Chapter 4

"And the year before that year, Bianca had just come back from overseas. You all used my five-star hotel and threw her a party for a week straight. Not only did you forget about my birthday, but none of you even paid the bill. I had to settle that million dollars out of my pocket.

"As for this year, I'm not even going to talk about the others. You dressed up like that just to pose in her photoshoot. Even a streetwalker dressed more decently than her. What would you think if I did the same with another man?"

Zachary's face contorted in anger. "Lindsey Ford, could you not be so disgusting with your words?

"Bianca did it to celebrate her body as a form of art. It was about confidence and breaking free from the chains. She wore that to explore her own body. You wouldn't understand it."

He looked at me with disgust before continuing, "I was contributing to art. If you think it's disgusting, it's because you know nothing about its beauty. Not only that, you're just jealous and can't take it when someone else's outstanding."

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, you're right. I should be a saint and forgive my boyfriend for pursuing his artistic awakening instead of spending time with me on my birthday. Is that right?"

"Exactly! You'll still have your birthday next year, but this was Bianca's only time to capture her prime youth. Once it's gone, it's gone. I was just helping a friend chase her dreams. What's wrong with that?"

"You're absolutely right," I said approvingly. "If that's how much you love art, then go for it. We're done."

The second I said it, Zachary panicked. "Are you breaking up with me? Over this stupid thing?

"Have you gone crazy? I helped Bianca as a friend because she had no one else. What's the big deal? Can you stop the nonsense? I'm already lying on a hospital bed, and you're still acting up like this?"

"I'm not acting up at all. You kept going on about how Bianca was alone, but what about me? My parents are overseas, too. Do you remember what you promised them before they left? Have you held up to any of that?" I questioned.

Zachary just looked away stubbornly. "Whatever. This is still your fault!"

I gave him one last look. "If you insist, then I have nothing more to say. Rest well. I'll pay for your hospital bills."

Just as I stood up to leave, Zachary's father, Daniel Murdock, slapped Zachary across the face.

Zachary stared at his father in disbelief. "Dad! What the hell!"

Susan rushed forward, pushing her husband aside. "Have you lost your mind? Why did you hit him?"

"Serves him right!" Daniel roared. "He's about to get married, but he's still out there messing around with other women. Doesn't he deserve that slap?

"If he hadn't been chasing that woman around, would he be lying in this hospital bed right now? He brought this on himself!"

Daniel turned to me and said apologetically, "Don't be angry, Lindsey. I'll make sure this idiot learn his lesson. I swear that this will never happen again."

I raised my hand to stop him. "Forget about teaching him a lesson. If you really want me to forgive him, I have one condition."