Chapter 4

"Had dinner with a friend," I said flatly, walking straight towards the bedroom.

After just a couple of steps, Sloane suddenly blocked my way, frowning. "You've been drinking?"

"Didn't we agree that you wouldn't drink when I'm not around?"

I couldn't help but sneer.

The implication was that I could only drink when I was helping her entertain clients.

I didn't say anything.

Sloane, however, seemed to think of something and suddenly smiled, looking somewhat smug.

"You're still upset about me going out with Aiden, aren't you? If you didn't want me to go out alone with him, you could have just said so. Was it necessary to drink so much?"

"You're overthinking it. My drinking has nothing to do with you," I said.

I felt tired and sat down on a chair.

"But I do have something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

Probably thinking I was going to apologize, Sloane's tone became even more smug.

"Let me tell you in advance, it's too late to apologize to me now. I'm very angry about what happened this afternoon."

"Don't think a simple apology will make me forgive you."

As she spoke, she rolled her eyes at me.

I pretended not to see it and said, "I..."

Before I could finish, her phone rang.

Sloane looked down at it.

I noticed the caller ID was Aiden.

"Wait a moment, I need to take this call," she said.

With that, Sloane had no intention of paying any more attention to me and was about to answer the phone.

I looked at her cold and resolute back, and calmly spoke up.

"Let's break up, Sloane."

As soon as I said this, Sloane's body seemed to freeze for a moment.

"You want to break up with me over such a small matter?" Sloane looked at me in disbelief.

After a moment, she said impatiently, "Why have you become so petty? It was just a dinner with Aiden, is it really that serious? Forget it, I have something to do. You calm down first, and we'll talk later."

With that, she prepared to answer Aiden's call again.

It had always been like this. Whenever we had a disagreement, she would tell me to calm down on my own.

This was often the beginning of our cold war.

But almost every time, I would be the one to brainwash myself, convincing myself to accept Sloane's perspective, then take the initiative to make up with her and apologize.

At first, it was because I liked her and didn't want her to feel wronged. Later, I couldn't let go of our years of feelings, always thinking that if I endured a little more, things would get better after we got through this conflict.

But year after year passed, nine years went by, and things never got better.

Sloane answered Aiden's call, smiling as she greeted him and was about to go back to the bedroom.

I strode forward and took her phone.

Without hesitation, I hung up.

Sloane was a bit angry: "What are you doing?"

"Let's talk about us first. You'll have plenty of chances to talk to him in the future," I said, handing the phone back to her.

Since I had already decided to leave, it was best to cut ties cleanly. I had no inclination for self-torture.

"What is there to talk about? You really want to break up with me over this little thing?" Sloane snorted coldly, looking at me after sending Aiden a message.

"I really don't know what's gotten into you. Do you realize what breaking up with me means right now?"

"You have nothing now, you're no longer good enough for me. Do you know how many people have advised me to leave you? But I've always considered our feelings and tolerated you time and time again. I've already compromised so much, what else are you unsatisfied with?"

Sloane's demeanor was imperious.

Yes.

Her net worth now far exceeded mine, and she had reminded me more than once that our relationship was unequal, that she was with me only out of consideration for our years of history.

In the past, I had treated her words as playful banter between us. It wasn't until recently that I realized she was serious.

In her eyes, there was no reason for us to break up.

It was about benefits, old feelings, charity, but never love.

I was about to speak when she seemed to think of something else.

She interrupted me and sneered, "Alright, I get it. I'll restore your position in the company and give you some shares. Is that enough?"

"No need," I said.

I found it somewhat amusing and shook my head. "It's not because of that."

"Then what is it?" Sloane asked, puzzled.

I didn't hide it from her anymore and said calmly, "Let's be frank. I heard everything you and Aiden said in the hotel today."

Sloane's face froze.

"You followed me?"

"It was just a coincidence," I said.

But Sloane clearly didn't believe me, looking at me suspiciously.

In the past, I probably would have tried to prove myself to her, but now, I didn't care at all what she thought. I went straight to the point: "Since you want to break up too, we're on the same page. Let's just end it."

"I won't take anything under your name. Let's part on good terms."

Now that everything was out in the open, I thought Sloane would agree readily, but to my surprise, she hesitated.

"Dane, think it through. You're not young anymore. If you break up with me now, with your conditions, you might not find a partner as good as me."

"What I said at the hotel was just out of anger. If you can apologize to me, I don't necessarily want to break up with you."

"I'm not completely without feelings for you, you..."