chapter 2

I stood outside the building all afternoon, waiting until the last bit of sunlight disappeared behind the city.

Cold winds numbed my face.

But I stubbornly stayed.

I needed an explanation from Jericho.

After a long time, an expensive black car finally stopped in front of me.

Jericho rolled down the window and said coldly, "Get in."

I froze in place.

He smirked. "Don't you want to know why?"

That broke me. I stepped forward and pulled the car door open.

Only then did I notice Talia sitting right next to Jericho, leaning close like they belonged there.

Talia waved at me with a teasing smile. "Selly Sander! It's been a while."

Jericho chuckled. "She's my secretary now."

The heater in the car melted the numbness in my skin.

But the chill in my heart wouldn't fade.

"Ask whatever you want," he said.

I was thrown off.

The tone in his voice made me feel like I was the guilty one.

I had so many questions, but when I faced him, the words dried up in my throat.

I stared into the distance and asked softly, "Why did you lie to me?"

Jericho glanced at Talia, and she jumped in first. "Please, I saw you going in and out of bars right after Jericho's accident. How was I supposed to know you weren't just out to get a sugar daddy?"

Jericho smirked. "Talia's got a point. That's why I had to test you."

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

Back then, I only worked at those bars to earn money for Jericho's medical bills.

I locked eyes with him, my voice hoarse. "So? Did your test prove my feelings were real?"

Jericho shrugged, unfazed. "I did find out you were just working. But that alone doesn't mean much."

Haha.

I couldn't help but laugh.

But the more I laughed, the harder the tears came.

For the past three years, I had taken on every dirty, exhausting job just to cover his medical bills.

And all I got in return was his careless, "Doesn't mean much."

I still remember my first week working at the bar. One customer tried to force me to sell my body. I refused.

That guy beat me so badly I was hospitalized for two weeks.

While I lay there, unable to move a muscle, my only thought was that I wasn't earning money, and Jericho's medical bills would pile up.

I didn't even stop to wonder if I'd survive.

Later, that customer tried to settle it privately by offering me a huge amount in compensation.

"Why pretend you're pure? Isn't it money you're after?!"

He threw the cash in my face. In that moment, I wanted so badly to say no.

But I couldn't.

Jericho was still lying in a hospital bed.

So I swallowed my pride and took the money.

I cried the entire night in the hospital.

That was the night I let go of every ounce of dignity I had.

All for Jericho.

Only for him.

But the reality was, he had already woken up, and he watched me endure all that suffering and humiliation.

He refused to show himself and tell me the truth, all for this ridiculous "test" of my feelings.

Was that what he called love?

If so, this love was too heavy for me to bear.