Chapter 5

Jake seemed surprised.

Over the years, he had seen me as docile and pure.

He had seen me as obedient and submissive.

He had also seen me as hysterical, crying, and clinging.

I had been naive, alluring, cried, laughed, and made scenes in front of him.

But I had never been as calm and distant as I was at this moment.

He pushed Amber aside and walked in front of me, expressionless. "Lana Reed, I'm only saying this one last time: apologize to Amber."

I stared steadily at him, then suddenly laughed.

A desperate, all-or-nothing laugh. "Jake Miller, I told you, I won't apologize. Not even if I die…"

The sharp sound of a slap suddenly echoed in the empty corridor.

Jake seemed stunned for a moment after delivering that blow.

Amber, covering her face, widened her eyes, equally shocked and disbelieving.

Only I slowly raised my hand to my stinging cheek, my eyes slowly welling up.

"Lana Reed…"

Jake instinctively took a step forward.

But I immediately recoiled.

His hand, which had been about to reach out, suddenly dropped, and his face hardened. "Lana Reed, you brought this on yourself."

"If you had just apologized, I wouldn't have laid a hand on you."

Jake's voice was low and somewhat hoarse. "You know I never hit women."

"We've been together for so many years, and I've never touched a hair on your head."

"You shouldn't have put your hands on Amber today. I like her; it's not her fault."

"Lana Reed, stop making a scene. Save some dignity for yourself."

He was usually a man of few words, never rambling on like this.

But I didn't hear a single word.

My reddened eyes uncontrollably filled with tears.

I tried desperately to hold them back, but I couldn't.

My tear ducts ached fiercely, and tears streamed down my face, seemingly endless.

Jake had somehow clenched his hands tightly, his brows furrowed.

Amber walked to his side and said sweetly, "Jake, it's okay. Let's just go."

Jake took her hand, his gaze still fixed on my face.

"Lana Reed, don't try to cause trouble for Amber again."

"And don't ever appear in front of Amber and me again."

"This is my final warning."

He finished, but didn't leave with Amber. Instead, he stared at me, as if waiting for my reply.

But I said nothing, just lowered my head slightly.

It felt as if I wanted to shed all the tears I had for this lifetime.

After about thirty seconds, Jake finally left with Amber.

As he turned to go, I suddenly spoke in a low voice.

"Okay."

"I swear, I will never appear in front of you and Amber again."

Jake's tall back stiffened abruptly.

But he quickly pulled Amber forward again, without once looking back.

Amber, however, looked back at me.

Her eyes still held tears, but the corners of her mouth curled up in a triumphant smirk.

I slowly lowered my hand.

*Good*, I thought to myself.

Five years of entanglement, that almost deeply rooted love and hate for Jake Miller.

At this moment, it was finally dug out by the roots, completely severed.

I could focus now, with no regrets, and leave forever.