Christopher needed money for his leg surgery. To help him with that, I got a gig as a server onboard a lavish cruise without his knowledge.After texting him, I turned to see a tall, regal figure on the cruise. It was so familiar that I was dazed for a split second. A trace of doubt crossed my heart, but I soon shook my head and rid myself of that thought.Christopher had always been wheelchair-bound, and we didn't have money for his treatment. How could he be on this lavish cruise where businessmen and powerful people milled about?I mocked myself for overthinking things. At the same time, I couldn't help thinking that Christopher probably would've been as handsome as that man if he could stand.So, my determination to save up and help him treat his legs grew stronger.Onboard the cruise, the servers all had to wear masks. Aside from the guests, no one would be able to recognize anyone else.I was busy at work when I suddenly heard a commotion on the deck. A man's somewhat drunk
The disdain in Christopher's gaze and tone was evident, and there was a look of scorn on his face that I'd never seen in the past.He thought I was disgusting?I felt like a nail was being driven into my heart. It hurt so badly that I trembled while sucking in a deep breath. I clenched my fists, letting my nails bite into my palms. The pain was nothing compared to the one in my heart, though.I'd worked all hours of the day to get enough money for him to treat his legs. During the day, I would make food deliveries. At night, I would wash dishes at a hotel. I'd done all of this so I could earn 20 thousand dollars as soon as possible.My hands became cracked after everything I'd put them through, and the pain was sometimes so intense that I couldn't sleep at night. I'd never complained, though.It turned out all I was getting in exchange for everything I'd done over the past three years was Christopher's disgust.I was a young woman—how could I not want my hands to feel soft and su
Christopher buried his head in the crook of my neck. He was still lying to me.I pushed him away gently and said, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."As I turned my back to him, I recalled him knocking on my door three years ago while covered in blood. He'd asked me to save him. The blood had come from his leg—he seemed to have been in an accident. He'd looked like a wounded stray.He'd told me he was an orphan and had nowhere to go. Coincidentally, I was also an orphan. I'd been alone since leaving the orphanage. I'd taken him in and cared for him. When the doctors informed us Christopher had to be operated on to walk again, I'd told him I would make it happen. He'd held me tightly and told me no one had ever treated him that well.Now, I knew it was all a lie. Since Mr. Linden Senior's death, Linden Group had undergone a reshuffling of powers. Christopher had pretended to be crippled so he could hide in my apartment and escape his uncles, who were trying to hunt him down. He'd eve
The woman kept screaming at me, but I could only stare at her and watch as her lips parted and closed. I heard her throw expletives my way, but all I could think about was the 50 thousand dollars she wanted as compensation. It was an amount that could drown me.My brain was in such a mess that I couldn't process the matter. Where was I going to get 50 thousand dollars? A wave of despair washed over me. I lowered my head and kept apologizing."I'm so sorry. I'll definitely compensate you if I'm really the one who broke the bracelet. Can we check the surveillance footage to be sure?"The woman exploded at my words. "What the hell do you mean by that? Do you think I'm trying to scam you out of your money, or are you trying to act like this has nothing to do with you? I'm going to complain about this restaurant and expose you online!"The manager hurried over and glared at me. Then, he turned to the woman, looking ingratiating. "We're the ones at fault, so it's only right for us to com
My fee for caring for Christopher, huh?Meredith held out a bank card to me, but Christopher grabbed it and snapped it in half."She's not worth 50 thousand dollars," he said heartlessly. His words tore my heart in half. To him, I probably wasn't worth anything.He wrapped an arm around Meredith and pulled her out of the restaurant, leaving me standing there like my soul had left my body.My contributions and love for him seemed like nothing but jokes, though. He didn't believe in my character and thought I was lying to him. The three years we'd spent together burst like a bubble—memories of the lovely times we'd had flashed in my mind.I saw him holding my hand and telling me we would be together forever once his legs were back to normal. I also saw us lying in bed with our arms around each other as I told him about my troubles.All of that had been lies. Did people like me deserve to be lied to because we were poor? Did we deserve to end up with nothing after giving everything
