When he saw me actually swipe the card and pay the full penalty, Abraham closed the distance in a few strides and seized my wrist.
"Think carefully. If you walk out today, I will never give you another role. Ever."
His grip sent pain shooting up my arm. I wrenched free.
Abraham's smile turned even colder.
"I'm just worried that after dropping a hundred million, you won't be able to afford your next meal."
"Mr. Simmons doesn't need to worry about me."
I answered calmly, turned around, and walked out without looking back.
This time, he didn't follow.
The moment I stepped off set, I called my father.
"Dad, come pick me up."
When I got home, I didn't hesitate. I packed every piece of clothing into my suitcase.
My gaze drifted to the safe beside the closet.
My heart skipped half a beat.
Inside were all the gifts Abraham had given me over the years.
I let out a bitter laugh, opened the safe, and dumped everything inside into the trash.
Since I'd already decided to leave, there was no reason to keep any of it.
I grabbed my suitcase and was heading for the door when the man standing in my way stopped me cold.
Abraham leaned against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His eyes were dark and unreadable.
"Leaving?"
I hadn't expected him to come after me.
I froze but said nothing.
He frowned. "Just because I stood up for Marina, you're leaving? Is it really that serious?"
When I still didn't answer, he flicked the cigarette to the floor, irritation bleeding into his voice.
"Beryl, Marina saved my life. Was I wrong to help her?"
"You've been picking fights with her, and I've always turned a blind eye. But you actually went so far as to drug her."
"Tell me, didn't you deserve to be punished?"
I shook my head, unable to hold back the question any longer.
"Abraham, I'm genuinely curious. What kind of person do you think I am?"
"Why else would you believe every word out of Marina's mouth without giving me even an ounce of trust?"
If he'd just sent someone to look into it. If he'd just paid the slightest attention.
He would've known that Marina was the one who came after me every single time.
Slashing my gowns. Tampering with my foundation. Using my name to stir up trouble.
I'd endured it all in silence because she'd once saved his life.
But Abraham only grew more displeased.
"I know exactly what kind of person you are. You got with me because of my last name, didn't you?"