note: well, I was feeling impatient to post this chapter so here it is. Double update weekend whooo! Enjoy and please don't hesitate to comment your thoughts/feedback <3 

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The two vacation days that Andrew had taken off from work flew by in the blink of an eye and he was still as stuck as when he first came to Ipswich on Saturday.

It was relieving to be able to pick and drop Aurora to and from school, to talk to a few of her teachers and see how his little girl was settling in. He enjoyed their time together and he savoured it because he'd have to go back to Porte Orlands soon. He wished she was small enough for him to fit her in his pocket and steal her away. There shouldn't be a problem with Aurora living with Andrew for a few days, going back and forth between mother and father, but Andrew could never do that. Aurora had school, had a life to build, and as a man of routine he struggled to grasp how constant change would be effective to his daughter's growth and wellbeing.

Tuesday night, when he should have been well on his way back to Porte Orlands, he sat on the couch in Talia's and Simon's living room, phone in hand as he considered what he should do. The rational part of him told him to go back to Porte Orlands, to get ready for work tomorrow, buy flowers for London and try to make it up to her with dinner. The other side of him told him to follow his heart, to stay here and make at least some progress with Talia. At this point, the end result didn't matter — the progress did.

He played with the phone in his hand until he came to a decision. Before he could second guess it, he unlocked his phone and called London. After their fight on Sunday morning, Andrew texted London only to receive a terse reply. When he called her, she declined the call. He had called her on Monday as well but again she didn't pick up. Before he could wonder if she'll even pick up this time around, she answered the call.

"Andrew!" she exclaimed, her voice airy. "I was just thinking about you."

"You were?" he quizzed. After the way they left things on Sunday morning, he didn't think she thought much of him, especially when she barely texted back and didn't bother to answer his calls.

She giggled. "It's hard not to think of you, Andrew Cai." There was a rattle in the background. "Oops, nearly tipped my glass. Work was exhausting and thinking about you was exhausting. I needed to relax so that's what I'm doing with a glass of wine. I'm so glad you called."

Andrew exhaled loudly, leaning back on the couch. Thinking about him was exhausting? What did she mean? "Really?" he asked instead. "You didn't want to pick up my calls before but now you're glad I called?"

"I miss you but you'll never put me first and I was angry about that," she said, her voice still airy and light.

"Are you drunk?" he asked, sitting up straight, now more concerned.

"Not exactly. Just a little tipsy. I haven't had much to drink," she laughed him off.

"You're a lightweight, London," he stated, running a hand down his face. She was drinking because of him and he suspected she had more than just the odd one glass.

"I can handle myself," she replied, the light and airiness to her voice gone, replaced by something more hostile and defensive.

He knew she could handle herself but the fact that he contributed somehow in her picking up more than just one glass of wine tonight left him worried. Her words finally clicked into his head and eyebrows furrowed, confusion evident, he asked, "You're angry that I'll never put you first?"

She laughed from the other side of the line but it didn't sound happy at all. "You'll never put me first." Her tone was bitter — betrayed.

"London," was all he could say. Where was this all coming from? Were they just not getting on perfectly fine? What had changed? 

What changed? Aurora moving, a voice sniped in his head. 

"I believe that is my name," she said, "but, of course, you know that."

"What do you mean I'll never put you first?" he quizzed, unable to shake off the feeling that this question was about to bring in more complications for him.

"It means what it means. You'll never put me first. Aurora, and your irreparable relationship with Talia is your priority. I understand why your daughter comes first but your ex-wife is what I don't understand. I hate that you still wear the ring. I hate that we don't talk about it. Do you even want to talk about it?"

"London..." he trailed off. The way she was talking made him realise that she'd been dwelling on this for some time now and while they were always transparent with each other, the one thing that never made it into their conversations was why he was still attached to that ugly gold wedding band ring, why he still couldn't quite bring himself to part with it.

"Yes, yes, London. That's my name. That's all you can say," she said and he could almost imagine her rolling her eyes and sitting back on the couch, staring blankly at whatever was playing on the television.

He looked down at his hands, at the worn-out ring on his finger. His heart was heavy. "I think this is a conversation we need to have in person."

"I agree," she said, like it was the first time he was making any sense. "What time do you think you'll make it home? I'll try to stay awake for you but if I do fall asleep we could just talk after work tomorrow."

"London..."

"Seriously. It's like my name is the only word you know," she snapped.

He sighed, uneasiness filling him. "I won't be coming home today," he finally said, delivering the news he intended to. The start of the conversation was still fresh as ever in his mind — given that it did only happen approximately five minutes ago — and it unsettled him. She made her points but Andrew hadn't ever thought it like that. Was she right? He needed more than just a moment to think on it and come to his own conclusions.

"When will you be home?"

He hesitated.

"What?" she scoffed. "Are you planning on moving your whole life to Ipswich?"

