Chapter 3

Returning to the rundown apartment my parents had left behind, I stood in front of their framed photographs on the wall, unable to hold back the tears any longer.

After letting my grief spill out, I quickly tidied up the place before heading out to buy some basic supplies. Once I had everything I needed, I settled in.

Lying on the same bed from my childhood, a sense of calm washed over me.

For the first time in a long while, I slept soundly. I didn't have to worry about Eric's moods, or if he was eating well or staying warm.

In my dream, I saw my long-departed parents. I didn't even have the chance to say much before the dream turned bitter again.

Eric confronted me in the dream, accusing me of being cruel to Kayla. He tugged at my sleeve, demanding I apologize to her.

A burst of anger flared up inside me, and just as I opened my mouth to argue back, a sharp ringing pulled me from my sleep.

I groggily answered the phone, and immediately, Eric's furious voice blasted through. "Penny, where have you been?! Did you forget today is the company's signing ceremony? Everyone's showing up in pairs, but my date is nowhere to be found! Are you trying to embarrass me?"

Fully awake now, I pushed the phone away slightly, trying to contain my annoyance. "If you think that's the case, then sure."

"Penny!" Eric's voice rose, followed by the sound of footsteps. He must have moved to another spot to talk.

Sighing, he softened his tone. "Penny, today is a big deal for the company. Can you please stop acting up? Come on. The signing ceremony is about to start. After the party, I'll explain everything to you."

His voice took on a pleading note, and for a moment, my grip on the phone loosened.

Before I could respond, I heard laughter in the background. "Oh, Ms. Poe, you look like a bride today!"

"Really, now that I look closely, Ms. Poe and Mr. Eland make such a perfect pair."

Kayla spoke, her voice tinged with embarrassment, "Stop joking. I-I just put this on randomly."

I stayed silent for a while, and Eric called my name again.

I let out a sarcastic laugh. "Eric, don't you have a date already? Stop contacting me."

Without waiting for a response, I ended the call.

I knew if I didn't hang up, my emotions would spiral out of control. I didn't want to dwell on the past, but the memories of the last five years had already seeped into every part of my life.

So many days and nights were spent loving him. I had never imagined what my life would be like without him.

Back then, he would put me first and had promised me forever. But now, he didn't need me anymore.

Tears fell from my eyes, soaking my pillow as I jolted awake from the memories. The pain in my heart was unbearable.

But before I could process it, the sound of pounding on the door interrupted me.

My first instinct was that it was him, and my body moved before my mind could catch up.

When I opened the door barefoot, I realized how foolish I had been.

"Penny, it's really you! You're back?" Ivy Row from the community committee said cheerfully, giving my shoulder a friendly pat.

"Yeah, Ivy, I'm back. Is there something you need?"

"Oh, right. I almost forgot." Ivy became serious. "Penny, you need to go downstairs. There are several black cars blocking the entrance. They're looking for you. The street is so narrow here, and no one can get in or out because of them."

Frowning, I followed Ivy downstairs and saw Eric's black car parked at the corner.

As soon as I was spotted, the car door opened, and Eric stepped out with a stride.

I turned to leave, but Eric's cold voice rang out. "Penny, stop right there!"

Ignoring him, I quickened my pace, but his bodyguard blocked my way.

"Penny, what's your problem?" Eric caught up to me, slapping me across the face without warning. "You're going too far!"

I tilted my head, looking at him. The love I once felt for him was gone, replaced by indifference.

He paused, then coldly spoke again, "Do you know I left a room full of guests just to come get you? Now, hurry up and come with me."

I didn't want to engage with him, but the street was filling up with curious onlookers.

Although I didn't want to be near Eric, I didn't want to be the center of gossip either.

After weighing my options, I reluctantly walked toward his car in my pajamas.

As the back window rolled down, Kayla, wearing a fancy dress, shyly apologized. "Penny, I'm sorry. I wasn't feeling well, so Eric asked me to sit in the back seat. I'm sorry you're in the front."

Eric followed behind me and, noticing my gaze on Kayla, put on an awkward expression.

He opened the door to the back and tried to smooth things over. "Kayla's not feeling well, so I brought her along for a quick drive. Penny, you don't mind, do you? There's plenty of space in the back; we can all sit together..."

I quickly looked away and got into the front passenger seat. "I don't mind."

Eric, clearly irritated by my response, opened his mouth but said nothing.

Slamming the back door, he coldly commanded, "Drive."

As the car started moving, the neighbors, still curious, followed along.

Eric's expression darkened further. He muttered, "I can't believe people actually live in a place like this. Wearing a designer suit and coming to a dump like this—it's dirtying my outfit."

Hearing his words, I glared at him through the rearview mirror, retorting sarcastically, "Mr. Eland, if you're so high and mighty, you really shouldn't have come here today."

"How dare you!"

Kayla, with a pitiful expression, spoke up, "Eric, is Penny upset because I came with you? Maybe I should switch seats with her."

Eric glared at me through the mirror, snarling, "No, you stay where you are. Let's see what she can do to you!"

I ignored him, closing my eyes to gather my strength for the confrontation ahead.

Since Eric wouldn't let me go easily, I had no choice but to fight back with my own methods.