Chapter 3

I inserted the first card into the POS machine, and"Transaction Rejected"immediately popped up on the screen.

The second one was also rejected.

The red failure prompt was nailed to the POS machine, and my nails dug directly into my palms.

The front desk clerk pushed the card back.

"Ms. Hart, the primary cardholder has frozen all your subsidiary accounts."

Ethan moves really fast.

I've only been gone for twenty minutes.

The phone vibrates like crazy.

I stared at the word"please me"and felt sick to my stomach.

The front desk clerk lowered her voice.

"Ms. Hart, do you have any other payment methods?"

He said that after marriage, couples should not hide money between themselves.

I slapped the black card on the counter.

"Swipe for seven nights, full payment in advance."

Front desk clerk said.

"The pre-authorization amount for seven nights is high, are you sure?"

I held down my trembling hands.

"I can afford it. Pay now."

I bought seven days of freedom with my own money.

I took a screenshot of the payment record and gave it to Ethan.

The joint account also locks away my gig income.

Rachel is my acting manager for four years. She has neat short hair and never talks in a roundabout way.

Rachel was surprised when she got through.

"Lena? It's almost twelve o'clock now."

I held the key card tightly.

"Change my collection account."

Rachel said.

"Ethan has been responsible for your financial authorization."

I said.

"From now on, he is no longer responsible."

Rachel immediately woke up.

"The cancellation document will be sent to your email. It will take effect after I sign it."

Rachel confirmed.

"The next income will go into your private account. For any performance, only your own reply will be accepted."

The front desk clerk handed over an authorization form.

"The name on the payment card is different from the name on the reservation. Please add the emergency contact person."

Even the hotel system defaults to calling him first when something goes wrong.

In the emergency contact field, I fill in Rachel.

Rachel asked on the phone.

"Did you finally delete him?"

I said.

"Just delete the name."

Rachel said.

"Your hands are shaking."

I said.

"Yeah. But I still deleted it."

Rachel said.

"That's what matters."

As soon as the soles of my feet hit the ground, the broken glass brought from the wedding room pierced into my flesh.

He looked down at me.

"Can you stand?"

I supported him to stand firm.

"Thank you."

Front desk clerk said.

"Ms. Hart, Mr. Bennett asked for your room number."

The alarm bells in my mind immediately rang.

I checked the deauthorization document Rachel sent again, and the pen tip at the signature scratched the paper.

pain. But this time it was my name that was finally written.

The front desk clerk placed a pair of hotel slippers at my feet. I thanked her and refused her to contact Ethan for me.

Anyone can see me embarrassed tonight. Tomorrow, they'll see me stand up on my own.

Housing fees, doctors, and work all have to be paid out of my account. Freedom is expensive, I agree.

Why does this stranger know Ethan?