Chapter 3

Lucinda had given me this card as a way of giving back after she'd made it big. It was just that most of the money in it had gone toward our daily expenses.

Freezing it was her way of forcing me to come back.

I was extremely glad that I'd taken Ms. Hoffman's offer early on, because the new bank account held the bonus she had given me for my promotion and raise.

I would no longer have to depend on Lucinda to get by.

The next day, while I was at the cafe finishing up the paperwork, I saw Owen and Lucinda.

I got up to leave, but Owen came over to say hello.

I just didn't get it. I'd made it plenty obvious that I was fed up, so why would he keep pestering me?

Amid the pushing and shoving, the documents fell to the floor.

Owen looked at the top page in surprise. "Overseas transfer letter? Warren, you're going to the overseas branch?"

I snatched the documents back.

Lucinda looked at me in astonishment. "You're leaving?"

Owen furrowed his brow. "Warren, did you find out that I also want to apply for this branch, so you want to go there and throw your weight around?"

I was stunned.

Lucinda frowned and asked, "Warren, you saw that Owen went abroad before, so now you're planning to follow in his footsteps? Working in that branch is exactly what Owen has always dreamed of. What are you trying to do by going there? Withdraw your application now!"

I gripped the transfer letter tightly.

"No way! Lucinda, I don't get it. Why does he get to chase his dream, but when I want the same thing, it's a problem? Besides, can you really bear to let him leave?"

Lucinda hesitated for a moment before replying, "I shouldn't hold him back. He didn't come back just to be tied down by me. I can go visit him whenever I want, and I'll always respect his freedom."

My chest tightened. "So, you're not angry that he dumped you back then?"

Lucinda closed her eyes for a moment. "He had his reasons. Was I really supposed to make him stay and suffer alongside me? Warren, opportunities to transfer to the overseas branch like this don't come often.

"Be a dear and drop it. I'll have someone arrange a cushy job for you here. Stop competing with Owen all the time."

I slapped her across the face. Owen cried out in shock and stood between us, grabbing my arm.

"Warren, how could you hit Lucinda?" he asked. "I won't go. Warren, don't fight with Lucinda because of me. I—"

I slapped him across the face too, cutting him off.

"Just what are you two talking about?" I asked, carefully putting the transfer letter away.

Lucinda shielded Owen behind her. "Have you lost your mind?"

I eyed them coldly. "I've made the decision to leave, and nothing you say will change anything."

Then, I glanced at Owen. "Don't pull that crap in front of me again. It makes me sick."

With that, I strode out of the cafe under the stunned gazes of the customers.

Lucinda seemed a bit taken aback as she watched me go, but then she gritted her teeth.

On the way to deliver the documents, I had just stopped at a red light when something slammed hard into my car from behind.

I braked frantically, but the car behind seemed not to notice it had hit mine. I honked wildly, but the car only drove faster.

My car crashed into the wall. I was flung halfway out the window. My chest was crushed between the airbag and the seat, making it hard for me to breathe.

There was hardly anyone around, so no one saw the crash.

My phone was gone—flung off to god knows where.

Finally, the door of the car behind me opened. Owen staggered out, reeking of alcohol, and made a phone call.

Before long, Lucinda pulled up in her car.

Fighting back the pain, I shouted, "Lucinda, help me! Lucinda! I'm over here!"

Owen sat slumped on the ground, shouting loudly.

Lucinda looked back and forth between me and Owen. I was drenched in blood, while he had nothing but a small scrape on his ankle.

Gritting her teeth, she walked past me and hauled Owen to his feet.

"Lucinda!" I shouted with the last bit of oxygen left in my chest. "Save me first! Or at least call 911 for me! I-I can't breathe!"

"You can drop the act," Lucinda said darkly. "I'll drop Owen at the hospital and be back with an ambulance before you know it. Must you compete with him over everything? Can't you see he's in bad shape?"