Chapter 7

When I saw all the things in my wallet scattered across the floor after Samantha threw it at me, it felt like I was being stripped naked in public.

Samantha continued coldly as she held up the photo, "You didn't choose the photo over what little cash you have in that wallet?"

I looked at the few bills on the floor and answered softly, "Yeah. The wallet's worth a lot more than the photo. After all, that's just an old photo from years ago. It's nothing but a worthless piece of paper."

Only I knew how badly my heart hurt when I said those words. I could not even imagine how disappointed she must have felt hearing those words.

Just as expected, Samantha's face darkened with anger and disappointment as she said, "So, you really do care more about money. In that case, there's no point in keeping this photo!"

With that, she tore the photo into pieces right in front of everyone and flung the scraps in my face.

As I watched the only thing tying us together get shredded apart, my heart was shredded along with it. To her, it might have been nothing more than a photograph. To me, it had been the last piece of my memories.

In an instant, my chest filled with bitterness, but there was nowhere for me to unleash it.

"Don't ever show up in front of me again! It just makes me hate you more every time I see you! I'll make your life a living hell if I ever see you again! I'll do everything you did to me many times over!" Samantha roared as she shot me one last look of hatred before walking away without looking back at me.

I tried not to snivel and forced down the ache in my chest before crouching down to pick up the things scattered across the floor.

After I gathered the money and everything else from my wallet, I looked at the torn pieces of the photo on the floor. Even our faces had been ripped apart. The beautiful memories we once had could never be put back together.

The only thing that had kept me company through all those dark days now lay in front of me in fragments. My hands shuddered as I reached for the scraps, but a gust of wind swept them away and scattered them in every direction.

At that moment, I knew I had lost even the last thing I had left.

Forcing down the pain inside me, I left the banquet hall and went to find my supervisor. "I'm sorry. Something happened just now."

The supervisor looked at me impatiently. "I know. Get changed and leave."

I knew that once Samantha found out about this, I might have to look for another job again. "I'm sorry."

I was just going to leave and not even ask for my pay. Those wine glasses alone were worth more than the few hours of wages I had earned.

"Wait. Here's your pay." The supervisor suddenly called me back and shoved the money into my hand. "Don't ask any questions and just take it. You're lucky this time that the boss isn't coming after you."

I was a little surprised. Had Samantha not complained to the boss about me? They had even paid me. Nevertheless, I nodded and said, "Thank you. I understand."

Whether it had anything to do with her or not, I knew I had to leave as soon as possible.

I walked out through the back door of the hotel. My scooter was parked right behind the building. Just as I reached it, a familiar voice sounded behind me.

"It's so hard to get rid of you, Arthur. You even followed us here. But judging from what happened there, your little act to get close to her didn't work out so well."

Harry's voice came from behind me, and several others appeared with him.

I turned around to look at him. He did not look friendly, and the bodyguards beside him all looked tense. He had never come looking for me without a reason, and it had never been anything good.

I took a few steps back, ready to make a run for it at any moment.