Even until now, Christopher thought I was lying to him."I remember you being an orphan, Ms. Moore. Where would you have gotten 20 thousand dollars from? Don't tell me you resorted to certain unscrupulous methods for money." It was clear what Meredith insinuated.Christopher's expression darkened at that. Flames of rage burned in his eyes as he snarled, "Where did the money come from?"I asked in return, "Does it have anything to do with you, Mr. Linden?"He'd already scammed me out of my money and feelings. Did he want to continue tormenting me?He barked out a derisive laugh, his gaze turning ruthless. "Fine, then. Be that way."He and Meredith sped off.…Christopher had snapped the bank card for the 50 thousand dollars Meredith wanted to give to me, so the customer with the broken bracelet ultimately brought the matter to the police.However, upon checking the surveillance footage, it was discovered that she was the one who'd caused it to snap. I was absolved of all blame
What right did Christopher and Meredith have to do this to me? I gnashed my teeth, trying hard not to let my tears fall.Meredith ran her hands over my body and shirt. Then, she said smugly, "I guess it's not there. But could you be keeping it in your pants?"She reached for my pants, wanting to pull them off. I cried out in horror, but Christopher's voice drowned it out. "That's enough!"The two people holding me put me down. That was when I knew this was all done on his orders. He was getting back at me. But wasn't I the one who was supposed to be the victim in this whole situation?He cocked an eyebrow and gestured at the liquor on the table. "Finish this bottle, and I'll leave you be."I put my shirt back on and looked at the bottles—they were all hard liquor. He knew I didn't have the strongest constitution, but all he gave me now was an expectant look."Can I leave once I finish all of this?" I asked.He raised an eyebrow in silent agreement. I grabbed a bottle of liquor a
As soon as Christopher's voice rang out, Meredith fell to the floor and quickly pulled her usual tricks—she pretended to be the victim and acted like I'd hurt her.The blood at the corner of my mouth was evidence enough, though.He hurried to me and held me up, his gaze full of heartache. I lowered my eyes, trying to make myself look pitiful. "I'm fine. I'm the third party in this relationship, anyway. I'll accept any trouble that Ms. Tate wants to get me into."I want to go home, Chris. I don't want the clothes, jewelry, or money. All I want is for us to go back to living in that small apartment. Those were the happiest days of my life."This moved him. He caressed my head and said softly, "I'll deal with this. No one can hurt you from now on."When he turned to face Meredith, his gaze was ice cold. "I indulged in you because of my engagement with you. Now, I'm calling it off."This announcement that the engagement between the Linden and Tate families was off made Meredith turn
What right did Christopher and Meredith have to do this to me? I gnashed my teeth, trying hard not to let my tears fall.Meredith ran her hands over my body and shirt. Then, she said smugly, "I guess it's not there. But could you be keeping it in your pants?"She reached for my pants, wanting to pull them off. I cried out in horror, but Christopher's voice drowned it out. "That's enough!"The two people holding me put me down. That was when I knew this was all done on his orders. He was getting back at me. But wasn't I the one who was supposed to be the victim in this whole situation?He cocked an eyebrow and gestured at the liquor on the table. "Finish this bottle, and I'll leave you be."I put my shirt back on and looked at the bottles—they were all hard liquor. He knew I didn't have the strongest constitution, but all he gave me now was an expectant look."Can I leave once I finish all of this?" I asked.He raised an eyebrow in silent agreement. I grabbed a bottle of liquor a
Even until now, Christopher thought I was lying to him."I remember you being an orphan, Ms. Moore. Where would you have gotten 20 thousand dollars from? Don't tell me you resorted to certain unscrupulous methods for money." It was clear what Meredith insinuated.Christopher's expression darkened at that. Flames of rage burned in his eyes as he snarled, "Where did the money come from?"I asked in return, "Does it have anything to do with you, Mr. Linden?"He'd already scammed me out of my money and feelings. Did he want to continue tormenting me?He barked out a derisive laugh, his gaze turning ruthless. "Fine, then. Be that way."He and Meredith sped off.…Christopher had snapped the bank card for the 50 thousand dollars Meredith wanted to give to me, so the customer with the broken bracelet ultimately brought the matter to the police.However, upon checking the surveillance footage, it was discovered that she was the one who'd caused it to snap. I was absolved of all blame
