I kept my gaze steady, focused straight ahead, brushing his hand off my arm with a cold detachment. “I don’t need to be informed about your work, Darrel, nor do you need to know my plans. I came when I felt like it.”
Relief washed over his face, as if he’d dodged a bullet. “Alright, well, it’s not far anyway. But, please, be careful. Next time, just let me know and I’ll drive you over.”
He lingered there awkwardly, blocking my path, while the tension simmered in the air between us. Natalie glanced nervously at him, then back at me. Seemingly desperate to break the silence, she bounced forward, making a show of trying to take the bags from Darrel’s hands, but he stepped aside, dodging her.
“I’ll carry these up for you,” he told her gently, smiling down at her. “You don’t need to strain yourself. Let me take care of it.”
The elevator finally arrived and Darrel piled in all their bags and boxes. Despite the space, I didn’t want to share that cramped elevator with them.
As the doors slid shut, my reflection in the mirrored walls of the elevator caught my eye. It was strange—there was an echo of another memory, another time. When I had first moved out of our family home, Darrel had been there, meticulously helping me pack and move each little box. He hadn’t let me lift a finger, taking care of everything for me, down to the smallest detail.
Stephanie’s sigh snapped me out of my thoughts. She looked at me with concern. “Maybe... they’re not what you think, Fionna. Maybe it’s all just work-related and there’s nothing personal going on. Do you want me to ask him? It might put your mind at ease if there’s nothing to worry about.”
I held my ground, my voice cold and unyielding. “I don’t want to waste another second on this ridiculous relationship. It’s over.”
Outside, the sky was a dreary shade of gray and raindrops pattered steadily against the pavement. I pulled my jacket closer, bracing myself against the chill as I left. I paused by the curb, debating whether to call Darrel, but against my better judgment, I dialed his number.
A soft, high-pitched voice answered on the second ring.
“Oh, hello! You must be Mrs. Darrel,” she said in a voice dripping with false sweetness. “Mr Darrel just finished helping me unpack and he’s a bit tired—he’s taking a bath right now. But if there’s anything you need to pass along, I’d be happy to help!”