Chapter 3

A month later, my life was back to what it was before Eric: fabulous.

I purged my closet of every cheap, drab piece of clothing I had bought to make him feel more secure.

I had been saving to support his "dream." Now, I was my own dream.

I reconnected with my old friends, our days filled with laughter and gossip.

My world had gotten so much bigger now that he was no longer the center of it.

I started working at my father's company again.

He told me about an upcoming gala. All the heirs and heiresses from the city's most powerful families would be there.

He wanted me to go, represent our family, and maybe meet a decent guy. It was time to start over.

I happily agreed.

A few days later, I ran into Eric in the company parking garage. He was leaning against a concrete pillar, hands in his pockets, affecting his usual too-cool-for-school pose.

He blurted out, "Who are you trying to impress with all the designer labels?"

I smiled serenely. "Myself. And anyone with good taste."

He grumbled, "I told you before, I hate it when you flaunt your money."

He had said that once, and I had actually replaced my entire wardrobe with clothes from Target. I wouldn't be making that mistake again.

"Then close your eyes," I said sweetly. "Or better yet, stop showing up where I am."

"How long are you going to keep this up?" he snapped, his patience fraying. "Charlotte, I'm warning you, my patience is limited!"

His mood shifted in a heartbeat. "Look, I need some money. It's not a lot. Two million dollars," he demanded.

How had I ever found this man attractive?

"Two million isn't a lot?" I deadpanned. "Then go earn it. I'm not stopping you. Now move."

As I got into my car, his face flushed with rage. "Let's be clear! This isn't for me! It's for my company! You go to your dad, you get me that money, and you bring it back. I'll wait here," he yelled.

It was my father's investment that got his company off the ground. So, you can imagine what happened when I told my father I had broken up with Eric. He severed all business contracts with Eric the next day.

A contemptuous smile played on my lips. "If it's a business matter, you should take it up with my dad. He's in his office."

Eric's "vision" was a joke. It never would have gotten a dime of legitimate angel investment. My father had only funded it as a favor to me. He owed my father an apology, at the very least.

But Eric didn't see it that way.

He slammed his palm on the hood of my car. "Charlotte! You have no idea what you're doing! You're going to regret this attitude!" he roared.

There was a time when that would have scared me. But I was awake. And honestly, I couldn't believe I had ever been so stupid.

I laughed. "Oh really? I'm dying to know. What, exactly, are the consequences?"

He barked, "You bought this car without my permission! I haven't even dealt with you for that yet! If you don't fix this, you're not going to like what happens!"

"Oh my God, is he actually human?"

Sophie came running out of nowhere, pointing a finger at Eric. "Who the hell do you think you are? The freaking president? You think you can just order her around? Get over yourself!

"Eric, I swear, if you don't leave her alone, I'm calling the police for harassment!"

Eric shoved her aside and jabbed a finger in my face. "I'm giving you one last chance. Get the money from your dad. Now!" he yelled.

"Are you insane?" Sophie yelled, scrambling back up.

She tried to push him away from my car, but he shoved her again, hard, and she stumbled to the ground.

I was out of the car in a second, helping Sophie up. I stood in front of Eric, my voice dangerously calm. "Eric, how did I never see what a pathetic piece of trash you are?

"You will never get another cent from me. So, what are you going to do about it?"

I had never been so direct with him. And I had never been so completely, utterly over him. In that moment, I knew he had no hold on me left.

He seemed stunned by my defiance, his face twitching with rage.

"You're not going? Fine! You hear me? If you don't bring me that money today, we are done!"

His words hung in the air. It was funny. In all the drama, I had never actually said the words.

"Done? Good!" I shot back. "You really thought I couldn't live without you?"

"Charlotte! Do you have any idea what you're saying?"

"I know exactly what I'm saying! We've been over since that night at the restaurant! Now, do me a favor and get out of my life. The sight of you makes me want to puke. Sophie, let's go."

I got in my car and hit the gas.

In my rearview mirror, I saw him, his face purple with rage, screaming hysterically after me, "Charlotte! You'll die without me! You'll die!"