Chapter 2
The account with the matching couple profile picture as mine suddenly popped up on my phone.
He wrote: [Eden, honestly, the reason I changed my profile pic to match yours this time wasn't just to stand up for you.
[Eden, do you get what I'm trying to say?]
I paused for a moment and let out a sigh.
Me: [Thanks, James. I got it, and I really appreciate your support.
[But honestly, I'm not looking for a relationship right now. I'm planning to take the offer from the company's overseas branch. These days, I'm just focusing on my career and nothing else.]
There was a long silence on his end.
Finally, he replied: [I support your decision. If you ever need anything, just remember I'm always here for you.]
I sent him a "Thank you so much" sticker, and my heart felt warm.
Once I went abroad, James Watson and I would still be working together. I'd just have to show my gratitude by working hard when we were colleagues overseas.
That night, I packed up my things.
I didn't have much to take with me.
The house was Allen's. He paid for the renovations and the appliances too.
Other than my personal stuff, there was nothing else that was really mine to take.
Maybe that was why, after all those betrayals these past five years, all I got was disappointment and regret.
That night, I left the place we'd called home for five years and moved into the temporary hotel the company set me up in, just waiting for my overseas assignment next week.
But just as I was heading down to the pool on the first floor with my swimsuit and towel, someone suddenly grabbed me from behind. I found myself surrounded by Allen's friends.
"Hey, Eden, you actually showed up."
"Allen just managed to cheer Willow up and threw a party to celebrate. We tried messaging you, but you removed us from your contacts. What was that about?"
"Eden, don't drag us into your fight with Allen."
"Oh, good thing you were just sulking. See? You still came. Come on in! You're the last one here."
I brushed their hands aside. "Sorry, but Allen and I really broke up."
The elevator doors opened, and just as I was about to step in, someone blocked the doorway with their hand.
He said, "Eden, Willow's inside waiting for you. Don't take it too far."
I smacked the guy hard across the face. "Just because she's waiting, I'm supposed to drop everything and go in? Who do you people think you are?"
The man started, "You—"
I cut him off. "All of you, just get out of here! Don't make this any uglier than it has to be."
"What's with all the attitude?" Allen's familiar voice cut through the tension.
I turned around and saw Allen strolling over, grinning, with his arm draped casually around Willow's shoulders.
Willow was dressed to the nines in a couture gown, scattered with tiny diamonds.
But what really caught everyone's eye were the twenty-four sapphires set into the gown, sparkling like stars.
"I'm not mad anymore, Eden. Why are you still making a scene? Come on, let me show you in!" Willow said.
She grabbed my hand and squeezed it hard.
The polished gem on her diamond ring scraped hard across my palm, making me gasp and yank my hand away.
"Don't touch me!" I snapped.
I jerked back so hard that everyone just froze for a second, staring in shock.
Allen's face flickered, but he quickly plastered on a smile and stepped forward, reaching out for me.
He said, "Baby, don't be upset. Let me take you in myself. Willow's in a great mood tonight, so be good and just humor me, okay?"
"Get lost!" I shoved him hard, making him stumble back a couple of steps. "I told you it's over between us. Don't you understand?
"If you still don't get it, fine. I'll say it again, right here in front of everyone: we broke up."
Allen's smile froze on his face.
Someone burst out laughing. "Do you think she's serious?"
"Fake for sure. I'll bet twenty bucks on it."
"I bet 30 dollars."
"3 thousand dollars."
"Are you serious?"
"What, you think Eden meant it this time?"
"Tsk. Fair enough. It's just petty cash after all. I'll bet 30 thousand dollars."
"Wait, is nobody betting on her being serious? Then what are we even gambling on?"
Willow shot her hand up, grinning. "I'll join in. 300 thousand dollars that Eden is not faking it."
Everyone just lost it laughing.
Their sharp gazes and raucous laughter surrounded me.
I clenched my fists.
The elevator doors slid open again, and I turned and walked away without looking back.
"Hey, don't run off, Eden," Willow called after me.
Right as the elevator doors were closing, Willow lunged forward and yanked me back.
She was so rough that the doors slammed into my side, and the elevator jerked violently, dropping a few feet with a loud bang.
I staggered and collapsed onto the floor.
Staring at the elevator stuck in midair, I didn't even want to think about what could've happened if I'd been a second slower.