Chapter 3

3

The liquor at the bar was cheap and harsh. It was hard to swallow and incredibly strong.

I hadn't even finished half when cold sweat broke out on my forehead. My face turned pale.

The sharp pain in my stomach made me want to gag.

The rich kids started to get nervous. After all, my social status was just as high as theirs.

The leader quickly waved his hand. "Alright, alright. Everly has guts. Stop drinking. "

Brooks gave him a look and curled his lip.

"Lame. "

With that, he stood up. "That's it for tonight. I'm leaving. Miller, let's talk about the deal tomorrow. "

Jade was still holding his hand, looking like she was about to cry.

Ignoring the nausea, I stepped forward and pulled Brooks away from her, walking out of the bar.

But as soon as we got home, Brooks wrenched his hand away and shoved me hard.

I was already dizzy. Caught off guard, I fell onto the floor.

The turmoil in my stomach couldn't be held back anymore. I threw up all over the floor.

The disgust in Brooks's eyes deepened.

"Everly, you really are pathetic. Coming all that way just to embarrass yourself! "

He didn't seem satisfied. He grabbed a vase from the table and smashed it right against my forehead.

Blood trickled down into the corner of my eye.

I looked up, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw the Brooks from years ago.

My stomach felt like it was on fire.

But even then, Brooks just stood there, watching me coldly.

Eventually, he just turned around and went into the bedroom.

I managed to get up and call a car to the hospital. After getting my head stitched up, I didn't even go home. I fell into a deep sleep in a hospital bed.

In my dreams, I saw our past again.

When we first started dating, Brooks loved watching those cheesy soap operas.

Cheating, amnesia―he loved all the tropes.

He'd always make me watch them with him.

After every episode, he'd ask me nervously, "Do you think you'll ever get amnesia and forget me? "

I'd laugh and kiss his forehead.

"Don't worry. I could forget anyone, but never you. "

Brooks would pull me into his arms, beaming.

"Me too. "

But a dream is just a dream.

Dreams have to end.

The next day, Jade cornered me outside my office.

Her eyes were full of jealousy.

"You have no shame! "

"Who's the one with no shame? You're the one sleeping with a married man. "

I threw the insult back at her without hesitation.

Jade didn't respond. Her resentment was almost tangible.

Then, she let out a dry laugh.

"Everly, I know the North family business is struggling. That's why you're clinging to Brooks. You just want to tie the Millers to your sinking ship. "

"But unfortunately, I'm the one he loves. The one who isn't loved is the real intruder, don't you get it?! "

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"So, you came here just to show off? "

She was unhappy because I took Brooks away from her last night, so she wanted to ruin my day.

I didn't want to listen to her nonsense and turned to leave.

Suddenly, she lunged forward and grabbed my arm.

I pulled away, and she fell straight onto the ground.

I frowned. I definitely hadn't used that much force.

Before I could speak, she suddenly looked terrified and victimized, a complete 180 from her previous aggression.

"Everly, I know you hate me. But did you really have to call me out here just to humiliate me? "

She clutched her wrist, tears streaming down her face. She looked so pitiful.

"You can do whatever you want to me, but I beg you, stop making things hard for Brooks. He deserves to be free. He shouldn't be a sacrifice for your business arrangement! "

She stood up and sighed, giving a bitter, resigned smile. "If it matters that much to you, I'll leave. I'll disappear from your world forever… "