Chapter 2

The card fluttered through the air and landed right by the trash pile near my feet.

Marcus kept his arms crossed, a mocking sneer plastered on his face as he raised his voice for everyone to hear:

"Lucas, for Nicole's sake, I'll throw you a bone.

My firm happens to need a new cleaner. From the looks of it, you've got plenty of experience. If you're interested, you can start tomorrow."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with condescension.

"Of course, my company doesn't just hire anyone. The standards are high.

If it weren't for your past with Nicole, I wouldn't waste my breath on you.

You ought to thank her. Otherwise, you'd be stuck picking up garbage in places like this for the rest of your miserable life."

Nicole covered her mouth, letting out a tinkling, contemptuous laugh.

"Lucas, stop trying to play tough. Marcus is doing you an enormous favor. Just take the janitor job and be grateful. At least you'll have an actual paycheck instead of embarrassing yourself out here.

And drop the delusion that you still have a shot with me. Stalking me all the way to this summit must have been exhausting.

Marcus is only offering this because he's a generous man who doesn't hold your past obsession against you."

Greg chimed in immediately, "Exactly! Lucas, don't be ungrateful. When Mr. Reed offers you a lifeline, you take it and say thank you!"

I stared at Nicole, preening like a proud peacock, and genuinely wondered what I had ever seen in her.

In my previous life, I had spoiled her rotten. Whatever she wanted, I broke my back to give her.

Those outrageously expensive piano masterclasses? The moment she asked, I paid for them without a second thought, just so she could chase her dreams.

For her, I abandoned my true passion and talent—computer science—and plunged headfirst into real estate.

She had insisted real estate was where the real money was. No matter how much I tried to explain market trends, she demanded I make it work.

Only later did I discover she pushed me into it because Marcus Reed was in real estate.

Back then, I foolishly believed that as long as I made her happy, every sacrifice was worth it.

Reality was brutal. Lacking experience and guidance, my investments collapsed one after another. I lost everything, and my family, furious at my reckless choices, cut off my financial support entirely.

Even then, I never blamed her for a single second.

Yet she shot down every idea I had, constantly demanding I live my life according to her whims.

She remained obsessed with luxury handbags and sports cars. When I ran out of money to fuel her vanity, she pressured me into taking out predatory loans.

To be with her, I had completely severed ties with my family. They couldn't understand my sudden obsession with bad investments, thinking I had lost my mind over a woman.

I was broke, exhausted, and running myself ragged day and night just to pay off the interest.

I still vividly remembered the day she demanded a limited-edition designer bag that I simply couldn't afford.

"Lucas, look at you! You're a complete loser! I must have been blind to ever end up with you!"

Nicole had stood before me with her arms crossed, her eyes brimming with disgust.

"Do you know how many guys begged for a chance with me? Being with you is the biggest curse of my life!"

It was true. Nicole was stunning, and she had no shortage of suitors in college. I had fallen for her the moment I laid eyes on her.

That was why, once we got together, I cherished her with everything I had.