Chapter 3

The moment Celeste's words fell, the stack of money hit my face hard.

I didn't know which edge it was, but one of the bills cut my right cheek, leaving a faint streak of blood.

All eyes in the coffee shop turned to me—some sympathetic, some mocking, and some filled with undisguised malice.

"She is now an employee of Harrison Industries. She has nothing to do with Thorne Corp anymore. Do you really think I'll stand by and let you bully people like this?"

Liam Harrison's face turned cold as he suddenly looked up at Celeste.

Celeste instinctively recoiled two steps, hiding behind Alex.

It was the first time I'd seen Alex so anxious about someone.

He immediately shielded Celeste, glaring at Liam.

Finally, he glanced dismissively at me. "So what if her face got scratched? That ten thousand dollars is compensation enough. If anything, she made out like a bandit."

As he spoke, Alex narrowed his eyes at me.

I knew he was warning me to take the money and be quiet.

If I didn't, he had countless ways to make my life even harder.

Five years of shared history had left no mark on his heart.

He had never once been truly sincere with me.

I forced a strained smile, picking up the scattered bills one by one, feeling utterly humiliated.

"Don't worry, Mr. Thorne. I definitely made out."

Every word was forced out through gritted teeth, my gums almost bleeding.

Celeste scoffed. "Just like a pathetic lap dog!"

I clenched my jaw, the soft flesh inside my mouth almost bitten raw, a strong metallic taste spreading on my tongue.

I dared not look up, knowing I must look pathetic and ridiculous.

Finally, Liam sighed, took my hand, and led me out of the coffee shop.

"Rest well for three days. I'll see you at Harrison Industries then."

Back at my rental, Alex's jacket was still on the messy bed.

I started tidying the place, gathering all his belongings into a box.

I planned to return them to him sometime, or just toss them out.

After hours of work, I realized that over the past five years, his presence had permeated every corner of this apartment.

The toothbrushes and towels in the bathroom, the potted plant on the windowsill, the apron in the kitchen…

Turns out, in those five years, I had unknowingly started treating him like a real boyfriend, not just a transaction.

Though I didn't want to admit it, that was the reality.

The lock suddenly turned, and his familiar silhouette appeared, just like he used to.

Alex immediately spotted the box of his things I'd packed and sneered coldly, "So, you found a new sugar daddy, and now you're desperate to kick your old one to the curb?"

"Chloe Davis, are you really that pathetic? Can't you live without money?"

I bit my lower lip hard, the deep indentations of my teeth clearly visible.

So, in Alex Thorne's mind, that's all I was—worthless.

But none of it mattered anymore.

A heart that had died wouldn't come back to life.

"We agreed to five years from the start. The time's up, you're getting married, and I won't hold you back."

"Besides, I've resigned from Thorne Corp. Mr. Thorne, you have no reason to stay here, do you?"

He said nothing, his face incredibly grim. He sat on the sofa, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.

I quickly pushed the organized box towards him.

"I've packed everything. You can take it with you."

As soon as I spoke, Alex's expression darkened even further.

I didn't know what he was angry about.

Like a five-year old instinct, my mind quickly ran through every possible reason for his anger.

Finally, I remembered something and told him, "I'll be giving notice on this apartment too, don't worry. As for our five years together, I won't say a word to anyone, especially not to Ms. Hayes. And I won't disturb you anymore."

Alex froze for a moment. In the dim light, his expression was unreadable.

Soon, he let out a cold laugh, leaning in to pinch my chin.

A moment later, a red fingerprint appeared on my jaw.

"Good, you're sensible. Otherwise, you'll pay!"

"I don't want these things. You've touched them. They're contaminated!"

With that, Alex turned and left.

His words stole my breath. The tears I'd been holding back finally broke free, falling one by one.

I closed my eyes, letting the tears stream down.

And he, he never looked back.