Chapter 2

I did not bother explaining myself.

I calmed the panicked waiter and told him to clean up the mess. Then, I turned to leave.

However, Chloe stepped in front of me and blocked my way. She glanced at my simple outfit with disdain and mocked me. “But Aria, with you dressed like this, even if I beg Mr. Lenza to forgive you, I doubt it would work.

“Do you want to borrow a dress? People might think you’re some homeless person sneaking into the party for free food.”

Lucas’s subordinates laughed.

I frowned. “Not everyone cares only about looks like you do.”

They laughed even louder.

Chloe was covered in designer brands. Her makeup was flawless, and her hair was perfectly styled. She looked like a beauty sculpted by money.

Meanwhile, I had spent almost 20 hours in surgery. I came straight from work and did not even have the time to put on lipstick. My face was pale, and my hair was a mess.

Chloe crossed her arms and smiled smugly. “Someone might think you’re actually close to Mr. Lenza if they heard the way you talked.

“You should watch your mouth, Aria. If Mr. Lenza hears you and gets offended, you can forget about begging for mercy. Even Lucas and I won’t be able to help you!”

I checked the time and smiled at Chloe.

“Thanks, but I don’t need your help.”

I could not care less about what they said. After working 20 hours and getting drenched in champagne, all I wanted was a hot bath.

Before I could leave, Lucas grabbed my wrist and pulled me aside. He handed me a fifty-thousand-dollar check.

“Aria, I know life hasn’t been easy for you without me. Take this. It’s my way of helping you.

“Use it to buy better clothes, find a decent job, and rent a nicer place.

“We were once in love. I don’t want to see you struggling like this. In our past life, if it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have… Never mind, it doesn’t matter now.

“What matters is that you move on. Don’t let my absence ruin your life. Don’t give up on yourself, okay?”

I looked up at him with confusion.

I suddenly wondered what I had done in my past life for him to abandon me so easily after being reborn.

Back then, we fell in love in college.

He wanted to be a famous painter, and I wanted to be a doctor.

He told me he was tired of the endless gang conflicts that his father was trapped in. He just wanted to escape.

Since I loved him, I gave up on medical school and ran away with him. I even worked multiple jobs to support his dream.

He kept failing and becoming increasingly discouraged.

Yet, I kept cheering him on despite being tired from work.

I thought that he understood it was because I loved him.

After that, he wanted to travel for an art event. For the first time, I said no because we could not afford the plane ticket. Then, he exploded with anger.

At that time, I had just found out I was pregnant. I could no longer work fourteen-hour shifts just to afford his ticket.

So, I hesitated and asked if he had ever thought about having a child.

He shoved me away harshly.

“Didn’t you say we were too poor to even afford a plane ticket? Now, you want a baby?! I told you before! I hate kids! I don’t want one, especially not with you!”

Frustrated, he tore up his paintings and swore never to paint again.

I could not bear to see him give up on his dream, so I took the portrait he had painted of me. It was the one I cherished the most, and I went from gallery to gallery. I was hoping to sell it for a plane ticket, but I got robbed in the process.

I fought back to protect his precious hands and told him to run with the portrait. In the end, I was dragged into the bushes, assaulted, and killed.

Just before I died, I heard him. He failed to escape. Furious, he threw the painting to the ground and shouted, “This is all your fault, Aria!

“Chloe liked me too! If I had married Chloe instead of you, I would be the leader of the Lenza Group in Ros Aegeles by now! I wouldn’t be some poor, helpless painter!”

Right then, I finally understood. He had always regretted choosing me.

He wished he had married Chloe, the daughter of a businessman connected to Cosa.

So, when he got a second chance at life, he left me without a second thought. I accepted it without complaint too.

I let him go and allowed myself to move on as well.

We both made our own choices, so we should keep our distance.

I smiled faintly.

“Sorry, but I don’t take money from strangers.”

“Stranger? Are you talking about me?”

Lucas frowned. He was clearly unhappy with my indifference.

Chloe caught up and saw the check in Lucas’s hand. She seemed to realize what was happening.

Hiding her anger, she wrapped her arm around Lucas’s waist to show her claim over him.

“Lucas has always felt guilty. Since you won’t take our money, how about something more useful?

“My dad just opened a company, and he needs a janitor. I’ll pay you three thousand dollars a month. That’s better than being a maid, right?

“After all, you can’t even carry a tray properly. Cleaning toilets will, at least, be easy. You can handle that, can’t you?”

I smiled at her calmly. “No need. I’m happy with my job—”

Before I could finish, Lucas’s men interrupted with mocking laughter.

“A maid being happy with her job? You should take the money and job while our boss and Chloe still pity you. Why are you being so stubborn?

“Oh, I get it! You think three thousand dollars is too little, don’t you?

“Out of all the rich families in Ros Aegeles, you chose to work at Mr. Lenza’s place. Then, you just happened to spill champagne on yourself? Are you trying to catch his attention?

“Or did you already know our boss would be here and wanted to get back with him?”

Lucas was stunned. He frowned and looked at me.

Chloe and his subordinates exchanged looks. Then, one of them grabbed my chin.

“Do you really think you’re good enough for our boss?

“You want money? Here, have a drink with me! I’ll give you five hundred dollars!”

He pulled out some cash and tossed it on the floor before forcing the wine to my lips.