Chapter 3

The breaking point came half a month later.

That day was Sebastian's birthday.

I'd spent a month's salary to buy him a watch he'd had his eye on for a long time.

I'd looked at that watch in the mall three times, each time pretending I was just passing by.

The sales clerk behind the counter probably remembered me by then.

When I bought that watch, my bank account had less than a hundred dollars left.

But I was so happy.

I put the watch in a deep blue gift box and tied it with a bow.

I went to his office full of joy.

But in the underground parking garage, I saw him standing with Victoria.

The parking garage lights were dim.

Victoria held an elegant gift box in her hands, smiling as she handed it to him.

"Happy birthday, Sebastian."

Sebastian took it.

"Thanks."

"Is Jonathan coming today?" Victoria asked casually.

"Yes." Sebastian said.

"Well, you'd better keep an eye on Rain." Victoria laughed behind her hand.

"Don't let them rekindle old flames. That wouldn't look good for you."

I stood behind a pillar, expecting Sebastian to refute her.

But he didn't.

So this was what I was to him---a woman who needed to be watched, to be warned about.

I turned around and threw the watch box into the trash.

That night, we had our most explosive fight in his apartment.

I poured out all the grievances I'd been holding in for the past two weeks.

Sebastian finally said what he'd been holding back too.

His eyes were red as he stared at me.

"Did you get close to me because of Jonathan? Did you settle for me because you couldn't have him?"

I looked at him in disbelief, tears streaming down my face.

The tears flowed down my cheeks, unstoppable.

"Sebastian, are you insane?"

"Answer me!" He grabbed my shoulders so hard it hurt.

His fingers dug into me like iron clamps, my bones creaking under the pressure.

"Have you ever really liked me? Or do you just like money? Can anyone sleep with you as long as they have money?"

I looked at this man who was nearly mad.

The fortress in my heart came crashing down.

I didn't struggle.

I just let the tears fall.

"Sebastian." I looked at him, my voice hoarse.

"You never believed me."

I pulled away from his grip and turned toward the door.

"Let's break up."

The next day, I moved out of that apartment.

Sebastian didn't try to stop me.

He didn't even send a single message.

When I was packing, his hands stayed in his pockets.

He stood in the middle of the living room, watching me pack my things into boxes one by one.

From beginning to end, he didn't say a word.

When I walked out of the complex dragging my suitcase, the sun was bright.

I stood at the roadside waiting for a taxi.

The sunlight shone on me, warm.

But I couldn't feel any warmth at all.

Beep beep beep---

The alarm pulled me back to reality.

I took a deep breath and sat up in bed.

Wash up, make breakfast, send Ian to kindergarten, then go to work.

Life had to go on.

My current company was in an office building in the CBD.

I was holding coffee when I walked downstairs.

My steps froze.

Outside the entrance, a black Maybach was parked.

Sebastian leaned against the car door, wearing a well-tailored black suit.

He was smoking.

The smoke dispersed in front of him, blurring his features.

When he saw me, he stubbed out the cigarette and straightened up.

Colleagues passing by were all sneaking glances at him.

I gripped my coffee cup tighter, forced myself to look away, and walked straight ahead.

"Rain."

He called my name.

I ignored him and quickened my pace.

He took several steps forward and blocked my path.

"We need to talk."