8
424words
Holding it,I recalled urging Daniel to marry me.
He always had excuses,sometimes we would end up in fights.
I thought he wasn't ready yet or found the process tedious.
His delays were his answer.
Before the wedding,I had unfinished business.
When Daniel arrived,I was packing—not my things,but his.
This tiny apartment was mine,bought with my student loans.
It's why I braved sun and storms for deliveries—to have my own home.
My childhood's instability,and the fleeting warmth of a family,drove me to crave a complete one.
If Daniel refused to leave,I'd toss his stuff in the dumpster.
Surely,"Mr.Pierce"wouldn't wear these cheap clothes.
He grabbed my wrist,pleading,"No..."
I yanked free."Perfect timing.Take your stuff and repay the $453,200 I lent you."
"For Mr.Pierce,that's merely pocket change."
He froze,I could see tears in his eyes."Must you be so harsh?"
"Jessica,not another chance for us?"
Even now,he blamed me for not giving him a chance.
Overwhelming rage had my body trembling.
"Daniel,are you nuts?"
"Didn't I give you a chance?I asked if you had anything to say."
"Need me to remind you what you said?"
He took a deep breath,grasping the last straws."If I said nothing happened with Melissa,would you believe me?"
I laughed bitterly,slapping him hard.
"Do you believe that?"
"Are you saying you two spent the night blowing up balloons with those condoms?"
"Daniel,I was stupid and blind,believing the huge gap between our worlds doesn’t matter,opening up to you completely."
"You knew how my childhood scars hurt,yet you fed twisted versions to Melissa,letting her use them against me."
Daniel was speechless,unable to muster a defense.
He sat on the sofa,head lowered,letting me curse and cry .
He placed a card on the table."There's$1.5 million in here.The extra's compensation.Password's your birthday..."
I took the card and shoved it in my pocket,then dragged his belongings to the door.
Pointing outside,I stood firm."Get out—far away!"
He paused at the door,gripping the frame.
"I heard Evan's investigating Melissa,with solid evidence..."
"I tried meeting him at his company,but his secretary says he's never there."
"Can you...arrange a meeting with Evan?"
It hit me—this was why he came.
He'd scorned Evan,but for Melissa’s sake,he'd grovel.
I sneered."That's your real intention,huh?"
"Why should I help Melissa?"
I pointed to my bandaged head,the wound was throbbing painfully with anger."My stitches aren't even out."
"Evan and I made a deal.He's given me full control of the evidence.I'll fax it to the IRS myself..."
From the dark stairwell,someone lunged forward,knocking me down.
"I knew it was you,you filthy rat!"
