Chapter 2

I went to the bathroom to wash my hands, feeling way calmer than I thought I'd be. "First, I might not have fussed over you with sweet words.

"But I took a taxi to pick you up at the airport past midnight when your flight landed. I knew you could drive home on your own, yet I gave up my rest to go get you. That's care.

"I think I've done enough as your girlfriend.

"Second, you say I'm making stuff up and blaming you for no reason.

"But the truth is, you lost the lucky charm I gave you, and now there is a cartoon craft made by another woman hanging in your car, right out where I can see it.

"I'm not that stupid. Did you expect me to pretend I didn't notice anything?

"Third, I didn't leave you on the side of the road because of that fuse bead craft.

"You flew off the handle and lashed out at me first. You wanted to kick me out of the car, trying to punish and control me with that aggressive stunt.

"I only beat you to it and did what you were planning to do to me.

"If you think that's harsh, good. Anyone who comes up with tricks like that to torture other people is totally rotten. Everything you're going through now is what you deserve."

Simon stood at the entryway, a cold smile on his face. "Still got that sharp tongue, huh? You can't let things go when you think you're right."

He glanced at the suitcases I'd packed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "So, what now? You think packing up and leaving is gonna make me give in?"

Before I could say anything, I heard someone punching in the passcode on the smart lock by the entry door. With a beep, the electronic lock clicked open.

Lily stepped in, looking timid.

She wore a youthful tracksuit, had no makeup on, and her hair was tied back in a ponytail. She looked innocent and naive, like she had no idea how the real world worked.

Lily glanced at the tense standoff between Simon and me and then at the suitcases in the living room. She couldn't hide the quiet glee flickering across her face.

After all, she was too young; she couldn't conceal her feelings at all. "Simon, Mrs. Wilson, please don't quarrel because of me.

"It's all my fault. I saw fuse beads were very popular online, jumped on the trend, and made a few myself."

Lily stepped over next to Simon and murmured, "Simon always looks out for me. I made that craft for him to say thanks.

"I'm starting as an intern. I can't afford expensive gifts. Something I made myself was the best I could do.

"Mrs. Wilson, it's all on me. Simon has been away on business for so long. He is exhausted. Can you stop quarrelling with him? Blame me if you want. I'm the one at fault."

She lifted her pretty face, acting all humble, but every word was dripping with challenge.

I found her fake act kind of funny. Then I asked about an unrelated but more important matter. "How do you have the passcode to my door?"

Lily froze for a moment.

Simon quickly stepped forward to shield her. "I gave it to her. Sometimes she picks up documents for me here. I told her the code to make things easier. Don't give her a hard time."

I took a couple of steps forward and slapped Simon across the face.

The sound rang out, extremely clear in the quiet room.

"Who said you could give out my door code to an outsider? Do you really think this place is yours?" I snapped.

Before Simon could get a word out, Lily grew anxious. "How can you hit him?"

I looked at her and sneered, "What gives you the right to flirt with someone else's boyfriend? Or barge into my place without permission? I slapped him, not you. Feeling left out?"

Simon was shaking all over with rage, his face half-swollen as he glared at me. "Don't go too far!"

Lily's voice cracked with tears. "Mrs. Wilson, fine, it's my fault. You can blame me, but you can't slap him. Don't you care about Simon at all? You're threatening to pack up and leave. That's so unreasonable."

I arched an eyebrow, glanced back at the suitcases on the floor, and laughed, "Who said I was the one leaving?"

With Simon and Lily staring at me in shock, I kicked the suitcases over to Simon. "I've packed up all your belongings. Nothing left behind. Take them and get out."