Year Five: The Perfect Goodbye Plan novel Chapter 81

Vianne cradled a bowl of freshly made pumpkin soup, hoping it might soothe Shipley’s mood. But as she stepped into the bedroom, all she found was a neatly packed suitcase.

Puzzled, she asked, “Shipley, what’s going on?”

Shipley turned, glancing at her with an unreadable expression in his eyes. “I bought a ticket. I’m flying to Capital City.”

He grabbed the suitcase, clearly intending to brush past her and leave.

The comforting warmth of the pumpkin soup in Vianne’s hands did nothing to thaw the chill settling in her heart.

She noticed the wastebasket by the bed—where earlier, a crumpled ball of paper had been thrown away—was now empty.

Shipley must have picked it back up.

She could have sworn she’d already succeeded in cheering him up. So what had changed?

Suddenly anxious, she set the bowl down and caught Shipley by the hand, weaving her fingers tightly through his. Her voice was soft. “Shipley, why do you have to go to Capital City right now? Does it really have to be tonight?”

He spoke quietly, tossing out the words almost carelessly. “Sweet Silvia’s engagement party is tomorrow.” By the end, his voice dropped, and the thin smile on his lips looked almost bitter.

If he didn’t go, who knew what kind of “surprise” Sweet Silvia might have in store for him?

Vianne hadn’t expected Silvia to get engaged so soon. She opened her mouth to offer comfort, but the words caught in her throat. She knew anything she said would only make things worse—might even make Shipley resent her.

Instead, she smiled and squeezed his hand. “Then let me come with you. I’d worry if you went alone.”

A bit of the tenderness returned to Shipley’s gaze. “Alright,” he said.

That night, they boarded a flight together to Capital City.

***

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify