Chapter 5

Sierra felt her heart shatter. Lips pressed together, she asked John, "Do you really have to be this ruthless and corner me?"

"I just want you to understand this. Without me, your life is going to be a mess." John walked over and looked down at her. "Of course, if you're that desperate to sell something to get by, you can always ask Pamela for permission."

Pamela pointed to herself. "Me?"

"You're the lady of the house now. What happens to these things is up to you," John said, but his gaze stayed on Sierra, making it clear.

If she refused to play along, someone else would take her place.

Sierra's hands clutched into tight fists as she was engulfed in a wave of humiliation.

"If Sierra just wants something to remember us by, that's fine," Pamela added, fanning the flames. "But if it's just to sell for cash, it's like cheapening all the love she got. If it were me, I could never do that, no matter how broke I was."

John looked at Sierra. "Did you hear that?"

Her only answer was to throw the jewelry to the floor.

Crash!

Without another glance, she stormed out.

"Why is Sierra so upset? Did I say something wrong?" Pamela bit her lip, looking all torn up. "Should I apologize?"

"No need," John said.

Pamela hesitated. "But…"

"Go see if there's anything you don't like here. If there is, I'll have it taken away. From now on, everything in here is yours." John gently ruffled her hair.

"Thank you, John." Pamela hugged him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sierra saw everything.

Even though she knew that the two would make some close contacts, seeing John spoiling Pamela like that still hurt.

He had once told Sierra she was the one he loved most. Now, none of that meant anything.

-

"You're still not finished packing? Planning on staying?" John came up to her, looking down.

Sierra shut her suitcase. "I just wanted to see for myself how a decent person turns into trash."

"Did you get your answer?" John asked.

"I did," Sierra said.

"Then please leave. You're not welcome here," John answered.

For a moment, Sierra almost said, "Aren't you afraid I'll just stay here and never leave, and let Pamela be your hidden mistress forever?"

But then, she remembered that this was exactly what he wanted.

"You don't need to pack Tommy's things. Once you find a place, I'll have them sent over," John said, just as infuriating as ever. "I just hope you don't end up selling his things for your mom's medical bills."

"Not everyone stoops as low as you," Sierra shot back.

John stepped closer, trapping her between his arms. "We'll see. I'm looking forward to watching you try to make it on your own."

Sierra glared at him. She was about to push him away when Pamela appeared.

The moment she saw them standing so close, the smile on Pamela's face vanished. But worried John might notice her jealousy, she quickly forced herself to act casually. "John?"

"What is it?" John turned to her.

"I like everything there. Can I have it all?" Pamela asked, shooting a look at Sierra.

John straightened his back, his firm posture showing how unfazed he was. "If you like it, take it. You don't need my permission."

"But those are all gifts for Sierra. Won't it be wrong for me to take them?" Pamela said, trying to sound conflicted.

"If you really thought it was wrong, you wouldn't have asked in the first place. Since you did, you can stop playing pretend," Sierra snapped, unable to hide her anger. "You're already someone's mistress, why bother worrying about right and wrong?"

Pamela's eyes turned red. "John…"

John's expression instantly turned cold.

He stepped up to Sierra, so close they could feel each other's breath. "Has no one ever told you that the one who isn't loved is the mistress?"

Sierra looked up at him, as if hearing something that shattered all her beliefs.