Beneath the Perfect Disguise, I Quietly Slipped Away Chapter 1

After we got back together, I became the perfect girlfriend Connor had always wanted.

I stopped blowing up his phone. I stopped getting jealous. I stopped making scenes.

Yesterday, I even found another woman’s lipstick in his car. instead of screaming, I thoughtfully put it away for him.

But Connor slammed on the brakes so hard I almost hit the dashboard.

...

Connor Pierce looked like he stepped right off the cover of Forbes—chiseled jawline, steel-gray eyes, and that terrifying Wall Street aura that made interns tremble.

But right now? He was rubbing his temples like he had the world’s worst migraine.

"That lipstick belongs to Madison," he said.

"I had a late business dinner last night. She stepped in to drink for me and got too wasted to drive, so I dropped her off."

He looked at me and started doing something he usually considered beneath him—explaining himself.

"Her dad is my father's business partner. He watched me grow up. I only look out for her to give Robert some face. That’s it."

"There was nothing in the past, nothing now, and there will absolutely be nothing in the future."

I remained silent.

For the first time, a crack appeared on his perpetually composed face.

It revealed a trace of helplessness I had never seen before.

"Aurora, what do I have to do to make you believe me?"

I spoke calmly. "I believe you. And I'm not angry."

It was like punching cotton—no impact, no resistance.

Connor’s expression went blank. "...Then why haven't you said a single word the whole ride?"

I glanced at my watch, calculating the time it would take to get to the airport, and gave him a perfunctory answer. "You said before that you didn't want to hear my nonsense."

"We're running late. Why don't you just drop me off at this intersection?"

I stared at the traffic, completely ignoring how dark Connor's face had turned.

"You always get off at the next traffic light," his voice dropped low.

"It's still two miles to the company."

I didn't expect him to notice such a small detail.

I was forced to meet his scrutinizing gaze.

"You're not going to the office this early. Where are you going?"

The suspicion in Connor’s eyes deepened—

Ding!

A ringtone cut through the air.

It was a custom ringtone. Madison’s.

Connor’s sharp gaze instantly snapped back. His eyes darted away, guilty despite his earlier claims.

"Work call. I have to take this."

He unlocked the car doors with lightning speed. "You can get out now."

I nodded and quickly unbuckled my seatbelt.

"Hey."

He stopped me.

"Take it easy. Be safe."

The voice behind me softened, taking on a tone used for coaxing a child.

"That restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to? I booked a table."

"I promised I wouldn't miss another anniversary."

"Happy seventh anniversary."

"Rory, tonight at six."

My hand froze on the door handle.

On our last anniversary, he stood me up for Madison.

It felt like dying back then. Now, remembering it, I felt absolutely nothing.

"Answer the phone," I opened my mouth and whispered. "Don't keep people waiting."

After all, Madison couldn't wait.

And neither could my flight.

As for the anniversary—

This year, next year, and every year after this, I will be absent.