Chapter 5

I promised Steven that the next day I would write a memo about the mother and daughter's changes over the past ten years.

Then pack up my things and leave.

To prevent any mix-ups, after the banquet ended, it was still me who went home with Clara and her daughter.

I leaned against the bed without saying a word.

Clara carefully came to my side, gently holding my hand.

"What's wrong? Still angry at your brother?"

I pulled my hand away without speaking.

She shamelessly grabbed it again.

"I told you, you're the only man in my life.

"He has the same face as you, but that's not an advantage.

"I just find it disgusting."

I suddenly looked up at her.

"Don't you believe me?"

She clearly thought I was my brother. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone send your brother abroad and never let him come back.

"How about that?"

I looked at her for a while before speaking.

"No need."

Tomorrow, I would go abroad myself.

After lying down, I turned my back to Clara.

She continued talking, trying to get my attention.

"I heard your brother caught feelings because his girlfriend hit rock bottom? That was Mia, right?"

I frowned, impatient.

This was the story my brother had spun about me.

He painted me as a pathetic man who first leeched onto a rich girl. Then, when she fell from grace and his sister-in-law rose to power, he tried to move on to her instead.

"Mia's trash. If he was into her, that says enough about him."

The words sat like a weight in my chest.

To claw back a shred of dignity, I muttered, "She was alright. Knew her way around a bed."

Then, a pair of warm hands gently circled me from behind.

My back sank into a soft embrace.

"Nothing in this world could ever come between us, love."

"Mm."

I closed my eyes.

After I leave tomorrow, you can have your great romance with him for all I care.

While Clara was at work and Emma was at school the next day, I handed over the past ten years' work to Steven.

Then, taking the check he gave me, I wheeled my suitcase out the door.

I didn't plan to go back to Mia.

The plane ticket was for Paris.

With this money in hand, I didn't need to worry about the future.

The car I'd booked arrived at the hotel after dark.

I got in and closed my eyes to rest.

But not long after we started moving, the driver pulled over.

I opened my eyes.

"Why are you picking up someone else?"

Instead of answering, the driver got out.

I was about to call him back when my door opened.

The person stepping in stole my breath.

"Mia is good in bed?"

Clara's voice came from above me.

The next second, her weight settled in my lap.

She cupped my face, looking down.

"I'm so much better. Care to find out?"