That night, Lucas waited.

For Irene. Or her call.

He thought, If she calls again, I’ll answer. Be decent about it.

Even if she cried and screamed, he’d endure it.

But nothing came.

The feeling was like a kite string snapping, leaving a hollow dread.

"Lucas, I’m beat. Gotta sleep." Zach could barely keep his eyes open.

He’d been drinking with Lucas all night, feeling the latter’s focus drift as the hours wore on.

Mia called, her voice sweet with concern.

"Lucas, still up? I miss you. Can I come over?"

Lucas swirled his drink.

"Zach and Jason are here. My last bachelor bash. Be a good girl, get some sleep."

Mia wheedled a bit more before hanging up, sounding disappointed.

Zach leaned over to Jason.

"What’s up with Lucas? Bachelor party after you’re engaged? First I’ve heard of it."

Jason spun his glass, sighing deeply.

"Bachelor party? He’s waiting. Isn’t it obvious?"

By now, Irene should have stormed in.

Her absence felt ominous.

"Should I call Irene? Find out where she is?" Jason offered.

Lucas walked to the window. "Whatever."

Jason called the police office first. Irene had left hours ago.

Her phone was unreachable.

Lucas tried next, realizing he was blocked. So were Jason and Zach.

"Lucas, looks like Irene’s really pissed this time," Zach ventured.

"Will Irene be serious with you this time? You make her to go to the police station, got engaged to someone else... it’s harsh, man,"

Jason finally voiced what he’d been thinking all night.

Jason and Zach called Irene’s friends. No one knew where she was.

The usually mild-mannered Lucas lost it.

He kicked over the coffee table, smashed a bottle.

Glass flew everywhere.

He’d never imagined Irene would leave.

She’d been like his shadow, trailing him, clinging to him.

They’d been together so long, their families intertwined.

As for Mia... the more Irene targeted her, the more fiercely he’d protected her.

Protectiveness that had twisted into something murky, hard to define.

Eyes bloodshot, Lucas muttered,

"She’s jealous. Playing hard to get. She’ll calm down and come back. She has to."

Before Mia, she’d caused scenes too.

A little patience, a little coaxing, and she’d forgive him, love him even more intensely.

He didn’t know.

Irene wasn’t running away to punish him. She was truly done with him.