Chapter 4

I trembled as I pushed open the bedroom door.

Violet was wearing my camisole nightgown, her white back exposed as she slept on her stomach on the bed.

Although Jackson was sleeping beside her in pajamas, his hand rested on her hair, unconsciously stroking it.

I was furious.

"You cheaters!"

The two woke with a start, shocked to see me like this.

Especially Violet—she screamed.

"A ghost!"

Jackson got out of bed barefoot and ran to my side.

"Amy, what—how are you just getting back now? What happened last night? Didn't I tell you to take a cab home?"

He anxiously turned me left and right. When his gaze landed on my swollen ankle and angry eyes, he looked away.

"You—you misunderstood. We just lay down together, like when we were kids. We didn't do anything!"

I laughed coldly.

"A man and woman alone in one bed, and she's wearing my clothes—you're saying nothing happened? Violet, don't you have a boyfriend? Why are you here disrupting our lives! You homewrecker..."

Before I finished, a crisp slap landed on my face.

Jackson stared at his palm in horror.

"I'm sorry Amy, I didn't mean to—I just can't stand—"

Violet smiled.

"I didn't expect it, Jackson. After all these years, you're still the same—when you hear someone insult me, you automatically step in to defend me. I didn't care about you for nothing!"

"One-eyed lady, I think you misunderstood. Jackson and I have known each other for twenty years. If I had any designs on him, would it be your turn?"

I covered my face as scalding tears poured out.

"Jackson, we're breaking up! I want to break up with you!"

Jackson grabbed me tightly.

"No! I already apologized—what more do you want! How about you hit me back!"

As he spoke, he grabbed my hand and swung it toward his face.

Before it could touch his face, Violet spoke.

"Jackson, I don't have time to watch you two lovebirds. Smith called me—I need to go. You two take care!"

With that, she took off her nightgown right in front of us, naked, and bent down to pick up her underwear from the side.

Jackson and I froze on the spot.

I could clearly feel Jackson's body tense, his lower body hard as iron.

The body holding me was burning hot, but I was ice cold inch by inch.

How ridiculous. My boyfriend got physically aroused looking at another woman.

As Violet passed us, she smiled at Jackson's lower body.

"I didn't realize, Jackson—you really don't show it! You're not inferior to foreign men at all."

Jackson's face turned bright red.

I chased after her, only to see her pick up the jade Jackson had bought at a high price last night and put it in her bag.

I shouted.

"Put it down—that's mine!"

Violet raised an eyebrow.

"Yours? What's yours? To be blunt, even your man is mine."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you—my Maltese's birthday is next month. The collar is missing a piece of jade exactly this size, so Jackson gave it to me."

With that, she opened the door and left.

I'd just finished processing her words, trembling all over.

"Didn't you say that was for me?"

Jackson looked away.

"I have money. I can buy you another one like that. Violet begged me for half the night saying she wanted it. Amy, you're the most sensible, right?"

I curved my lips.

"Begged you? How did she beg? On her knees? Or with her body?"

Jackson's face darkened.

"Amy, you can't talk about Violet like that. We're innocent."

Looking at him, I suddenly felt very tired.

"Jackson, I'm serious. Let's break up."

"Before yesterday, I always thought you loved me. But not anymore. You love yourself, you love Violet, you love face—you just don't love me."

"I saved you that year simply because you were you, not because of your family background. I didn't expect anything from you—you were the one who said you wanted to be with me."

"Jackson, go explain to them that I didn't exploit your gratitude, that I didn't latch onto you, that I'm not desperate for you."

"Jackson, I'm really tired."