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Her tone dripped with disdain.
remembered how warm and engaging she had been, laughing and talking with the others in her group just moments before.That warmth never extended to me. For me, there was only ever this condescending scorn.
She was sure I couldn't leave, like a house pet that, even after being kicked, would just hide in a corner and lick its wounds..
But Evelyn, I didn't care anymore!
Chloe, startled by Evelyn's words, had instinctively let go of my arm. But I held onto her and said coldly:
“I gave the ring back. We're settled.”
Her eyes sharpened into daggers.
“Liam, I'm giving you a chance. Don't push it.”
I didn't want to waste words. I turned to leave with Chloe.
Evelyn's face darkened—she'd never expected defiance from me.
After the “photo incident”, she'd hit me, I vanished for half a month. She had just needed to come back with a gift and a few soft words, and I'd fallen right back in line.
“Liam, are you serious?” Evelyn shouted, her composure cracking.
I took a deep breath. “Evelyn, I'm not like you—I don't treat marriage as a game. I'll say it again: we're done.”
Evelyn looked shaken, her eyes dropping to Chloe's hand on my arm.
“Done?” she raised her voice.
She stepped in front of me, pointing in my face:
“I brought you into elite circle! All your experience and resources came from me. How can you say we're done?”
“Resources?” I laughed bitterly.
I remembered the first banquet she took me to. Everyone knew who I was. They made jokes at my expense and kept plying me with drinks.
To avoid embarrassing her, I forced myself to down two entire bottles.
Evelyn just smiled and chatted, never once intervening to help me.
Later, I passed out under a table. Evelyn actually just went off with the others to sing karaoke, merely instructing a waiter to put me in a private room to sleep it off.
As they left, I heard someone say,“Evelyn, your live-in loser isn't cutting it. Time for an upgrade?”
Evelyn didn't defend me. She just said:
“He'll do for now.”
In that moment, despite the warm room, I felt as if I'd been plunged into an icy river.
All those humiliations—were those the “resources” she meant?
I scoffed. “Evelyn, do you even have a conscience?”
She snapped impatiently.“Stop embarrassing yourself. Everyone's watching. We'll talk at home.”
She reached for my hand.
But Chloe stepped forward, slapping her hand away. “Lady, he said he's done with you. Why can't you take a hint?”
“Scared you're too old to find someone else? Trying to kidnap him in broad daylight?”
Usually sweet-tempered, the girl had a sharp tongue when provoked.
Evelyn's face darkened. “Where did this brat come from? This is between me and my husband.”
“No class, just like some uncivilized mountain girl.”
Chloe met her gaze head-on. “Your husband? Show me the marriage certificate then.”
“Don't act all righteous about some illegal cohabitation.”
This girl…
She remembered every word I'd casually shared.
Warmth spread through me. I smiled.
Evelyn was speechless. Seeing me smile, she flushed with anger.
Just then, her companions approached. “Evelyn, friends of yours?”
Evelyn's eyes flickered. She instantly became the poised CEO again. “No, just asking about the mountain trails.”
I let out another cold laugh.
See? To her, I'd always be an embarrassment.
Holding Chole's arm, I walked away without a backward glance.
I felt her gaze burning into me—but I didn't turn around.