Of course, he didn't. Obviously, the thought did cross his mind. With his child in the same city as he was, it would be easier to navigate through life but he couldn't drop all his responsibilities. He was hell-bent to make this work, between him and his daughter, between him and Talia, and between him and London.

But no one had everything they want in life, did they?

"What if I was?" he found himself saying, the question slipping off his tongue before he could take the reigns over his curiosity.

The other end of the line grew quiet. He heard her breathing and knew she was still on the line. Should he say something? Perhaps he should backtrack and tell her to forget about it but the question had already been uttered and his well of curiosity had been opened. He wanted an answer.

"Are you asking what would happen to us if you followed after your ex-wife and moved to Ipswich?" London finally spoke up.

He didn't like the way she phrased it but it was technically not wrong. "Yes."

"I wouldn't follow you," she told him. Her tone wasn't airy and light, nor was it hostile and defensive. She sounded defeated, all out of energy. And sad. He regretted asking it but even if he wanted to tell London that there was nothing to worry about she was already speaking, cutting him to the chase.

"My life isn't in Ipswich and you've been the best boyfriend I could ever ask for but I'm not about to move for some man. You know I wouldn't. I have a life here. I have a job that I value very much. You know I wouldn't give up everything just so we could be together. I might want to but I won't," she said into the phone. He wished he was by her side now, to read her expression, to know how she was truly feeling because there was only so much he could actually decipher over a phone call.

"Why did you ask when you already knew the answer?"

He shrugged, then remembering that they were on call, he replied, "I don't know. I guess I just wanted to hear it."

"Oh." There was an awkwardness in her voice, an uncertainty. "But do I have to even worry about that? Your life is here in Porte Orlands."

"It is," he confirmed.

Silence, once again, decided to be their companion for a few more seconds. Almost a minute later, London broke it, asking, "So, when will you be back?"

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I, uh, am thinking of using a few more of my vacation days and spending it here. I'll call my boss tomorrow morning," he said, his words filled with slight trepidation. The last time he told her about calling in two of his vacation days she wasn't happy about it and he doubted her stance changed since Sunday morning.

"What for? To work things out with Talia?" her voice was icy, back to hostile.

"London, this is important for me and I—"

"And me? Am I important for you?"

"Of course you are, but—"

"I don't trust anything that comes before but," she argued stubbornly.

Now Andrew was beyond frustrated. "London—"

"I've had enough of this bullshit. Goodnight."

She hung up abruptly and he lowered his phone, looking down at it with partial surprise and partial tiredness. Arguments with Talia were enough to fill up a lifetime. He didn't need more arguments, especially with his girlfriend, but now, sitting in his own silence, her words echoed in his head.

You'll never put me first.

Before they started dating, London had her reservations and doubts. She'd clearly told him that she wanted dedication, simpleness and getting involved with a man fresh out of a marriage was guaranteed to be the opposite. Perhaps it was fate that brought them back together, that made them to keep bumping into each other. Maybe that was why she gave them a shot. Whatever the reason was, Andrew had been glad.

He liked London. He loved her laugh, her smile, her dedication to cooking, her empathy. He loved how smart she was, how brave she was. He loved that he was right by her side to see her confidence growing. The list was endless.

One thing was for certain — he'd never felt like this before. No one had gotten his heart racing this way. No one had gotten him to feel this way. Not even Talia. And yet, Andrew could not bring himself to admit that he loved London Wan Liang. He knew it, he felt it, and yet he couldn't admit it to himself. It felt as if admitting it would curse what they already had. He told Talia he loved her and though things between them were vastly different from things between him and London, he and Talia ended in a disaster. He never wished that upon him and London.

"Trouble in paradise?" came a voice.

Simon stood at the entrance to the living room, his large frame filling the space. Andrew half expected the words to be accompanied by a sneer or a somewhat victorious looking face but it looked like Talia hadn't rubbed off on Simon, for there he stood, concern and worry actually lining those handsome features of his.

Andrew scooted on the couch when Simon came to sit next to him. They'd seen each other for the last four days yet neither of them had actually talked to the other except for a passing word or two. Andrew was no longer angry at Simon though he couldn't fully bring himself to forgive Simon. Getting with his ex-wife behind his back was too gutting, especially when he trusted Simon to be his confidant.

"So," Simon started, clasping his hands together over his knees, "what do you plan to do with the house?"

"My house you mean?"

Simon chuckled. "Yes, your house. I offered to buy it but we've moved so I was wondering if you're going to take it back."

"I could," Andrew nodded. "But I don't think I will. There were a lot of memories attached to it. Good and bad ones. It was the house Aurora grew up in, spent the first seven years of her life in, but moving into it doesn't seem right."

Simon nodded, like he understood. "It's probably weird that I lived in it."

