Chapter 4 The Shift

POV: Liza

The office buzzed with emails, coffee breaks, and the sound of fingers tapping against keyboards. But Liza sat frozen in front of her screen.

The subject line stared back at her:

"CONFIRMATION: Executive Project Lead Opportunity in Singapore"

She had applied for the position months ago, almost as a joke-back when she still believed her life was already set in stone with Drew. She had since forgotten about it. But now, the offer was in front of her, real and urgent.

Six months abroad.

A higher salary.

A project under her name.

And a fresh start.

Her phone buzzed.

Drew: Babe, don't wait up. Last-minute pitch prep with the team.

She stared at the message. No "I love you." No call. Just routine lies wrapped in excuses.

Liza looked back at the email. She didn't delete it this time.

POV: Drew

He wasn't at a pitch meeting.

He was with Brie-again. They were at a rented Airbnb, his phone face-down, just in case.

"You're quiet today," Brie said, pulling the blanket tighter around her.

"I'm tired," he mumbled.

"Of me?" she asked, mock-pouting.

"No. Just... things are getting complicated."

Brie lit a cigarette, staring out the window. "Then stop pretending you're still that perfect fiancé. You're not. And deep down, you don't even want to be."

Drew didn't respond.

Because the silence agreed with her.

POV: Liza

That weekend, Liza attended a bridal gown fitting alone.

"Will your fiancé be joining you next time?" the consultant asked, fluffing the train of the ivory lace.

Liza smiled faintly. "He's busy. I don't mind."

She stared at herself in the mirror.

She looked like someone else. A woman playing a role she hadn't auditioned for.

Is this still the life I want?

Is this still the man I'm waiting for?

As she walked out of the boutique, she called her boss, Ms. Villanueva.

"I've reconsidered the offer," she said. "Can I still accept the Singapore project?"

There was a pause on the other end, then: "Yes. We'd be lucky to have you."

Liza's lips trembled-but she smiled.

The shift had begun.

POV: Drew

At dinner with his family, Drew stared blankly as his mother gushed about the wedding.

"Liza's a blessing," she said. "She's made you better."

Drew nodded. But his gut twisted.

When Liza arrived late from work, still in heels, still graceful, his mother hugged her warmly.

And Drew stared at the woman he was supposed to love.

Loyal. Kind. Faithful.

And for the first time... he felt undeserving.

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Liza whispered, "Do you still want to marry me?"

Drew blinked in the dark. "What?"

"You've been distant."

He turned to face her. "Of course I do. I love you."

She looked into his eyes and said nothing.

Because deep down, she knew:

He was already gone.

POV: Liza (The Next Morning)

She looked at her packed planner. Her checklist.

Confirm venue: ✔️

Final guest list: ✔️

Final gown fitting: ✔️

Accept Singapore project: (Secret) ✔️

Wedding date: June 15

Flight to Singapore: June 15

She ran her fingers over the dates. The same date.

Not a coincidence.

A decision.