Chapter 3
600words
The living room was a disaster zone. Terry's suitcase lay open, clothes thrown in haphazardly.
He was gone.
Good riddance.
I showered quickly and made a simple bowl of noodles.
Just as I sat down to eat, my phone rang. Dad.
"Get back here right now!"
His voice exploded through the speaker before I could even say hello.
I said nothing.
"How did I raise such a selfish daughter? You humiliated both families at your brother's engagement! Do you know the Grants have pulled out of the merger because of you?"
"Go apologize to the Grants immediately! Beg Terry to take you back!"
I gripped my chopsticks tightly. "Dad, do you even know what Terry did?"
"What did he do? Play some harmless joke on Asha? She already explained everything. She was just being playful! Why are you being so petty?"
"All you see is your precious Asha. What am I to you—your actual daughter?" My voice cracked despite myself.
"You—!" Dad sputtered with rage. "Think you're too good for this family? If you don't apologize, don't bother coming home again!"
He hung up with a crash.
I stared at my cold noodles, appetite gone.
That afternoon, I met with a lawyer to draft an engagement termination notice and property division agreement.
Terry and I co-owned the art investment firm I'd built after college. It had grown into something substantial.
My life's work.
By the time I finished, night had fallen.
I drove to my family home to collect some personal items.
As I approached the gate, I spotted a familiar Maybach in the driveway.
Terry's car.
While I debated whether to go in, the car doors opened. Terry and Asha stepped out together.
Asha clutched an elegant gift box to her chest.
They walked toward the house, laughing together like the perfect couple.
Another knife twisted in my heart.
So this was his idea of "don't regret this."
I shoved my car door open and stepped out.
"Terry." My voice cut through the night.
He spun around, his face flashing from shock to guilt in an instant.
Asha immediately wrapped herself around his arm and smirked at me. "Sis! What a surprise! Terry brought me a gift to make up for that awful scene you caused yesterday."
She waved the gift box with my favorite designer's logo emblazoned on it.
I remembered mentioning to Terry that I wanted their new limited edition necklace.
He'd dismissed it as "overpriced and gaudy."
Now he'd bought it—for Asha.
Terry frowned and tried to pull away from Asha's grip, but she clung tight.
He looked at me desperately. "Eula, it's not what you think. Asha kept calling, saying your dad yelled at her and she was upset, so I just—"
"So you rushed over with gifts to comfort her?"
I cut him off, laughing bitterly.
"Do you think I'm completely stupid?"
"No!" Anger flashed in his eyes. "It's just to shut her up! We're done after this! I swear!"
"Sis, don't be mad at Terry."
Asha's innocent act switched on like a light.
"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have called him. But... I just couldn't help it. I like him so much."
Her eyes welled with tears as she gazed up at Terry like a wounded puppy.
Terry's expression softened, his eyes filling with sympathy.
Watching them, I felt the last bit of warmth drain from my heart.
I thrust the document folder at him.
"Since you're so busy, I won't keep you. Here's the engagement termination and property division. Look it over and sign it."
