Chapter 3

William probably thought I wouldn't last three days before coming back to apologize like before.

This time, he was wrong.

Three days later, I was already sitting in a taxi to the airport with all my overseas assignment paperwork completed.

My phone buzzed frantically in my pocket, the screen flashing with calls from different unknown numbers.

I knew it was him. I didn't answer.

Until a number I knew by heart called—my mom's.

On the other end, my mother's voice was anxious with a hint of reproach.

"Alice, what's going on with you and William? He came to the house saying you won't see him or take his calls."

"How can you run away from home like this? Can't you two talk things out?"

I closed my eyes. I could perfectly imagine the devoted, innocent look on William's face in front of my parents right now.

He knew me too well.

He knew my family was my weak spot.

"Mom, put him on the phone." My voice was completely calm.

A moment later, William's voice came through, carrying a hint of suppressed anger and barely concealed panic.

"Alice, what exactly do you want?"

"Over $250,000—is it really worth all this? Do you know how worried your parents are about you?"

He was always so skilled at turning things around.

"William, we've already broken up."

"Where I am and where I'm going has nothing to do with you."

"Please leave my house and stop bothering my parents."

Silence for a few seconds on the other end, then he exploded in disbelieving rage.

"Do you have someone else already? Found your next target that fast?"

"I never thought you were so materialistic!"

Ha! This was the man I'd loved for three years.

"You think this is really about the money?"

I laughed bitterly.

"But whatever, think what you want!"

"You deposited a total of $50,000 in that account, borrowed it back at least ten times, and never paid it back in the end."

"I won't even ask you for the money for that bag. Consider it thrown to the dogs."

"Let's part on good terms!"

"You..."

William's breathing became labored. I knew I'd thoroughly enraged him this time.

He was only holding back because my parents were there.

Suddenly, someone else took the phone—it was Mary.

"Alice, are you complaining that William doesn't earn as much as you?"

"You're so materialistic..."

I was too tired to listen to her nonsense and cut her off:

"William, if you let her harass me or my family again, we'll see each other in court."

"The transaction records from that $500,000 joint account are all very clear. I don't mind letting a judge decide who that money should belong to."