Once she got into a big company, she saw more of the world’s glamour. And with me, she grew more impatient by the day. By the time she graduated, she was constantly nitpicking and criticizing me. It hadn’t even been a year since then, but I could barely remember what it felt like to hold her.
She was from a rural village. Everyone back home knew about me. They all say I was hardworking, dependable, kindhearted, and willing to support her. I knew she hadn’t broken up with me yet, partly because of that. She didn't want people gossiping, calling her ungrateful.
But deep down, I knew her heart wasn’t with me anymore. It was with Dwayne. He was older, but he had money. Even though he was divorced, his wealth put him miles ahead of me.
Breaking up was only a matter of time. The truth was, I just couldn't swallow it.
Sometimes I wondered if maybe I was being paranoid. After all, I hadn’t caught her in anything concrete. I’d never worked in a big company, so maybe I just didn't understand how things worked. Maybe she really had no choice but to entertain clients like that.
As my anger cooled, I made a decision. I would hold on. I would try to protect what we had.
I didn’t sleep that night. At six in the morning, someone knocked on the door.
Jackson's POV
I got up to answer the door. But standing there was none other than Dwayne.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped.
Yet he ignored me, leaning forward to call inside. “Penelope, you awake yet?”
I moved to shut the door, but he had already stepped in, blocking the entrance. “I’m here for Penelope, not you.”
“What are you doing here?” Penelope appeared, still in her pajamas.
With a smug smile, Dwayne brought his hand from behind his back, revealing a gift. “I meant to give this to you yesterday, but we were having such a good time at dinner that I forgot. Remember how I ruined your stockings last time? These are the same kind. You’ll love them.”
Stockings? My stomach turned. She had never once worn stockings around me. And yet here he was, openly admitting he had torn hers before, standing right in front of me, while handing her a new pair.
I caught the faint blush on her face, the shy smile that went with it.