Three Days to Goodbye Chapter 2

I was out the door early the next morning.

Sam was already waiting for me at the restaurant we’d chosen. I showed our reservation, and the waiter led us to a table by the window.

The moment we sat down, Sam grabbed my hand, his voice urgent. “What did you mean on the phone yesterday? About leaving?”

I paused, then told him everything. His face crumpled.

“Leo, does that mean I’ll never be able to find you again?”

I thought for a moment, then remembered the inter-dimensional communicators the System had given me as compensation. I handed one to Sam. I had selfishly asked the System for two, but I suppose the other one was no longer needed.

Just as I was lost in thought, a familiar voice cut through the air.

Valentina was standing there with Noah, her eyes narrowed at me. “Leo, what are you doing here?”

She looked around. “And in my reserved seat, no less.”

I blinked. Just then, the waiter hurried over, his face apologetic.

“My apologies, sir. It was our mistake. We seem to have mixed up Mr. Noah’s reservation with yours.”

Valentina faltered.

Noah spoke up, his voice gentle. “Valentina, I just wanted to have a nice meal with you. I didn’t realize it would bother Leo so much that he’d follow us here. Maybe I should just go.”

Valentina immediately wrapped an arm around him, shooting me a cold glare.

That’s when Sam’s voice cut in, sharp as ice.

“Valentina, Leo is leaving for good, and you’re still taking Noah’s side?”

Valentina barely glanced at me, her voice indifferent. “Sam, I know you’re Leo’s friend, but we both know where he comes from. Where could he possibly go?”

Sam’s chest heaved with anger. He opened his mouth. “Do you have any idea what he—”

Before he could finish, I grabbed his hand and shook my head.

Valentina’s inquisitive gaze landed on me. “He what?”

Noah chimed in, covering his mouth with a delicate hand. “Is Leo going to say he’s returning to his own timeline?”

A mocking smile played on his lips. “That’s a fairytale for children, isn’t it? If you have a problem with me, Leo, just say so. I’ll leave.”

With tears welling in his eyes, he turned as if to go, but Valentina grabbed him.

She pulled him into a fierce hug. “Noah, don’t be silly. As long as I’m here, this is your home. No one can make you leave.” She shot me a threatening look.

I had mentioned leaving countless times, and she had always dismissed it as a joke. But one flippant remark from Noah, and she was so distraught she would have torn her own heart out to prove her devotion.

A strange, desolate feeling washed over me.

My God, Leo. What a pathetic wreck you’ve become.