Chapter 2. Begging

Miley's POV.

It had been a year since my grandfather, Arnold, passed away. After his death, I was forced to leave the house we once lived in—his children reclaimed it. That’s why I now rent an apartment in Bulacan, close to the company where I work. As for my mother, who left me years ago to be with another man, I no longer knew where she was.

My expression darkened the moment I spotted Jackson’s sedan parked outside my apartment. With a sigh, I parked my car right behind his, got out, and headed up the stairs. But before I could reach my door, Jackson was already blocking my way.

“Milli, please… let’s talk. Let’s fix this,” he begged, reaching out to grab both my arms. I immediately brushed his hands away.

“There’s nothing left to talk about, Jack. Do you really think you can excuse what I saw?” I snapped, forcing myself to meet his eyes. But in the end, I looked away. I couldn’t bear it.

“Y-yes, I made a mistake. Please forgive me. Let’s fix our relationship—please?” His voice carried desperation, but I refused to be deceived again. Wasn’t there a saying? Once a cheater, always a cheater.

“Leave, Jack. Please? Go back to Chelsea—after all, you chose her over me.” My tone was sharp, but no tears came. Perhaps I had run dry earlier.

“I don’t love Chelsea, Milli. Please believe me. It just happened—she was always there when you weren’t. Whenever you missed our dates—”

“So now you’re saying you cheated because I wasn’t enough for you? Is that it, Jackson?” I glared at him, my eyes burning with contempt. If looks could kill, he’d have collapsed right there.

He dragged his palms across his face, at a loss. “That’s not what I meant, Milli. I just… I wouldn’t have done it if I had more of you. Please, I’m sorry. I can’t lose you, Milli. Please.” His voice cracked as he clutched my hand tightly.

I thought my tears had already run dry, but they welled up again, stinging my swollen eyes. “I know I made a mistake, but I’ll make it right. J-just give me another chance,” he pleaded.

A sob escaped, and I quickly covered my mouth to stifle it. “I-I’m sorry, Jackson. B-but I can’t forgive you. I’m choosing myself over this relationship. Because if I pretend nothing happened, I’ll only end up despising you more,” I whispered between my tears.

Slowly, I pulled my hand from his grip and turned away. But before leaving, I faced him one last time. “I want you to be honest—with me, and with yourself, Jackson. You’re only asking for forgiveness because you got caught. Not because you’re truly sorry.” With that, I left him standing outside.

Inside my apartment, I dropped my bag on the sofa and went straight to the kitchen to make coffee. I had no appetite, but I needed something to fill the emptiness in my stomach.

Cup in hand, I settled on the sofa and pulled out my tablet to review tomorrow’s agenda. I might be broken, but I still had a job to do.

My new boss’s name was Clifford Alfonso—the newly appointed CEO of the Alfonso-Bueno Group of Companies, a real estate and tech conglomerate. There was no photo attached to the brief, only a background summary so I wouldn’t be lost when I met him tomorrow.

He was younger than my former boss—only forty-three, and still single. I nodded to myself. Not surprising. A man so absorbed in his work probably had no time for love. Still, I wondered—was he single because he wasn’t attractive?

I sighed, shutting the tablet. Tomorrow I would see for myself. Tomorrow I would find out if he was kind, like my old boss, or strict and cold. I drained the last of my coffee, washed the cup, and headed for my bedroom.

As I prepared my clothes for tomorrow, my gaze fell on the things Jackson had given me. Slowly, I pulled a box from the bottom of my cabinet and opened it. Inside was a pair of white sneakers—part of a matching set. Couple’s shoes. I smiled faintly, though sorrow tinged the curve of my lips. I’d rarely worn them, only on the rare out-of-town trips we managed to take together. We even had matching shirts to go with them.

I laid the sneakers on the bed and my eyes caught the life-sized teddy bear he’d given me for our last anniversary. It still sat at the head of my bed, because I liked having it beside me.

The sight made my chest tighten, my throat ache as memories came flooding back. Anger and pain warred inside me, leaving me momentarily stunned.

For a brief moment, regret pricked at me. Questions swarmed my mind. Was I really ready to throw away four years together? My body weakened, and I sank onto the edge of the bed, confused and torn.

I lay down at last, hugging the teddy bear to my chest. Closing my eyes tightly, I let the happy memories resurface. Jackson wasn’t all bad. He just ruined everything the moment he betrayed me. What I couldn’t understand was why I couldn’t forgive him. Maybe because the pain he caused ran far too deep.