Chapter 3

3

"Why wouldn't I…"

He cut me off, his hands white-knuckled around his glass. His tone turned mocking.

"Stop the act! Is your boyfriend some cheap gigolo from this club? At least make the lie believable."

"Who would want a jinx? Who would want a used-up bottle girl? You've probably been passed around like a party favor. Nobody but me would be charitable enough to take you back."

Looking at his arrogant, smug face made me want to gag.

Years ago, he saved me from a dangerous situation. I was grateful. He was the light of my life back then.

But time had revealed the rot in his soul.

I had dragged myself out of the mud to find a better man.

"Get out of my way. My life is none of your business."

I tried to push past him.

But Talia wasn't finished. She stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"This isn't your house. You don't get to come and go as you please. You still haven't apologized for being on the wrong floor."

"If you want to leave, fine. You used to be a dancer, right? Strip down and use your body to wipe up that smashed cake on the floor."

"You made the mess. You clean it up."

Caspian nodded in approval.

"It's been a while since I saw you dance. A striptease is still a dance. Clean the floor with your clothes, and we'll let you go."

I looked at them both with pure disgust. "How about you two lick it up yourselves? Your mouths are so filthy, you'd match the floor perfectly."

I was the one who should be demanding compensation.

I made that cake with my own hands. Gideon even ate my burnt chicken wings once without complaining.

If he found out they ruined my hard work, he would lose his mind.

Mr. Zhao grabbed my arm. "How dare you insult Mr. Miller and his lady! Do you want to lose your job?"

I wrenched my arm away.

I checked my phone. I had several missed calls from Gideon. If I didn't show up soon, he was going to get worried.

I didn't have time for this drama.

But Caspian saw me trying to leave and grabbed my wrist.

He snatched my phone and realized it wasn't locked.

"Lyra, you said you have another man? Then why is your passcode still my birthday?"

"I gave you a chance to come back, and you played hard to get. Just admit you're obsessed with me. If I walk away for good, don't go crying into your pillow tonight."

I froze for a second. My passcode was the date Gideon and I first met.

It was a total coincidence that it was the same day as my ex-husband's birthday.

I could already see Gideon's face turning into a mask of rage if he heard this misunderstanding.

I looked at Caspian's smug face. "It's not your birthday."

"Then what is it? It's obvious! Stop lying!"

Talia stepped forward, her voice high and annoying. "You're just a club girl. You really think you can get him back? He loves me now!"

"His passcode is my birthday. His wallpaper is a picture of us. He only wants to help you because he's a good man. Don't mistake pity for love."

Caspian held up his phone, showing their photo as proof.

But his eyes were fixed on me, searching for any sign of jealousy. He looked ready to drag me to a bed if I showed even a hint of emotion.

"She's right. Talia is my everything. Don't dream about us being together again."

He was disappointed. My face showed nothing but sheer annoyance.