My fee for caring for Christopher, huh?Meredith held out a bank card to me, but Christopher grabbed it and snapped it in half."She's not worth 50 thousand dollars," he said heartlessly. His words tore my heart in half. To him, I probably wasn't worth anything.He wrapped an arm around Meredith and pulled her out of the restaurant, leaving me standing there like my soul had left my body.My contributions and love for him seemed like nothing but jokes, though. He didn't believe in my character and thought I was lying to him. The three years we'd spent together burst like a bubble—memories of the lovely times we'd had flashed in my mind.I saw him holding my hand and telling me we would be together forever once his legs were back to normal. I also saw us lying in bed with our arms around each other as I told him about my troubles.All of that had been lies. Did people like me deserve to be lied to because we were poor? Did we deserve to end up with nothing after giving everything
The woman kept screaming at me, but I could only stare at her and watch as her lips parted and closed. I heard her throw expletives my way, but all I could think about was the 50 thousand dollars she wanted as compensation. It was an amount that could drown me.My brain was in such a mess that I couldn't process the matter. Where was I going to get 50 thousand dollars? A wave of despair washed over me. I lowered my head and kept apologizing."I'm so sorry. I'll definitely compensate you if I'm really the one who broke the bracelet. Can we check the surveillance footage to be sure?"The woman exploded at my words. "What the hell do you mean by that? Do you think I'm trying to scam you out of your money, or are you trying to act like this has nothing to do with you? I'm going to complain about this restaurant and expose you online!"The manager hurried over and glared at me. Then, he turned to the woman, looking ingratiating. "We're the ones at fault, so it's only right for us to com
Christopher buried his head in the crook of my neck. He was still lying to me.I pushed him away gently and said, "I'm tired. I'm going to bed."As I turned my back to him, I recalled him knocking on my door three years ago while covered in blood. He'd asked me to save him. The blood had come from his leg—he seemed to have been in an accident. He'd looked like a wounded stray.He'd told me he was an orphan and had nowhere to go. Coincidentally, I was also an orphan. I'd been alone since leaving the orphanage. I'd taken him in and cared for him. When the doctors informed us Christopher had to be operated on to walk again, I'd told him I would make it happen. He'd held me tightly and told me no one had ever treated him that well.Now, I knew it was all a lie. Since Mr. Linden Senior's death, Linden Group had undergone a reshuffling of powers. Christopher had pretended to be crippled so he could hide in my apartment and escape his uncles, who were trying to hunt him down. He'd eve
The disdain in Christopher's gaze and tone was evident, and there was a look of scorn on his face that I'd never seen in the past.He thought I was disgusting?I felt like a nail was being driven into my heart. It hurt so badly that I trembled while sucking in a deep breath. I clenched my fists, letting my nails bite into my palms. The pain was nothing compared to the one in my heart, though.I'd worked all hours of the day to get enough money for him to treat his legs. During the day, I would make food deliveries. At night, I would wash dishes at a hotel. I'd done all of this so I could earn 20 thousand dollars as soon as possible.My hands became cracked after everything I'd put them through, and the pain was sometimes so intense that I couldn't sleep at night. I'd never complained, though.It turned out all I was getting in exchange for everything I'd done over the past three years was Christopher's disgust.I was a young woman—how could I not want my hands to feel soft and su
Christopher needed money for his leg surgery. To help him with that, I got a gig as a server onboard a lavish cruise without his knowledge.After texting him, I turned to see a tall, regal figure on the cruise. It was so familiar that I was dazed for a split second. A trace of doubt crossed my heart, but I soon shook my head and rid myself of that thought.Christopher had always been wheelchair-bound, and we didn't have money for his treatment. How could he be on this lavish cruise where businessmen and powerful people milled about?I mocked myself for overthinking things. At the same time, I couldn't help thinking that Christopher probably would've been as handsome as that man if he could stand.So, my determination to save up and help him treat his legs grew stronger.Onboard the cruise, the servers all had to wear masks. Aside from the guests, no one would be able to recognize anyone else.I was busy at work when I suddenly heard a commotion on the deck. A man's somewhat drunk