I lowered my eyes and gave a slight smile.

"Jayden, thank you for arranging for Joel to pick me up at the airport."

"Lilah?"

"I came today because I want to return this to you."

I pulled a small box from my coat pocket and held it out to him. It was a necklace from a high-end brand, the only birthday gift Jayden had ever given me. I had treasured it, wearing it only on my birthdays. But now, I no longer wanted it.

Jayden didn’t reach for it, staying seated with a stony expression, his lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment of hesitation, I placed the box on the table next to him.

"Lilah, your hand..."

The girl closest to me gasped softly, her concern clear in her voice. Jayden’s attention was immediately drawn to my hand. It was covered with cracked skin. Once delicate fingers were now marked by blisters that had hardened into rough scabs, twisted and unpleasant to look at.

I quickly tucked my hand back into the sleeve of my sweater and looked up at Jayden again.

"Jayden, there’s one last thing I wanted to talk about today."

"What is it?" His voice was icy, slicing through the air.

"I must have been a burden to you all these years."

I gave him a regretful smile.

"In the past, I was immature and stubborn. I'm sorry for that."

"It won’t happen again."

With that, I didn't stay any longer and turned to leave. Just as I was crossing the threshold, Jayden called out to me.

"Lilah."

"You better mean it this time. No more false promises."

I paused for a moment but didn't look back.

"Alright."

The night my family fell apart, I was still overseas. My father, who had always been my greatest supporter, was beyond saving. Shortly after, my mother sold everything we owned and flew straight to America to stay with my uncle. All she left me was this small apartment. I don't hold a grudge against her for leaving; in fact, I'm grateful she didn't leave me without a roof over my head.

This bed may be small, but it's a huge upgrade from sharing a cramped basement with seven or eight other people abroad. It's been the best, most restful sleep I've had in the past four months.

Until the doorbell rang, breaking my peace.

When I looked through the peephole and saw Jayden Lewis standing there, I was a bit taken aback. But then I remembered he also owns an apartment in this building. I opened the door and, not giving him a chance to speak, said, "Sorry, I'll move out right away. I'm going to list this apartment with a realtor to sell it."

"Lilah, what are you talking about?"

It might have been my imagination, but Jayden's expression seemed to sour significantly after I said that.

"I'll move today. I promise you won't have to see me again."

With that, I picked up my phone to call a realtor. Just as I started dialing, Jayden suddenly snatched the phone from my hand and smashed it on the floor.

"You've been keeping me at arm's length for four years now. Isn't that enough?"

"You're planning to sell the apartment and move out? Then find yourself in a bind and call me for help late at night, in tears?"

"And eventually move in with me, right?"

"Lilah, can't you act more maturely? Stop playing these games."

I looked at the shattered pieces of my phone on the floor, feeling a sharp pang of loss. For months, even having enough to eat was a luxury. This phone was a hand-me-down from a kind shop owner who took pity on me when I returned home.

I crouched down to gather the broken pieces. Jayden pulled out his wallet and tossed it at me. "Get yourself a new one. I'll cover the cost."

"So you won't have an excuse to cling to me again."

He said that, slammed the door, and left.

I looked at the wallet on the floor, and though I managed a smile, tears started streaming down my face.

In the end, I bought the cheapest phone I could find. He was right; it's best if we owe each other nothing.

I called Joel Vasquez to come and collect Jayden's wallet.

"Miss Rivera, I'm really sorry, but I can't leave the office right now," he apologized. "Could you possibly bring it to the office?"

I considered it for a moment and replied, "Alright, I'll bring it over in a bit."

Joel ended the call and glanced over at Jayden Lewis standing by the large window. He wasn't entirely sure why Jayden had instructed him to speak in that way, but he sensed there was more to the situation than met the eye.

It seemed as though Mr. Lewis wasn't as indifferent to Miss Rivera as he claimed to be.

“Did you get the medication?” Jayden asked.

“Yes, it’s all in here.” Joel quickly handed over the bag. The items inside were clearly meant for Miss Rivera, with ointments for treating wounds and reducing scars.

Jayden nodded in acknowledgment. “You can go now.”

About forty minutes later, the phone call from the front desk was transferred to the secretary’s office. Joel knocked on the door before stepping in, speaking with careful precision.

“Mr. Lewis, Miss Rivera sent a package…”

Before Joel could finish his sentence, the ceramic paperweight on the desk was suddenly flung to the floor with a crashing sound. Joel kept his eyes down, not daring to make a sound.

After a brief silence, Jayden chuckled. “Well, it seems like we haven’t seen each other for a few months, and she’s certainly become bolder.”