Jaxon's swagger vanished in an instant.
"What sketches are you talking about?"
"Cut the act. It's just us here. If you didn't take them, then who did?"
Jaxon scowled. "Yuliana, when did you get so harsh?
"Sure, I took them. I'm your boyfriend. What's the big deal in checking out your work?"
I scoffed. "Was it really for you or for that Rebecca lady?"
That struck a nerve.
"What's your point? Even if Sarah took a peek, what was it to you? You thought she'd copy you? She was just curious about my sketches, and I found a few of yours decent enough to show her.
"It was just a few sketches. You were done with them anyway. What's the fuss about showing her the originals?
"Come on! Would you benefit from me showing her your drafts, too?
"Don't weddings need money? I'm doing all this to give you the life you deserve. Why can't you see that?"
I quietly shut off the recording on my phone.
Just then, my phone buzzed to life.
It was my dad, whom I had not spoken to in ages.
He had tried to contact me a few times over the years, but I had never given in to his pleas to dump Jaxon.
Each call ended with his disappointed click of the receiver.
"Dad."
"Yuliana, you still remember I'm your dad?"
His words hit me, and I felt a lump in my throat.
I had been so mad at Dad for that guy that I had not been home in three years.
"So, what's it going to be? Still not coming home?"
I sniffed back tears. "Dad, I've missed you so much."
At that, I could almost hear my dad's resolve crumble.
"Yuliana, why the tears? Stop crying. Did Jaxon do something to you? I'll take care of it!"
Through my sobs, I managed to say, "I'm sorry, Dad. I'm going to break up with Jaxon. I'm coming home."
Jaxon's face paled.
He grabbed my phone and ended the call.
"Yuliana, what's this about? You're breaking up with me? We're about to tie the knot!"
I dried my eyes and looked at him with a newfound resolve.
"Didn't you say all this was for our future together?
"Well, I'm telling you now—the wedding's off. Jaxon, we're done."
"In your dreams," Jaxon sneered, holding onto me.
"What's gotten into you? I've been busting my back for us, and now you just want to call it quits?"
"Busting your back or someone else's bed?" I glared at him. "Jaxon, do you even remember what today is?"
Jaxon's brow creased, a clear sign he had forgotten, but he still tried to deflect.
"Forget an anniversary? Big whoop. Aren't I swamped with work, too? What's more important, work or some date on the calendar?"
I was done arguing. "Our lease is up at the end of the month. If you're so keen on staying, figure it out. Rent's 90,000 dollars a year, by the way."
"You're joking, right?"
Jaxon was in disbelief. "You said this was your buddy's place, that we could crash here for free. And now you're hitting me with a rent bill? Ninety thousand dollars? You've got some nerve."
I just shook my head and started packing up my stuff. It was just my sketches and not much else.
Jaxon grabbed my hand. "You're seriously walking out?"
"Do I look like I'm kidding?"
He scowled. "I'm not okay with this."
I shot back, "Oh, what's the matter? Can't stand losing your free maid? Since when have you got a say in what I do?"
He gripped me tight and flung me onto the bed.
Right as we were at a standoff, someone knocked on the door.
Jaxon shot me a look and swung the door open.
In walked a bunch of tall, sunglasses-wearing goons in black.
"Miss, Mr. Sean Jensen has sent us to escort you home."
