Chapter 8

Alex instinctively wanted to go help.

But Serena grabbed his wrist.

"Alex, her father looks terrifying."

My face was turned to the side from the impact. I glanced at Alex, but he made no move.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

"Love" was truly nothing more than this.

"Mr. Thorne, have you decided?"

Alex was about to agree.

But I spoke in a chilling voice.

"If you give him a single penny, I will end my life right here."

Alex had never seen such a look in my eyes.

I was always gentle, always compliant.

But now, my eyes were as desolate as a bottomless lake.

Finally, he said.

"I can't give it to you. Security, please escort this man out."

William was dragged out, still cursing and swearing.

"You rich people, what's a little money to you? This bitch, she only cares about outsiders."

"Everyone back to work! What are you all doing standing around here?"

At Alex’s command, everyone scattered like frightened birds.

I walked towards the back exit.

Missing the complicated gaze Alex cast at my retreating back.

"Alex, let's go upstairs. I was almost scared to death just now."

Serena clutched her chest, looking utterly frightened.

In the end, he didn't come after me.

Serena had only just been appeased; he didn't want his efforts to go to waste.

No big deal, he'd just go home tonight and explain everything to me properly.

Thinking that, Alex felt it wasn't such a problem after all.

He and Serena went upstairs.

I walked numbly down the street, almost getting hit by a car.

I found a stone bench and sat down, crying out loud.

Five years ago, I met Alex. I chased him for a long time.

I chased him until even I felt hopeless, wanting to give up, when Alex finally agreed.

I had heard his friends mention Serena.

But I naively believed that was the past, and Alex had finally been moved by me.

I came from a humble background. My father gambled, and my mother had vanished without a trace long ago.

Alex never said anything. He even helped me.

I truly believed it was love.

Even without marriage, I tried my best to play the role of a dutiful girlfriend.

But now, my heart felt shattered into a million pieces, beyond repair.

I stayed on the roadside until late at night before dragging my exhausted body home.

Two more days, and I would be leaving the country.

Now, thinking back, this might be the most correct decision I had ever made.

To be able to get away from everything here and start a new life.

Returning home and opening the door, Alex, awkwardly wearing an apron, said.

"Why are you home so late? The food's all cold."

I didn't understand what Alex was doing.

"I'm not hungry."

With that, I lay on the bed, quietly digesting my negative emotions.

Alex leaned in to kiss me.

"Not eating isn't good for your health. Eat a little."

I pushed him away.

"What do you even take me for? Your plaything?"

Alex took off the apron.

"What kind of talk is that? Wasn't I just worried you'd be hungry?"

"You're worried I'll be hungry, but not worried I'd be beaten?"

Provoked by my words time and again, Alex's face hardened.

"That's your father. All of those things were done by him. I gave him so much money, wasn't that enough?"

He cooked dinner and waited for me, only to be treated with cold words.

When had Alex ever lowered himself to this extent?

Since I wasn't grateful, he had no need to endure it.