Chapter 2

When I got diagnosed with stomach cancer, every penny I had went into tests and treatment. For years, I'd been scraping by, working over a dozen hours a day, but I still couldn't afford the pricey imported meds that could actually make a difference.

But I wanted to live.

I tried to comfort myself, slowly unclenching my fists at my sides. Then I turned around, walked over to Yulia, and put on my best customer-service smile.

"Ms. Simons, let me take the bones out for you," I said.

With everyone shooting me smirking, mocking looks, I started removing the fish bones. Maybe I was just imagining it, but I kept catching Zane glancing my way.

Every time I finished deboning a piece, Zane would feed the fish to Yulia himself.

The people around them started making jokes and egging them on, pushing the two to put their affection on full display.

Yulia looked up at Zane, her ears flushed red, her face lit up with happiness and bashfulness.

Zane set down his fork and leaned closer to Yulia, who was already nestled in his arms.

Yulia leaned in, her eyes shining with anticipation, but Zane only kissed her on the forehead. For a split second, a hint of disappointment and embarrassment flashed across her face.

"Sheesh, Zane, you're so stingy. Won't even give us a kiss to watch?" someone teased.

Zane slipped his arm around Yulia's waist and served her food with the utmost gentleness, his deep, magnetic voice softer than ever.

"Just wait, sweetheart. I'll give you what you want after everyone leaves," he said.

Yulia nodded shyly, instinctively glancing at me before continuing to eat the food Zane gave her.

Standing off to the side, watching it all unfold, I felt like I was just a ghost in their world, completely out of place.

A wave of sour bitterness washed over me, the ache in my heart stabbing even harder than the pain in my stomach. My forced smile was about to crack.

"If you don't want to do it, just say so. I'm not making you," Zane said coldly, catching my change in expression.

For some reason, hearing Zane's voice made the sour feeling in my chest completely overflow, spiraling out of control.

"No, Mr. Sterling," I replied.

Mr. Sterling, that name felt so cold and formal.

Wasn't this just what he wanted all along?

I knew I was being a little defiant, but I really needed the money. Maybe I deserved this humiliation after all.

As soon as I finished speaking, Zane slammed his fork down on the table with a loud bang. I flinched, and the coffee splashed out.

Zane sneered, "You can't even handle something this simple. Is this how you treat the one who pays your bills?

"Or maybe I'm not paying you enough? Am I not worth your best service?"

Zane's words were like daggers, each one stabbing straight into my heart.

He was doing this on purpose, just to humiliate me.

I didn't care how they saw me anymore. I set down my fork and let out a defiant, self-mocking laugh.

"Yeah, Mr. Sterling, guess your money just isn't enough for me," I said.

The air around Zane grew heavy and menacing. Without a word, he took out a bank card and threw it onto the floor.

"Take the money and get out," he said, his voice icy.

"Thanks, Mr. Sterling," I said, feigning satisfaction.

I pretended to be grateful, but the bitterness in my heart was so strong I could almost taste it.

As soon as I left the private room, I rushed straight to the restroom. The pain in my stomach twisted so fiercely, it felt like my heart was being crushed along with it; I could barely breathe, like I was suffocating.

I hastily washed my face, and when I looked up, I suddenly realized Zane was standing right behind me, reflected in the mirror. I had no idea when he'd slipped in.

I was about to ignore him and leave, but he swung his arm out, stopping me cold.

Zane asked, "What's this? Been crying?

"Didn't you think I was just dead weight back then? Didn't you turn your back on me? So why are you crying now?

"Eva, is money really that tight for you? Looks like your sugar daddy isn't taking such good care of you after all."

I knew he was just trying to get back at me, but it didn't matter to me anymore.

I wiped the tears and water from my face, smiled right back at him, and met his eyes.

I said, "Yeah, I'm all about the money. You know that, don't you?

"How my sugar daddy treats me has nothing to do with you, Mr. Sterling.

"Or is it you, Mr. Sterling, still can't get me out of your head? Is that why you're blocking my way?"

Zane hadn't expected me to throw it back at him. Hit right where it hurt, he scoffed, his voice dripping with disgust.

"Eva, you're unbelievable. Hope you never regret this, not even once in your whole damn life," he snapped.

"Don't worry, Mr. Sterling. I'm done chasing after you. Wishing you and Yulia all the best as a couple," I said.

After tonight, I'm quitting this place for good. From now on, Zane will be nothing but a memory.

But as always, life had other ideas.