Chapter 2

Someone teased, "Two thousand? Robertson really knows his stuff—that's exactly what the top girl at a nightclub charges for one night."

This remark triggered a wave of laughter.

"If you ask me, even two thousand is overpaying. A woman in her thirties—how could she be worth the same price as a young, pretty girl?"

"It's only because Robertson is kind-hearted that he's willing to marry her at all."

The mockery inside the door continued.

"What's said tonight, don't let Elia..."

Behind me, I seemed to hear Robertson's slurred reprimand, but I couldn't process a single word. I covered my face and hurried away from the bar.

When I reached the entrance, an overwhelming wave of nausea surged up. I dry-heaved over a trash can.

Yet my mind masochistically replayed those overheard words again and again.

I couldn't believe that the person I'd loved for eight years had only ever seen me as a cheap substitute.

The night wind stung my eyes red. I couldn't remember how I hailed a cab or how I got into it.

A distinctive ringtone jolted me awake. I fumbled for my phone.

A new message popped up in my pinned chat.

"Babe, where are you? I feel terrible. Come pick me up."

Robertson was the picture of a rational elite in public, but in private with me, he'd act all clingy.

I used to fall for that act completely. Now I just stared blankly, thinking—

It seems Robertson really does love her. Even for me, his first love's substitute, he's willing to invest so much effort into performing.

I didn't reply. Instead, I made a phone call.

Soon, a familiar voice answered irritably.

"Why are you suddenly calling me?"

The emotions I'd been suppressing for so long suddenly collapsed in the face of my closest person.

"Mom, you were right. Robertson never intended to marry me..."

"That guy you wanted to set me up with—I'll meet him."

Before, when Robertson kept stalling on the wedding money, I hated nothing more than my mom's nagging about marriage.

Now, I desperately craved a new relationship to numb the pain of this one.

"You've finally come to your senses! Don't worry—I'm a top matchmaker. This one's a rare catch. Robertson and all the rest can go to hell."

"But are you sure you've let go?"

I smiled faintly.

"Mom, you know I'm the most stubborn person alive. When I decided on Robertson, I could wait eight years for a promise. But once I've made up my mind to leave, I won't hesitate for a second."

Some walls only need to be hit once.

I hung up the phone and wiped away my tears.

When I got out of the car, aside from slightly red eyes, there wasn't a trace of vulnerability on my face.