Gripping the cash tightly, I jumped on my bike and took off. I relied on my memory, stopping now and then to ask people for directions, and finally reached the train station just before ten o'clock. With Thanksgiving season in full swing, the station was bustling with people coming and going, and the line for tickets stretched long.

I joined the line that looked a bit shorter and waited patiently. It was close to noon, and the staff were about to take their lunch break when it was finally my turn. Unfortunately, by the time I reached the ticket booth, all the seated tickets to my destination were sold out.

Without hesitating, I handed over my money and bought an earlier standing ticket instead. After securing the ticket, I carefully put it away and headed back, pedaling quickly through the streets.

Upon returning home, I half-expected to find Kolton and Bailee in the middle of a heated argument, emotions running high between them. To my surprise, Kolton was alone in the living room, and his bedroom door was wide open, almost as though he had left it that way intentionally.

As soon as Kolton saw me, he opened his mouth, maybe intending to say something, but I brushed past him and headed to the kitchen. A gnawing hunger had crept up on me, and it seemed like the perfect time to fix myself some lunch.

At lunch, I noticed Kolton seemed like he wanted to say something, but since I stayed silent, he remained quiet as well.

Eventually, unable to hold back, he looked up at me. "Layla, about earlier..."

I continued picking at my food and replied coolly, "Let's not talk while we're eating."

Kolton hesitated and swallowed his words.

I felt a sense of satisfaction inside.

When we were together, I was usually the one doing most of the talking, chatting away endlessly. But often, when I deliberately shifted the conversation, he'd respond vaguely, give little response, or just say, "Let's not talk while we're eating."

Back then, I felt embarrassed, thinking I was lacking in social graces.

Only later did I realize the truth—it wasn't about manners. When you're with the wrong person, no matter what you say, it's just ignored.