chapter 4

I went back to my cramped rental.

I curled up under my patched quilt.

The howling wind outside drowned out my sobs.

I don't know when I fell asleep—just that Jericho didn't show up in my dreams for the first time that night.

When I woke up the next day, I gathered everything that had to do with Jericho.

After his car accident, plenty of his stuff was left with me.

Even our graduation photo.

I ran my fingers over his face in the picture.

That was when his startup had just begun.

It just so happened that my father, whom I hadn't seen in over a decade, left me an inheritance before he died.

I handed all of it to Jericho to build his company.

In the photo, he had his arm around me, smiling so brightly.

I still remember him telling me that his future included me.

He said everything he did was for me to have a better life.

And I believed him without a doubt.

But in the end, it was all a delusion.

I took his things and, relying on memory, found his house.

Standing at the door, I heard strange, faint noises coming from inside.

In that instant, it felt like all the blood in my body rushed straight to my head.

I forced myself to calm down and knocked.

Moments later, Jericho appeared, half-dressed, his face twisted with anger.

"Where the hell were you last night?! I've been looking everywhere for you. Can't you be more considerate?"

I lowered my gaze, avoiding his gaze, shoved the box into his hands, and turned to leave.

He grabbed my wrist, and the contents of the box spilled onto the floor like scattered snowflakes.

"I'm talking to you! Where were you last night?"

I sneered, my eyes drifting to the couch where Talia was on the sofa in her sexy slip dress, and shot back, "And you? Were you really looking for me last night?"

Not a trace of guilt crossed his face.

"I was exhausted from looking for you. Can't I take a break? You're the one causing trouble, being so childish.

"Talia? She's just here to deliver company files. You're too sensitive."

I almost laughed out loud.

Does delivering files call for such a revealing dress? And removing her stockings?

It hit me then that Jericho not only didn't love me, but he also took me for an idiot.

I said slowly, "Jericho, let's break up."

His expression stiffened, and then the anger hit.

"What the hell is wrong with you? It's nothing, and you're making it a big deal! Talia and I are just colleagues. Stop looking at us with that filthy suspicion of yours!

"Or is this still about that test? I've told you, I only listened to Talia because I wanted to see if you really loved me. I didn't mean—"

I interrupted him. "You got your answer. I don't love you."