Chapter 3

"Think whatever you want. I will never give you the apartment. Push me any further, and I'll take you down with me," I said.

Claire clearly hadn't expected me to be so unyielding. In fury, she flipped the table over.

"Simon, you've got some nerve! You poor people really know how to scheme. I must have been blind to fall for you!"

Hearing the contempt in her words, I let out a cold laugh.

"If that's the case, then you might as well be with Justin. In your eyes, he's the one who truly matches you."

At that, Claire grabbed my arm. There was anger in her eyes, but also guilt.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Justin and I are just friends! We were only joking with you. You're the one who took it seriously! And look at this dump of an apartment—so shabby and poor. I wouldn't want it even if you gave it to me for free!"

Watching her desperately argue, I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.

This was the woman I had loved at all costs for seven years. Only now did I finally see her true face.

"Whether it's nonsense or not, you know the truth yourself. And I don't want to keep dragging this out anymore. Let's break up."

Claire's expression changed instantly. She stared at me in disbelief.

"What did you say? What right do you have to break up with me? Are you seriously breaking up with me over thirty dollars?"

Even now, she still thought it was because of those thirty dollars.

But I no longer wanted to explain.

"Believe whatever you want. Either way, we're finished. Congratulations. From now on, you don't have to worry about me trying to take your money anymore."

With that, I shook off her hand and went straight into the bedroom.

Behind me came Claire's furious scream.

"Simon! You'd better not regret this!"

…

I tossed and turned all night. Early the next morning, I went to the company and submitted my resignation.

When the HR staff saw me, they immediately began whispering among themselves.

"He's Simon Ashton? Ms. Musk's boyfriend?"

"I wonder how much Ms. Musk gave him. He doesn't even care about his performance bonus!"

"Exactly. That was a car—worth tens of thousands!"

Hearing them, I was stunned.

"What bonus? What car? What are you talking about?"

Seeing my confusion, they exchanged looks.

"Simon, you didn't know? Last year, because of your outstanding performance, the board rewarded you with a car. But Ms. Musk said you didn't lack money, so she stepped in and donated the car on your behalf."

So… I could have had a car.

If I'd had that car, I wouldn't have had to walk to work through freezing winters and scorching summers.

I wouldn't have been unable to afford even the subway, arriving at my desk breathless and drenched in sweat, enduring the strange looks from my coworkers.

And I wouldn't have missed my mother's final moments over thirty dollars for a taxi.

Bitterness spread across my lips. At this moment, I hated myself more than anything. I hated the foolish man who had once been blinded by love.

My resignation still needed Claire's signature to take effect. After leaving HR, I went straight to her office.

The moment I pushed the door open, a shrill, embarrassed scream rang out inside.

Claire scrambled off Justin, her clothes disheveled, her face full of panic.

"Simon, why are you here? Listen to me—Justin hurt his back. I was just helping him massage it!"

I gave a cold laugh, not believing a single word.

Claire was about to say more when Justin spoke up at just the right moment.

"Simon, you're not here to beg Clairebear to get back together, are you?

"Weren't you so tough yesterday? What—now that Clairebear didn't try to win you back, you can't take it anymore? You can't bear to let go of the rich woman you finally managed to cling to?"

At his words, the guilt on Claire's face slowly faded, replaced by arrogance and mockery.

"Simon, I really overestimated you. Sure enough, trash like you could never leave me."