Andrew looked at him. "Exactly." Then looking away, he asked, "Did you really want to move away from Porte Orlands or did Talia drag you? She can be... influential."

Simon raised an eyebrow, drawing Andrew's attention back to his former friend. "Influential?"

Andrew shrugged. "You know what I mean."

Simon looked deep in thought like he was mulling over his next words, choosing them precisely. "Talia hasn't been happy for a very long time, Andrew. She's been looking for a fresh start—"

"You weren't fresh of a start for her?" Andrew piped in, unable to hold back the jab.

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Simon said back evenly. "I know people in Ipswich. I didn't grow up here but I did spend a lot of time here with my mum. She lives here, you know that."

Andrew felt guilty for what he said but he wasn't about to apologise, not when Simon had a lot of making up to do still. "Yeah, speaking of — how is she?"

"She's doing well. Healthy. She asked about you. She and Greg adopted a new puppy recently," Simon replied, his shoulder more relaxed. Andrew could tell that Simon appreciated this small talk.

"She's still seeing Greg?"

"Actually they got married two weeks ago. I would have told you but..."

"We're not exactly on the best of terms," Andrew finished for him.

"They said it was a spur of the moment thing so there wasn't an actual ceremony. Mum did tell me she's planning a party soon to celebrate. You should definitely come. She'd love to see you," Simon said with a goofy smile on his lips.

Andrew laughed. "With my ex-wife who is currently your fiance and my kid who is soon to be your step-daughter?"

Simon's smile grew wider. "Drama follows you wherever you go."

"More like it follows Talia everywhere she goes."

Simon chuckled. "It's hard to defend my fiance when you speak the truth."

Andrew laughed back, feeling slightly nostalgic with how easily the conversation was flowing back between the two friends who had once upon a time been like brothers.

"I do love her, Andrew," Simon said seriously, the lightness in the atmosphere pulling back. "I love her drama and everything. I know you're mad at me still. I know what I did was questionable. Seeing a woman behind my friend's back? I know that's betrayal. I'm sorry that I destroyed the trust we had. There were so many times I was tempted to tell Talia, all that you confided in me but I didn't because it wasn't my place—"

Andrew scoffed, leaning back on the couch. "That doesn't make you any less of a shitty friend, Allerton."

"I know it doesn't but I wanted you to know that I would never betray you like that—"

"You betrayed me by sleeping with my ex behind my back while I was still married to her. Married, Simon!" Andrew exclaimed. None of Simon's excuses was sufficient enough to defend what he'd done. "I trusted you. And what did you do? You took a knife and stabbed me in the back by sleeping with my wife for months. Months. Would I have ever found out if I never walked in on you two?"

"I'm sorry," Simon said, his voice hushed. His gaze refused to meet Andrew's accusatory penetrating glare. "I love her, Andrew."

"I loved her too, you know," he said throatily.

"Is that why you still wear your ring?"

Andrew looked at Simon like he had no right to ask such a question but Simon didn't back down from the gaze this time. The way Simon was looking at him made him avert his gaze. Simon truly did love Talia. Loved her so much that he wondered why Andrew still wore his ring.

"I'm not wearing it because I still have hopes of a picture perfect family, if that's what you're asking," Andrew replied. "I don't know why I still wear it. I just — I'm not ready to let it go."

"And why do you think that is?" Simon inquired.

"I don't know," Andrew brushed it off.

"You don't know or you refuse to think about it to figure out your emotions?"

Andrew glared at Simon. "Fuck off, Allerton. If you're here to give me advice, forgive me but I don't find it credible anymore."

The jab was harsh but Andrew felt closed in with Simon's questions. Simon looked offended and looked like he was about to argue but he probably decided against it because he backed off, hands up in the air momentarily in surrender, before he returned them back to his knees and said, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop but you sounded like you were in the middle of an argument on the phone and if it was London, maybe taking off the ring would be helpful."

Andrew huffed. "Do you not understand me? Fuck off, Allerton. I mean it."

"I just—"

"Stop right there," Andrew cut in before Simon could say any more bullshit. "You can try all you want but it's not going to be the same. We can't go back to that sort of brotherhood we shared. You ruined it."

Simon sighed. "For what it's worth, I didn't mean to get feelings involved."

Andrew didn't want to believe him but he did. "I know."

"I'm sorry," Simon said again and this time Andrew didn't reply. Clapping Andrew on his back, he got up from the couch. "Goodnight, mate."

Simon walked away and Andrew turned to watch his former friend disappear from the living room. His eyes seared. Leaning back on the couch he tried to even his breathing out and try to chase away the negative thoughts that attacked his mind.

He had never felt so alone.

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(I usually dedicate the chapter to the person who left the best comment on the previous chapter but the next chapter will be dedicated to the person who can guess what's going to happen next, in the last chapter of part 8).