Chapter 1
It took Charles Eden ten years to go from setting up a stall at a flea market to becoming a star in the investment world.
I was with him for ten years.
In the most desperate year, I even gave up my pride and begged my cheating father to borrow 6 dollars for food.
Seeing the pain in Charles's eyes, I said, "When the company goes public on the Naxdos Exchange, will you bring me along?"
He agreed.
Later, when the company was thriving, I brought it up again.
He didn't look up. "I'm busy now. Let's talk about it later."
I didn't bring it up again.
Later, I accidentally came across a short video of Charles's company going public.
The clock counted down the final ten seconds, fireworks lit up the sky, and the venue prepared for a major announcement.
He, who had said he was on a business trip, appeared at the Naxdos Exchange, but the person standing next to him was not me.
It was my half-sister, Julia Grant.
Charles held her hand, and they rang the listing bell.
As the fireworks burst across the screen, he gently hugged Julia.
His hug was polite and reserved.
He said, "Thank you for coming to witness the most important moment of my life. I am very happy."
Julia hugged him back. "Me too."
I turned off my phone, wiped the tears from my eyes, and went grocery shopping and cooking as usual.
After eating, I sent a text message to Charles. [Got 6 dollars?]
He didn't ask anything and swiftly sent me 6 thousand dollars.
I took 6 dollars and transferred back 5,994 dollars.
I texted back softly: [You overpaid.]
I transferred 6 dollars to my father, settling the debt.
Ten years ago, I gave up my pride and dignity for 6 dollars.
Ten years later, he used 6 dollars to end everything between us.
It wasn't me who appeared with him at Naxdos Exchange, and he had no place in my world.
*****
"Still awake?" At 10 PM, the door swung open out of nowhere. It was Charles.
He rolled in a light green suitcase, still dressed in the same suit from the video.
I didn't greet him like I usually did. Instead, I stayed curled up on the sofa, not bothering to look up.
I replied in an indifferent tone, "I was waiting for you."
He walked over, pausing as he was taking off his tie. "What's there to wait for? We're already like an old married couple."
I corrected him. "We're not married yet."
"It's a matter of time," he said.
As he said that, I noticed the scent of his cologne. It was roses. That wasn't my perfume.
I smiled. "Charles, do you still want to marry me?"
I was genuinely curious.
"Obviously," he said.
He'd told another woman she made him happy, and yet he still wanted to marry me. But I didn't want that anymore.
He took off his suit jacket and tossed it onto the sofa. "I've got to deal with jet lag. You go ahead and sleep."
"Okay." I got up and headed straight for the bedroom.
He watched me walk away, freezing for a second.
He must be wondering why I was suddenly acting so differently today.
Normally, no matter how late it was, I'd always have a glass of water ready for him.
There'd be a pot of soup simmering on the stove. It soothed his stomach and helped him unwind.
Sometimes I'd trail behind him like a maid, picking up his clothes as he tossed them aside.
And I'd ramble on about the usual everyday stuff like how eggs cost a few more cents, or how the veggies were getting skimpier.And I'd ramble on about the usual everyday stuff, like how eggs cost a few more cents, or how the veggies were getting skimpier.
But tonight, I didn't do any of that. I didn't say a word.
Not long after, he knocked on the bedroom door. "How do you make soup?"
"You can look up the recipe yourself," I said.
In the darkness, he came over and sat by the bed, reaching out to check my forehead. "You don't have a fever. What's up?"
I brushed his hand away. "Charles, where did you go on this business trip?"
He paused, then replied, his voice calm, "Richward. I went to check out the Naxdos Exchange."
He didn't lie, but he didn't tell the whole truth either.
When did he get so good at lying to me?
The doorbell suddenly rang.
Charles frowned, tucked the blanket around me, and reassured me. "You go ahead and sleep. I'll check it out."
He turned and walked out of the bedroom, opening the door.
"Why are you here?" His voice sounded surprised and a bit excited.
I got up and walked out of the bedroom and saw Julia.
She stood outside, wearing that same smart and smug smile she had at the Naxdos Exchange. "Charlie, you grabbed my suitcase by accident."
I looked at the suitcase. Their color, style, and brand were the same.
Julia saw me and raised an eyebrow. She waved her hand, full of enthusiasm. "Grace, you're here too. It's my bad. I shouldn't have barged in on you and Charlie this late."
I didn't say anything.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charles rolling the suitcase out of the guest room.
He'd already slipped his suit jacket back on and was holding the car keys.
"Where are you going?" I said.
"It's too late for Julia to head back alone. I'll give her a ride," he replied.
"You—" Before I could finish, Charles already had his answer ready.
"Don't get the wrong idea. We happened to be on the same flight back. She's your sister, right? I was lending a hand," he said.
I watched him carefully. His face didn't give anything away, and his tone was steady as ever. Not a single crack was in his story.