Chapter 5

"Sarah said being with you every single day makes her sick."

"It's just that the incident was too high-profile back then. She couldn't just dump you without people talking behind her back."

Marcus walked over, looking down at me.

"Stephen, if you know what's good for you, pack your bags and leave."

"Don't wait for Sarah to kick you out. It’ll just be embarrassing for everyone."

Looking at him, I suddenly laughed.

"What are you laughing at?" Marcus frowned.

"I'm laughing at how stupid you are."

I stood up. I was half a head taller than him, and he instinctively took a step back.

"Do you really think Sarah loves you?" I stared straight into his eyes.

"She was willing to ruin my life just to get her way. What makes you think she won't do worse to you when she’s done playing with you?"

Marcus’s face turned pale. "What do you mean?"

"She used a few thugs to destroy me. Do you honestly think she’ll use gentler methods on you when she wants to get rid of you?"

I picked up my toolbox and walked out without looking back.

At the door, I paused, but I didn't turn around.

"Good luck, Marcus."

Once out of the apartment building, I dialed a number at the very bottom of my contact list—a number I had only looked at in the dead of night.

The phone rang twice before a voice answered.

"Stephen?"

The woman's voice sounded surprised.

"Aurora."

I leaned against the brick wall, looking up at the gray sky.

"Can you do me a favor?"