"Millicent? She just hid away in her hometown. Didn't check on me, didn't care. Couldn't even bring me a hot meal."
"So why should I stay with her?!"
He spoke with such righteous conviction, such passionate certainty.
As if he wasn't just convincing his parents—but himself.
Whispers rippled through the crowd of relatives and neighbors.
"Well, when you put it that way, maybe the Simmons girl really wasn't good enough. Isn't the whole point of dating to have someone who actually cares for you?"
I stopped in my tracks. A bitter lump lodged itself in my throat.
How laughable.
None of them knew—I had planned to stay in Capital City.
The opportunities here were endless. My dream job was everywhere I looked.
But Kevin wanted to start his business, and his parents were worried sick.
His parents were getting older. More than anything, they wanted their son to settle down somewhere close.
To support his dream of starting a business, I abandoned my own plans.
I took an ordinary job and stayed behind in his hometown to look after them.
During the hardest years of his startup, every paycheck I earned went straight to him—every last cent. I lived off his parents, eating their food, sleeping under their roof.
When they got sick, when anything needed handling, I was the one running around taking care of it.
And now, he was telling me he valued another woman's company more.
My nails dug into my palms without my realizing it.
The moment I walked in, Alma hurried over and took my hands.
"I'm so sorry, Millicent. Kevin's just—he's lost his mind. Let me talk some sense into him..."
Kevin's agitation spiked.
"Millicent, you're the one who brought up breaking up! Tell them!" He jabbed a finger toward his parents. "Tell them Camille isn't a homewrecker!"
Ronald James had heard enough. His foot connected with Kevin's chest, sending him sprawling.
"You worthless bastard!"
"Throw that woman out and apologize to Millicent. Now. Or you can get the hell out of this house."
Kevin curled on the floor, too winded to get up.
Camille let out a sharp yelp and scurried over, helping him to his feet. Then she lifted her chin, defiance glittering in her eyes.
"Mr. James, Mrs. James—this is the modern age. People fall in and out of love. Kevin doesn't have feelings for Millicent anymore."
Her gaze slid toward me. Subtle. Calculated.
My stomach dropped.
And then, just as I feared, she raised her voice.