her the flowers. For a moment, Eliana was completely stunned.
In three years of marriage, this was the first time he’d given her flowers. Her emotions were all over the place.
She wanted to ask why he was suddenly giving her roses, what was in the box, if they were celebrating their anniversary.
The words were right there when she spotted a familiar figure.
15:18
Sorry Captain Milo, Our Love Score Has Hit Zero
1.2%
Chapter 3
Harper was standing outside Lumiere, a trendy now french bistro, beaming as she walked toward them.
“Milo, over here! What took you so long? You must be his wife. It there! I’m Harper Lennox, an old friend of Milo’s”
She greeted them like it was the most natural thing in the world, even extending her hand.
Eliana’s expression froze for a few seconds before she recovered. She reached out
“Hi, I’m Eliana.”
After the introductions, Milo handed over the gift box with a casual expression.
to
shake Harper’s hand.
“It’s Lumière’s opening night. Couldn’t show up empty handed. Brought you a little something and some flowers–that’s why I’m running late.”
Hearing his words, Eliana looked down at the gorgeous pink roses in her hands.
So the gift and flowers were both for Harper?
Eliana’s chest felt like it was caving in as bitterness flooded through her.
With shaking hands, she passed the flowers over, trying to act like everything was fine.
Harper took the gift and opened the box. When she saw the Hermès bag inside, her face lit up.
“Oh my God, how did you know I’ve been trying to get my hands on this bag? There are only ten of these worldwide! You really shouldn’t have spent this much. And these flowers are absolutely beautiful. I can’t believe after all these years, you still remember I only like the pink roses from that little shop on the Upper East Side.”
Milo shrugged it off, saying he’d just grabbed the bag randomly and the flowers were convenient.
But Eliana knew better. There were no coincidences like that in real life.
Everything had been carefully planned by him.
And his suggestion to take her out to dinner? Just an excuse to see Harper.
From start to finish, Eliana had been nothing more than a cover story.
