Chapter 6: Maybe We Should Break Up

My mind felt completely tangled.

The moment I heard the word breakup, I instinctively avoided Elias's gaze. I turned and ran back to the bedroom.

For some reason, I suddenly remembered the scratches on the back of Elias's hand when he washed my underwear earlier.

A few tiny marks. They looked like they had been left by a cat.

We had used up all the bandages at home last time.

After thinking about it, I decided to go buy some. At the same time, I needed space to calm down.

I grabbed my wallet and quietly slipped out of the villa.

The evening breeze was cool against my face, but it did nothing to clear the mess inside my head.

The floating comments appeared again.

[The side character is finally giving up.]

[Good. The breakup is happening earlier than I expected.]

[Now the male lead can finally be with the female lead.]

[Honestly, she should move out tonight.]

I lowered my head and forced myself not to read anymore.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe everything I had done until now had only made Elias miserable.

The pharmacy was only a few blocks away.

After paying for the bandages, I wandered aimlessly through the nearby streets.

I opened my phone and searched for rental apartments.

Small studio apartments.

Single-bedroom units.

Anywhere would do.

If Elias really wanted to break up, I should leave before making things more awkward.

Just then, my phone vibrated.

Elias.

I stared at his name until the call stopped.

A second later, another call came in.

I answered after a long hesitation.

"Where are you?"

His voice sounded colder than usual.

"Outside."

"Where outside?"

"Just... buying something."

"Send me your location."

"No need."

"Nancy."

His tone became unusually firm.

"Send it."

For some reason, my fingers trembled.

I shared my location anyway.

Less than ten minutes later, a familiar black sedan stopped beside the sidewalk.

Elias stepped out.

His shirt sleeves were still rolled up exactly the way they had been in the laundry room.

It looked as though he had rushed out without changing.

He walked straight toward me.

"Why did you leave without saying anything?"

"I only came to buy bandages," I answered quietly, lifting the small paper bag.

His eyes landed on it.

"Bandages?"

"Your hand..."

I looked down.

"It was scratched."

Elias froze.

For several seconds, neither of us spoke.

He slowly took the bag from my hands.

"You went out this late... because of this?"

I nodded awkwardly.

"It looked like it hurt."

The corners of his lips tightened slightly.

His expression became strangely complicated.

"Nancy."

"Hmm?"

"Those scratches weren't from a cat."

"What?"

"The zipper on the laundry basket caught my hand."

I blinked.

The comments had clearly said they were cat scratches.

Then...

Had they been wrong?

Before I could think further, another barrage of comments floated across my vision.

[The male lead is obviously lying.]

[He doesn't want the side character to know he met the female lead.]

[Don't believe him.]

[He's just feeling guilty.]

I bit my lip.

Maybe...

Maybe the comments knew better than I did.

Elias noticed my silence.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying again."

I forced a smile.

"I'm just tired."

He looked at me for a long time before quietly opening the passenger door.

"Get in."

"I'll take you home."

"Home..."

I repeated the word softly.

Would that place still be my home after tonight?

I sat in the passenger seat without another word.

Neither of us spoke during the drive.

The silence between us felt heavier than ever.

When we reached the villa, I waited until Elias went upstairs.

Then I quietly returned to the guest room.

I opened the rental website again.

After staring at the listings for several minutes, I finally clicked one.

Schedule Viewing.

Tomorrow afternoon.

"If we're going to break up..."

I whispered to myself.

"Then I should leave before he has to ask a second time."

Outside the guest room, footsteps stopped at the closed door.

Elias stood there silently for a long time.

His hand slowly lifted toward the doorknob...

Then stopped in midair.