Chapter 4
I arrived at the private room right on time.
Before I could even push the door open, I heard someone inside say, "Adrian, why hasn't Claire been around lately? Is she finally done fawning over you?"
Adrian let out a cold snort. "She's just playing hard to get. Give her a few more days, and she'll be crawling back to me, begging for my attention."
The first one replied, "Right. I knew it. There's no way she'd ever give up on Adrian."
Another one said, "Yeah, she's so afraid of losing Adrian. Even if Adrian ended up with Joanna, she wouldn't leave, would she?"
Joanna couldn't help but smile, her voice playful as she teased, "Oh, come on. What are you talking about?"
Adrian replied with a lazy, careless attitude. "Cut the crap. You'll ruin Joanna's reputation."
Amidst their laughter, I clenched my fists.
Adrian was always so certain. He was sure that I loved him, and I'd never leave.
That was why he never hesitated to stomp on my feelings and humiliate me.
But he never stopped to think that I was a person, too.
I could get hurt, feel wronged, and get exhausted.
Someone noticed me, and their smiles faded away.
Adrian had his back to me and didn't notice I'd arrived.
Joanna noticed me and, with a mischievous tone, asked, "What if Claire wants to break up with you?"
The vibe in the room turned weird.
Everyone in the room was waiting for Adrian to answer, me included.
Adrian said, "Break up? Would she really let me go? Could she find someone better than me?
"Her grandma's only safe because I'm paying for everything. Claire's just trouble now. Who'd want to take her on?
"Besides, I'm her first guy. There's no way she'd want to break up with me."
His words hung in the air.
I could almost hear my heart shatter.
Turned out, that was how Adrian really saw me.
Fury burning in my chest, I marched up and knocked over his glass.
I said, "That's enough, Adrian!
"Stop making up lies about me behind my back. I barely spent any of your money!"
Joanna would send me money sometimes, but I never accepted it.
Even when I was desperate, I'd work extra shifts or pick up more part-time jobs to pay off any debts.
The only money I ever took from Joanna was the 36 grand she gave me today.
All those medical bills for my grandma? I covered them myself, juggling multiple jobs outside of class.
Adrian's expression went cold in an instant.
A hint of mockery flashed in his eyes.
He said, "Who are you trying to fool, acting all innocent? Don't think you're some saint. Hasn't Joanna been sending you money all along?
"She just sent you 36 grand. I saw it myself."
Adrian stared me down, his gaze icy and unflinching.
His face was stormy, and his whole presence felt intimidating.
He went on, "Playing the victim after getting all the benefits? Claire, guess I never realized how fake you could be.
"Never enough for you, huh?
"Keep acting like this and we're done."
I met his gaze quietly, and the fire inside me faded away.
It didn't matter anymore.
I said, "Alright, then.
"Mr. Pierce, I never took the breakup payment last time. Is it still on the table?"
Adrian's eyes suddenly widened, and he locked his gaze on me in shock.
"What did you just say?" he demanded.
I stared right back at him, refusing to flinch, and spoke firmly, "I said, we're breaking up."
I rarely ever pushed back against Adrian. Most of the time, I just went along with him.
Maybe his ego took a hit, but Adrian blew up. He kicked the coffee table hard, like a lion gone mad.
He said, "You really want to break up? Are you sure about this?
"Claire, don't come begging me to take you back like some stray dog.
"Get lost!"
He roared at me.
I stood my ground and stared at Adrian's face, saying nothing.
Still, he looked as good as ever. But my heart wouldn't skip a beat for him anymore.
Joanna stepped right between us, blocking me off as she wrapped her arm around Adrian's, her voice soft and soothing. "Alright, calm down.
"Adrian, I'm here for you."
As she spoke, Joanna shot me a warning look over her shoulder.
I knew exactly what she meant.
I looked away and then left without looking back.
From that moment on, Adrian was gone from my world for good.
I deleted Adrian from everywhere, even on social media.
When it was all done, I thought I might miss him, maybe feel a pang of loss.
But honestly, all I felt was relief.
No more wasting my precious time trying to please Adrian.
No more being constantly on edge at work, dreading Adrian's calls.
No more having to deal with his mood swings after a full day at work.
The man I once feared losing, the one I loved down to my bones, quietly faded out of my world.
It was as if nothing had happened.
Adrian wouldn't ever stir up my emotions again.
Life without Adrian finally felt peaceful and liberating.