Chapter 3

The tremors gradually subsided, leaving only chaos on the floor.

Liam settled Victoria safely, then belatedly turned around.

His gaze fell on my bleeding hand:

"Sophia, are you alright!"

"How did you manage to hit the glass?"

"Come on, I'll take you to the hospital!"

I pulled my hand away.

Looking at him standing steadily, a cold mockery rose in my throat.

"Your legs certainly recovered quickly."

He stiffened abruptly, his panic impossible to hide, and he mumbled an explanation.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lie to you, I was desperate."

"I truly love you, Sophia."

"But you insisted on breaking up, and I really had no choice but to resort to that."

I didn't want to debate whether he loved me or not.

I slowly raised my hand and picked up the ring Victoria had just delivered.

The cold metal pressed against my fingertips, and against my already tattered heart.

"How many more things are you hiding from me?"

"You said your family went bankrupt, living was tough."

"But I've seen this ring before; it's worth a seven-figure sum."

"What you gave me were cheap trinkets that faded after a few wears and caused me recurring skin allergies."

"Now this sky-high ring is given to Victoria."

"Did you buy it by borrowing everywhere, or did your family overcome their difficulties long ago?"

Seeing that I had exposed him, he stopped pretending.

The last trace of guilt vanished from his face, and he simply admitted it.

"You're right, I lied to you about that too."

"My family's troubles passed a long time ago."

"But what's your status, Sophia, and what's Victoria's status?"

"I can't possibly treat her with the same standards I treat you."

I looked up at him, my eyes filled with disbelief.

"So, ultimately, I'm just not worthy?"

His high-sounding words even made me laugh.

"I only deserve these bargain-bin items, is that right?"

He frowned, full of impatience and disdain.

"What's with this drama, Sophia?"

"Things have been this way for years, haven't they? Just know your place and that's enough."

"Why do you have to compare yourself to Victoria? She comes from a privileged background; she naturally deserves the best of everything."

"Are you clinging to all this because you're just a gold-digger?"

"A gold-digger?"

Those two words were like a sharp knife, piercing deep into my gut.

Years of accumulated grievances broke through my defenses, and I couldn't hold back anymore, bursting into tears.

"Ask me how I've survived all these years!"

"I scrimped on food and clothes, wearing old outfits over and over, juggling two jobs."

"Every penny I saved went to your so-called medical treatment."

"When I got pregnant, I couldn't even afford a proper $2,000 procedure, so I secretly bought cheap medication for an at-home abortion."

"And on my birthday, of all days, I lay alone in the recovery room, in agony!"

"Now you're twisting the facts and calling me a gold-digger?"

Liam froze, speechless, and demanded, "What did you say? You were pregnant?"

I didn't want to look at him any longer. The wound in my palm was still oozing blood.

Warm liquid slowly dripped through my fingers.

Biting my lip, I turned and stumbled out.

Behind me, hurried footsteps followed.

Liam rushed to catch up.

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