Chapter 9
The dinner was a success.
Howard handed over full control of the
project to Jake, and we finalized our collaboration right at the dinner.
While Jake was too busy to even catch his breath, Jeff wouldn’t stop pestering me about my situation with Connor.
I couldn’t handle his constant badgering, so I told him everything.
But I didn’t mention the child.
Given Jeff’s temper, if he found out I lost my child because of Connor, he’d probably want to kill Connor.
Even though I withheld that, Jeff still teared up when he saw the scars on my arm.
He said, “I knew something was up when you came back and kept wearing long sleeves. You were so fashion–conscious
before.
55% 15:22
1/9
534
Chapter 9
“When we get back, I’ll take you to have reconstructive surgery. Don’t worry, you won’t have a single scar left.”
I raised my hand to touch his head. He flinched but didn’t move away.
Just like when we were kids, I ruffled his hair, sighing softly, “Silly little brother.” Connor’s call came at midnight.
I had no idea how he got my new number, but he called my work phone.
“Tara…”
His voice trembled, sobbing from the moment I answered.
He continued, “I had no idea it was you that day.
“I deserve to die. I heard your voice, but I thought, how could you be there?
“If I had just gone down to take a look, I could’ve saved you and the baby.”
But there were no “what–ifs” in life. No
55% 15:22
2/9
3:22
534
Chapter 9
amount of his pitiful sobbing would ever bring my child back.
He said he didn’t cheat on me.
Katie was just a friend from the orphanage he grew up in.
Back then, everything in the orphanage was fought over. Katie was weak, so he always took care of her. It became a habit.
Later, he encouraged her to go to college, promising her that if she could get in on her own merits, he’d let her live with him and find her the best job.
But what he didn’t know was that Katie
wanted more.
The torn stockings, the provocative remarks, and the manipulative tears were all her staking her claim.
But Connor didn’t understand.
He confessed that the reason he acted so superior was that I intimidated him.
55% 15:22
3/9
534
Chapter 9
My competence in work far surpassed his, so he was scared.
He was scared that I would leave him. So, he tried to maintain control of the
relationship by putting on airs.
He said he never meant to hurt me so deeply.
In the end, he apologized over and over.
But I just listened, quietly, not saying a word.
A relationship built on inequality was doomed to fail.
Before I hung up, he asked, in the softest voice, “Do you still love me?”
“No,” I replied without hesitation.
In that imbalanced relationship, my love
had been drained away.
By the time Katie appeared, the love had already faded.
When the last remnants of that love
55% 15:22
4/9
3:22
Chapter 9
534
0000
burned out, we were bound for a complete
end.
Connor ended up in the hospital after being beaten up.
I only found out when Katie came to confront me, demanding answers.
From the way Jeff had been acting suspiciously the last few days, it wasn’t hard to connect the dots.
I denied everything in front of Katie, daring her to show me any proof.
Furious, she stormed off.
As soon as she was gone, I smacked Jeff on the back and praised him, “Well done.”
Jeff straightened up proudly. “I didn’t hit him enough. Should’ve dealt with the mistress while I was at it.”
I smiled and later told our dad about it.
He vowed to give Jeff a good beating.
It was his job to discipline his son.
55% 15:22
5/9
3:22
534
2003
Chapter 9
Then, I quietly hired someone to rough up
Katie.
With that business done, I wasted no time booking a flight back.
It was my first time pulling something like that, and I felt a bit guilty.
Plus, the assessment work there was finished.
Before boarding, I ignored the reluctance in Jake’s eyes and waved goodbye with a smile.
Six months after returning, Eloise messaged me with unexpected news. The company had gone bankrupt.
We had stayed in touch over the months, and she had kept me updated on a lot.
Katie’s father had shown up, and she’d been secretly funneling company funds to pay off his debts. When Connor found out, it was already too late.
She had also alienated several of the clients
55% 15:22
6/9
Chapter 9
I had worked so hard to win over and leaked company secrets.
Connor, unwilling to see her go to prison, sold his house and car to fill the financial gaps, even using some of the company’s liquid assets.
Six months ago, that project was their last hope.
But because of the reason I could never forgive him for, Connor gave it up.
The company could have survived a while longer, but Katie sold a project bid to a rival.
The situation could not be saved.
It wasn’t until then that Connor realized Katie wasn’t as innocent as she appeared. She was manipulative and selfish.
He reported her to the police, and no amount of begging from Katie could change that.
She was sentenced to twenty years. The
55% 15:22
7/9
Chapter 9
best twenty years of her life was gone.
Connor was drowning in debt. He had two options. Rise from the ashes or work
himself to death.
But rising again was no easy feat.
After my chat with Eloise, I received an unexpected phone call.
It was from Jake.
In the six months since I’d left, he hadn’t called or messaged me once.
I bit my lip nervously and pressed the answer button.
“Hello?”
“It’s me.”
His voice was just as soothing as ever.
“I know. Jake,” I replied.
“Good. You still remember me,” he
chuckled.
55% 15:22
8/9
Chapter 9
I felt my face heat up but said nothing.
Then he asked, “I’m coming to the Writgate for a vacation in a few days. Would you be willing to show me around?”
My heart skipped a beat.
“Of course,” I answered, excitement bubbling inside me.
The evening breeze was gentle, and I waited eagerly.
The End.
