Chapter 5

Brad was taken aback.

Over the years, he had seen me being innocent and obedient. He had also seen me crying hysterically as I harassed him.

I had been naive. I had been seductive. I had cried, smiled, and thrown tantrums in front of him.

However, I had never been as calm and cold as I was then.

He pushed Zoe aside, and he walked up to me indifferently. "Leah, I'm giving you one last chance. Apologize to Zoe."

I looked right at him, and I suddenly laughed.

My laughter was resolute. It was like I was risking everything. "Brad, I told you. I won't apologize. Over my dead body—"

The sound of a crisp slap echoed through the empty hallway.

Brad seemed to be stunned as well after the slap.

Zoe's hand was on her face, and her eyes were widened. She was in a slight disbelief as well.

Everyone but me was taken aback. I raised my hand slowly and cupped half of my face that was hurting. Tears started welling in my eyes.

"Leah—" Brad subconsciously took a step forward, but I immediately stepped back.

He was going to reach out, but he put his hand down again. His expression turned cold again as he said, "Leah, you brought this onto yourself. I wouldn't have raised my hand to you if you apologized just now."

Brad's voice was deep and a little husky. "You know it—I don't hit women. We've been together for years, and I've never laid a finger on you. You shouldn't have slapped Zoe today. I like her. It's not her fault. Leah, just stop. Have some self-respect."

He had always been a man of few words. He had never said that much before.

However, I heard none of it, not a single word.

Tears welled in my eyes. I did my best to hold them back, but I failed.

At last, tears started streaming down my cheeks like they would never stop.

Brad's hands were clenched into fists. His eyebrows were furrowed tightly as well.

Zoe walked up to him and said, "Forget it, Brad. Let's go."

Brad held her hand, but his eyes were still on me.

"Leah, stop trying to give Zoe a hard time. Don't appear before Zoe and I again, either. This is my final warning to you."

He did not take Zoe away after he said that. He just stared at me as if he was waiting for my answer.

However, I said nothing. I just lowered my head a little. It was as if I was trying to shed my lifetime of tears in one go.

After half a minute, Brad left with Zoe.

Right as he turned around, I said softly, "Alright. I'll never appear before you and Zoe again for the rest of my life."

Brad stopped in his tracks for a moment, but it did not take long for him to walk forward with Zoe again. He did not look back, not even once.

Zoe, however, turned around and glanced at me. There were tears in her eyes, but she also had a smug smile.

I put my hand down slowly.

'This is great,' I thought.

I had been entangled with Brad for five years. The love and hate I had for Brad that were almost etched in my bones had finally been eliminated once and for all.

I could leave for good without any distractions and anything to hold onto.