Chapter 5

Lawrence had never known he was just a substitute. The moment he saw Patrick, many things he hadn't understood before suddenly became clear.

He now understood why Julia had always loved giving him that particular tie. It was the one Patrick wore.

Looking down, Lawrence felt his eyes begin to tear up.

Back at his apartment, still wearing the ruined suit, Lawrence threw the ring he had so joyfully chosen for Julia onto the table. He stared blankly at the moon outside the window.

He remembered the first time he met Julia. It was at a bar seven years ago.

He had been short on money and worked there as a waiter. Then, he met her. Julia had immediately taken an interest in him and hired him as her assistant.

Over time, Lawrence developed feelings for her. Perhaps sensing this, Julia had invited him to become her lover.

At that time, she hadn't made their relationship public, and he thought it was just a matter of time before it happened.

But now, he understood that he would never be her boyfriend or husband.

This realization brought him to a decision—he would leave her.

The next morning, Lawrence woke up early to resign.

As he headed downstairs, he saw Julia. She had come early in the morning. Knowing he would be asleep, she didn't want to disturb him.

She remembered that his favorite breakfast was the stuffed bread from Auburn Street, so she had stood in line to get it for him.

Seeing her, Lawrence didn't react much.

"Morning!" Julia greeted him enthusiastically. "I bought your favorite stuffed bread. I waited in line for ages. My feet are killing me."

"I'm not hungry," Lawrence replied. He bent down to change his shoes, ready to leave.

Noticing his attitude, Julia was furious. "What's with you now? Do you know how long I had to wait for this?"

"I didn't ask you to do this, Ms. Ware. I need to go now. I don't have time to argue."

She grabbed his arm. "Are you mad because of Patrick?"

Lawrence bit his lip and didn't answer.

Julia sneered. "We were never going to get married anyway. Does it really matter that you're just a substitute?"

Her words cut deeply.

Lawrence shook his head. "It doesn't matter, Ms. Ware. It's getting late. I need to go to work. Let go of me."

At the office, Lawrence sat down at his desk and immediately began typing up his resignation letter.

Once printed, he intended to hand it to Julia, but she wasn't in the office. Her driver came by to pick up some things, so Lawrence handed the letter to him.

"Please give this to Julia," he said.

When Julia received the resignation letter, she was initially shocked, but then she just smiled. "Where would he go without me? Lawrence can't live without me. He's just throwing a tantrum because Patrick came back. He'll get over it. Don't worry."

After resigning, Lawrence felt a sense of relief.

He took a cab home but suddenly realized that this apartment wasn't really his home. It was a gift from Julia, or rather, a place she had used to vent her desires.

Now that he had decided to cut ties with her, he didn't want the apartment anymore.

As Lawrence entered the apartment, he immediately noticed someone had been there. He walked quickly into the living room and found a man sitting on his couch.

"Patrick."

"Hi, Mr. Hale."

Patrick was in his apartment, sitting on his couch, with Lawrence's tie placed in front of him.

"This is my home, Mr. Harrison. Don't you think it's inappropriate to just barge in?" Lawrence's tone was hostile as he stared at Patrick.

He hated it when people showed up uninvited.

"Your home?" Patrick laughed and shook the keys in his hand. "If it were your home, how could I have a key?"

He stood and walked over to Lawrence. "Mr. Hale, don't tell me you don't know that this apartment was a gift from Jules to me. I didn't want it, so she gave it to you."

Looking at Patrick, Lawrence pressed his lips together and clenched his fists.

Even this apartment was Patrick's?

"And this tie…"

"Mr. Harrison, do you have a habit of touching other people's things?"

Lawrence reached for the tie, but Patrick easily dodged his attempt. "How do you know this tie is yours and not mine?

"Don't you know? This tie is my favorite, and the collection in your closet is also my favorite. Let me remind you. Jules doesn't love you. She loves me."

With that, Patrick left.

Lawrence was left alone in the apartment. At that moment, he felt that the apartment was a cage. And he was the little sparrow, trapped inside because of his lack of money.

Patrick was right. It was time for him to wake up.

Lawrence threw away all the gifts Julia had given him, except for the ties.

He had already found a new place to live and was ready to move out.

His colleagues knew he was leaving, and some of them were reluctant to see him go. They organized a farewell gathering at a karaoke bar.

At 8:00 pm, Lawrence arrived at Echo Chamber.

As soon as he walked into the private room, his eyes immediately spotted Julia and Patrick sitting beside each other.