The Goodbye He Never Saw Coming

WINTERI pack my bags like I’m going to paradise, which, technically, I am. Thirty days of sun, wine, and couple-friendly activities at the Golden Retreat. I’m already picturing paddle-boarding, moonlit dinners, and maybe one of those couple spa sessions where they scrub your sins away.I step out of the house, glowing like a pre-honeymoon goddess in a sundress and lip gloss, only to find Mike at the car, zipping up the trunk with military precision and a face like I just told him I swallowed his promotion.He frowns. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”I blink. “Um… packing? Dressing up? Getting ready to go to the annual Golden Retreat? The one your company Valcour International is hosting? The one themed around love and romance and bring-your-significant-other-or-you’ll-regret-it-for-life?”He sighs, long and deep, like I’m a toddler asking for cake before dinner. “Winter, are you seriously leaving your three jobs to go have fun for thirty days? That’s irresponsible. What if

WINTERI hit the road like I’m on a mission from the universe...just me, my dusty Audi, and a playlist full of songs I’m too stressed to sing along to. She—yes, I’ve named the car “she”—isn’t moving as fast as I’d like, but we’re moving. That’s what matters.An hour in, I feel confident.Three hours in, I feel hungry.By the fifth hour, I’ve officially learned a valuable life lesson:Never trust anyone who says Google Maps never lie.I’ve taken two gas stops, one emergency tyre fix...shoutout to my crusty old spare...and at least one snack break that turned into a minor existential crisis.Seven hours on the road, and just when I think we’re almost there… she gives up on me.The car coughs once and then dies.I try everything: pep talk, dashboard tapping, twisting random wires like I know what I’m doing. She doesn’t budge.“You traitor,” I mutter. “This is what I get for defending you.”But just as I’m about to panic, I look ahead...and there it is.Paradise Resort.In all its gloriou

WINTER“Babe,” I say the second Blair stops cackling about my feelings for Mike. “I need a favor.”She goes silent... which is never a good sign.“Let me guess,” she says slowly. “You want me to buy you a room in the resort’s presidential suite and sneak you spa coupons?”“Better,” I grin. “I need you to help me tow my car back to my house.”Her groan is so loud I have to hold the phone away from my ear.“Winter! You drove that haunted Audi all the way into another world and now you want me to tow it back? Do I look like a roadside mechanic? Am I your sugar daddy?”“You’re my best friend. Which means you're all of the above.”“Ugh! The things I do for friendship,” she huffs. “Send me the location. I’ll sort it out after work.”“Thank you!” I blow her a dramatic kiss. “I’ll name my first child after you. Even if it’s a boy.”“Girl, just promise the car won’t explode when I touch it.”“Can’t make promises I can’t keep.”We laugh, exchange some ridiculous threats of emotional blackmail,

NATH My driver slows the car near the gate of Paradise Resort, glancing at me through the mirror. “Sir, we’ll be arriving shortly.” I nod. “Stop here.” Kyle, my assistant, shoots me a confused look from the seat beside me in the back. Up front, Ace, my longtime bodyguard and best friend, twists around too. “What’s going on, sir?” Kyle asks. I smile, just a little. “I’m walking the rest of the way.” They stare at me like I’ve just grown a tail. Look, I hate this kind of thing. Tropical retreats. Flimsy themed events. Coworkers pretending to like each other over cocktails and spa treatments. It’s all so… performative. I prefer boardrooms, hard numbers, and silent dominance. Not sunset yoga and beachside karaoke. But I just became chairman. My first act isn’t going to be hiding in some fancy suite while my employees lie through their teeth about corporate loyalty. I want to see everything... the lazy ones, the gossipers, the sycophants. Up close. Unfiltered. “I’m blending in,”

NATH I stand by the door for a beat, staring at the wall, trying to process what just happened. And then the ridiculous thought hits me...Wait… I’m supposed to be her fiancé. Why am I also freaking out? I pace, running a hand over my face, replaying that split-second image of wet skin, water glistening over curves I shouldn’t be noticing. When the door finally opens, she steps out, fully dressed and glaring like she’s ready to stab me with the hairdryer. Her foot slips. I don’t think...I just move. My arms go around her, steadying her before she hits the floor. She freezes in my hold, her wide eyes darting up to mine… then dropping to my bare chest. For a moment, I swear she’s staring at my abs longer than necessary. I let her go. “Why did you scream?” She narrows her eyes. “Why did you open the door while I was bathing?” A slow smile tugs at my lips. “Come on, I’m your fiancé. Isn’t that normal? We've been living together for years before we came here. Not a big deal, right?