Chapter 4

Pausing to take a breath, I went on, "And the year before that, Gregory returned to the country. You four booked out the five-star hotel under my name and celebrated for an entire week.

"Not only did you completely forget all about my birthday, but you still haven't paid the bill for it even now. I had to pay that one-million-dollar bill out of my own pocket.

"As for this year… I won't comment on the others, but you were dressed like a slut as you joined in on his photoshoot. Even a prostitute wears clothing that covers more of their body than what you had on you. What would you feel if I were to take those kinds of photos with another woman?"

Rage instantly blazed to life in Kimberly's eyes. "Zachary Jensen, do you have to be so nasty? Gregory did that photoshoot to capture the most beautiful moments in life. It's a form of artistic expression, an exploration of masculine beauty.

"He only dressed that way to gain a deeper understanding of his own body and to break free of traditional notions. If you don't understand art, don't go around making such ignorant comments."

Rolling her eyes in disdain at me, she continued, "I sacrificed myself for the sake of art, yet you think it's indecent. That shows that not only do you not have a single artistic cell in your body, but your mind is also filthy. That's why you can't accept someone else's excellence."

"Yes, you're so very right. My fiancee stood me up on my birthday to go be with another man, but I should still be the bigger person and forgive her for it. Not just that, but I should also support her pursuit of art without a single complaint. Is that what you're saying?"

"Exactly so! One missed birthday is nothing since you'll get another one next year, but what Gregory's losing out on is his youth, and that's something that one can't regain. He just wants to keep a record of the time when he was at his best. As his friend, I only want to help him achieve that dream. Is that so wrong?"

I nodded in agreement. "Yes, you're absolutely right. Since you love art so much, I won't hold you back any longer. Let's break up."

Kimberly finally began to panic when I suggested breaking up. "Break up? You want to break up with me over such an insignificant matter? Zachary, are you nuts? Gregory is all alone, so how is it wrong of me to help him as a friend?

"Could you not be so ridiculous and unreasonable? Look at the state I'm in now! Just how long do you plan on throwing this tantrum?"

"I'm not throwing a tantrum. You say that Gregory is all alone, but my family isn't here by my side either! Before leaving the country, they made me promise to treat you well. What was it that you told them then? Are you sure that you're actually keeping your word now?"

In a fit of petulant anger, Kimberly turned away, refusing to look at me. "I don't care! You're in the wrong in this matter, and that's that!"

"Fine. Since you insist that I'm in the wrong, there's nothing more I can say. Just focus on your recovery. I'll pay for your medical bills."

With that, I got up to leave.

Dave, who had been silent all this while, finally couldn't take it anymore. He jumped to his feet and landed a harsh smack across Kimberly's face.

Kimberly stared at Dave in shock. "Dad, why did you hit me?"

Rachel hastily shoved Dave away before standing over Kimberly protectively. "What the hell is wrong with you? Why did you suddenly slap Kimmy?"

"What's wrong with me hitting her? She's about to be married soon, yet she still got into an ambiguous relationship with another man! Does she not deserve that slap? If she hadn't run off to be with that bastard, would she have ended up getting hit by that car? She's simply reaping the consequences of her actions! She deserved all this!"

Then, Dave turned to shoot me an apologetic look. "Zach, don't be mad. I'll definitely teach this damn daughter of mine a good lesson on your behalf. I promise that something like this won't happen a second time!"

"You can forgo the lesson." I lifted a hand to stop him from saying more. "I'm willing to forgive her, but under one condition."