Chapter 1

I pushed the door open, and the noise inside the room came to an abrupt halt.

Seeing my pale face, Claire Musk looked annoyed.

"So what if I didn't give you thirty dollars? Who are you trying to scare with that expression, like you're attending a funeral? You're just like those gold-diggers—reeking of greed and utterly vulgar!"

Hearing these insults with my own ears, I felt nothing at all. Not anger. Not sorrow. Not even disappointment.

When Claire walked toward me, I calmly took a step back—avoiding the nauseating scent clinging to her, a mixture that clearly belonged to another man.

Noticing my movement, she let out a mocking laugh.

"What? I say a couple of words, and now you're throwing a tantrum?

"Today is Justin's birthday. If you won't celebrate with us, fine—but do you have to look so miserable? Do you have any manners at all?

"Enough. I'll give you one more chance. Go apologize to Justin right now."

I looked at her matter-of-fact expression, and my chest tightened with both coldness and anger.

"Apologize? For what? This is my home—what manners do I owe anyone here? And as for Justin, he's an outsider. Why does he have to hold his birthday party here, of all places? This is trespassing!"

Claire froze. She clearly hadn't expected me—who had always obeyed her without question—to talk back.

Embarrassed and furious, she raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face.

She was about to start yelling when Justin Miller stepped in with a show of false concern.

"Alright, Clairebear. Simon probably didn't mean it. After all, he asked you for thirty dollars today and didn't get it. It's normal for him to feel upset.

"There's always a gap between poor people and us. You've been together for so many years—surely he must want something from you, right?"

The implication was obvious. Claire's expression darkened immediately.

"Simon, I never thought you were this kind of person. Since you couldn't get money from me directly, you decided to play mind games, is that it?

"Forget it. Today is Justin's birthday, and I don't want to argue with you. Didn't you want thirty dollars? Fine. As long as you apologize, I'll give it to you."

Looking at her condescending stance, I suddenly felt like laughing.

Seven years in love—I had given Claire everything I had.