Chapter 7

Alex didn't come home for two days straight, and I was content to be on my own.

Alex hadn't allowed me to work all these years, so it had been a long time since I'd drawn design sketches.

Holding the pen in my hand felt a bit surreal.

Unfortunately, fate didn't want to grant me such peace for long.

"Izzy Miller, you've grown quite bold. Don't you care about your father anymore? You said you're breaking up with Alex Thorne, but if you really do, will he still give me money? I think you just don't want to give it to me. I'm giving you one last chance. I'll be waiting for you at the coffee shop. Bring me three hundred thousand, or I'll go find Alex Thorne."

After blocking my father's phone number, he switched to sending texts.

Receiving that message, I had no choice but to go.

Things were already so bad between Alex and me; I really didn't want my father to go asking Alex for money again.

When I arrived at the coffee shop, my father, William Miller, immediately asked.

"Where's the money? Cash or card?"

I spoke expressionlessly.

"I don't have any money."

"You don't have money? Are you messing with me? You even threatened me, saying you'd end your life if I asked for money again? Are you dead?"

Looking at my father's fierce expression, I didn't want to give him any more chances.

"I've told Alex. He won't give you another penny. We've already broken up, and he has no obligation to give you money anymore."

William snorted with laughter.

"Trying to lie to your old man? He gave me two hundred thousand last time. I'm asking you, are you giving me the money or not?"

"I don't have money. I can't give it to you."

The moment I finished speaking, William grabbed me.

"I'll just have to ask him myself if you two really broke up."

William had specifically chosen a coffee shop very close to Alex's company.

He dragged me all the way into the company lobby.

"Where's Alex Thorne? I need to see him!"

My clothes were pulled loose, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the two of us.

I was weak and couldn't break free.

"I told you! He doesn't have money for you! Why do you have to be like this?"

I shouted out loud.

William ignored me completely.

"Alex Thorne! Your father-in-law is here! My daughter followed you for five years, gave you everything, and now you say you're breaking up? Do you really think us Millers are easy to bully?"

Watching the pointing fingers and stares of the crowd, my heart died.

The commotion grew too loud. Alex and Serena came down. He frowned.

"What's going on here? All this yelling."

William saw him and immediately broke into a smile.

"Son-in-law, my daughter has been with you for so long, and now you're just breaking up?"

Alex started to say something, then glanced at Serena beside him.

Seeing Serena's questioning look, he finally spoke.

"Yes, we've broken up."

"That won't do. Izzy gave you the best years of her life. How can you just break up like that?"

Alex's frown deepened. "What do you want, then?"

"Give me five million, and this matter is settled. I won't pursue it further."

The whispers from the onlookers grew louder. Tears streamed uncontrollably from my eyes.

I was being bought and sold like a commodity by my own father.

Serena said to Alex.

"Alex, she's so pathetic. Why don't you just give him the money and be done with it?"

I looked up, meeting Serena's pitying gaze.

I had no dignity left.

Alex was still deliberating. I slowly stood up.

"Alex Thorne, we've already broken up. You don't need to give him another penny."

The moment I finished speaking, William's slap landed on my face.

"Do you have a say here? Shut your mouth!"

A dead silence settled in my heart.