Chapter 7: A Life Without Alicia

By the time I reached the airport, my phone had already filled with missed calls.

Alicia had called eleven times.

I didn't answer a single one.

Then came the messages.

"Benjamin, where are you?"

"We need to talk."

"You misunderstood what happened."

"Come back. I'll explain everything."

I stared at the screen for a long moment before turning off my phone.

Three years ago, a single message from Alicia could make my entire day.

Now, even seeing her name made me feel tired.

I boarded the plane to Ricott City without looking back.

The moment the plane took off, I leaned against the window and watched the city disappear beneath the clouds.

For the first time, I felt like I was actually leaving my old life behind.

When I arrived in Ricott City, the night air was cold and unfamiliar.

I checked into a small apartment I had rented online before leaving.

It wasn't luxurious, but it was mine.

There was no Alicia.

No Starry Group.

No secret relationship.

No pretending that I was just another employee while secretly being the man she had dated for three years.

The next morning, I received an unexpected email.

It was from a technology company I had interviewed with months ago.

They had reviewed some of my previous software projects and wanted to offer me a senior development position.

The salary was nearly double what I had been earning at Starry Group.

I stared at the offer letter for several seconds.

Then I laughed.

All those years, Alicia had made me believe I was lucky just to have a place at her company.

Apparently, I had never needed her company at all.

I accepted the offer.

My new life began immediately.

Back in my old city, however, things were falling apart.

A friend sent me a screenshot from social media.

Chuck had deleted the post showing off the gaming setup.

Someone had apparently leaked rumors about his relationship with Alicia.

The comments were brutal.

People were questioning why the CEO of Starry Group had publicly presented another man as her boyfriend while supposedly having a long-term partner.

Then I saw Alicia's statement.

"Recent rumors concerning my private life are completely misleading. I hope everyone will respect my privacy."

I almost laughed.

Privacy.

That had always been her favorite excuse.

A few minutes later, another message arrived.

This time, it was from my former colleague.

"Benjamin, you should know something. Alicia has been asking everyone where you went."

I didn't respond.

Then another message appeared.

"She came to your old apartment yesterday. She stayed outside for almost an hour."

I stared at the screen before deleting the conversation.

Whatever Alicia wanted now had nothing to do with me.

That evening, I unpacked my computer and set up my new workstation.

For the first time in months, I felt genuinely excited about the future.

Then my phone rang from an unknown number.

I almost ignored it.

But something made me answer.

"Benjamin."

It was Alicia.

Her voice was quieter than I had ever heard it.

"I know you don't want to see me, but please listen to me once."

I remained silent.

"I made a mistake," she whispered.

"I know."

There was a long pause.

"It wasn't supposed to become like this."

I looked at the city lights outside my window.

"But it did."

She took a shaky breath.

"Do you really plan to disappear from my life completely?"

I answered without hesitation.

"Yes."

Silence filled the line.

Then Alicia asked the question I had once dreamed of hearing.

"What if I choose you now?"

I closed my eyes.

Three years ago, I would have given everything for those words.

Now, they meant nothing.

"You're too late, Alicia."

I ended the call.

For the first time, I didn't feel heartbroken.

I felt free.