The pool water was stained mostly red.

I stared at the screen for ten long seconds, then grabbed my car keys and left.

When I arrived at the bathhouse’s private room, shrill laughter greeted me.

Cassandra lounged in a chair, wrapped in a towel, half a glass of fruit wine dangling from her hand, a smug smile curving her lips.

Her friends erupted into laughter the moment I opened the door.

“Look who it is—the great lover Lucas! So quick! Didn’t you run a red light?”

“See, Cassandra? I told you he couldn’t let you go.”

“Just pour some red wine in the pool next time; you’ll trick him even faster!”

Cassandra stood and sauntered over, her tone light, almost teasing.

“Since you’re so worried about me, I’ll forgive you this time.”

I said nothing, my gaze fixed firmly on her.

The door opened again. Derek stepped in, carrying a bag of milk tea. He walked straight to Cassandra, producing a cup. His voice was honeyed, smooth enough to drip:

“Cassandra, iced drinks aren’t good for you during your period, so I ordered it room temperature.”

She took it, her smile instantly softening, a touch of shyness coloring her cheeks.

“Thank you, Derek, you’re so thoughtful.”

The girls around them whispered and giggled, eyes wide with envy.

“Look at Derek! So considerate!”

“Exactly! Better than a serious boyfriend who’d just make Cassandra angry.”

“Cassandra, you really need to rethink—he might not be the best match!”

Derek’s gaze flickered toward me. He gave a flawless smile, but his eyes were sharp, venomous under the surface.

“Lucas, you’re here too?” His tone was familiar, casual, yet his gaze lingered pointedly on my clothes before settling on my watch.

“Such good taste in this outfit… and this watch. Cassandra always has an eye for fine things.”

Soft words, like knives cloaked in silk. Every compliment on items I once cherished—some of which Cassandra had given me during our engagement—was a subtle reminder: they had perhaps already passed through her hands, now shaded by another man.

Cassandra seemed blissfully unaware. Flattered by Derek, she took his arm and glared at me with mock severity.

“Lucas’s taste is truly awful. If it weren’t for my guidance, our wedding room would have looked ridiculous. He’s so petty and inconsiderate.”

Derek placed a hand gently on hers, his expression calm and understanding.

“Cassandra, don’t say that. Lucas’s just conservative… a little careless. He actually loves you very much.”

Each word he spoke “excused” me, yet simultaneously tightened the noose. My position felt more desperate, more exposed.

My best friends shook their heads quietly. I watched the scene unfold, detached.

Cassandra nestled against Derek, smiling genuinely, her dependence on him clear. And suddenly, I wanted to laugh—not at them, but at myself. Laugh at my gullibility. Laugh at my endless tolerance, my repeated willingness to believe the lies.

Derek’s voice broke the moment, calm, measured.

“Lucas, I understand why you argued with Cassandra.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Because I lent you something without asking?”

He looked at me squarely, unflinching, without a hint of guilt or evasion.

“Don’t worry,” Derek said, his tone firm. “I’ll return everything to you tomorrow.”

Then he turned to Cassandra. His eyes softened instantly, filled with endless care and consideration.

“I only ask that you don’t get angry with Cassandra again. Stop being so petty.”

The words were smooth, flawless—perfectly crafted to charm.

Cassandra’s eyes glimmered with a clear, watery light I had never seen before. Tenderness radiated from her expression, the kind I had never witnessed directed at me.

“Derek, don’t be like this,” she murmured.

“You’re financially strapped, so take the things and use them. There’s no rush to return them. Lucas and I still have a long way to go before our wedding.”

Chilling. Not a harsh word, but far more piercing.

I couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Every second felt like cruel punishment. I turned and left silently.

Behind me, my friends whispered.

“See? I was right. He must be jealous again.”

“That’s right. Such a small temper… only Cassandra could tolerate that.”

Cassandra’s voice floated casually through the dimly lit hallway.

“Don’t worry about him. I’ll calm him down with a few words tomorrow.”

The air was heavy with the cloying scent of cigarettes, alcohol, and incense. I walked straight to the exit without hesitation.

---

The next morning, while having breakfast, my phone vibrated.

A message had appeared in the homeowners’ group chat—from a girl I barely knew.

"Hello, are all the items in 801 really free?"

I replied curtly, “Yes.”

Then I sent all the photos I had taken the night before—furniture, appliances, ornaments, even curtains and carpets—one by one. The notification beeps kept coming, confirming each upload.

After breakfast, I arrived at the bridal chamber and heard a commotion inside.

Derek was directing several workers, assembling a large Italian-style round bed. He moved casually, relaxed, as if he owned the room outright.

Cassandra hurried over to me, smiling brightly. She took my arm.

“Lucas, you’ve arrived just in time! Derek ordered the Italian-style round bed for us—it just arrived. Remember to pay for it later.”

Her eyes curved sweetly, matter-of-fact. I slowly pulled my arm away, my voice low but firm.

“He bought the bed. Why should I pay for it?”

Her smile froze. Her brows furrowed, displeasure flickering in her eyes.

“Lucas… what do you mean?”

“So early in the morning, looking for another fight?”

Derek stepped forward, calm and gentle.

“Cassey, don’t be like this.”

Then he looked at me, his gaze both sincere and subtly sarcastic.

“Lucas, if you think the bed is too expensive, I can pay for it. There’s no need to get upset over such a small sum.”

I laughed, low and cutting.

“A mere $11,500? You think I’d find that too much?”

My eyes swept over the newly assembled bed, then settled on Derek, whose composure began to stiffen.

“Derek,” I said slowly, deliberately, “the antique porcelain vase you ‘borrowed’ from me is worth around $64,000. That top-of-the-line German kitchen appliance set? The invoice reads $170,000. And the 18th-century blue-and-white vase in my study? It sold at Christie’s last year for $540,000.”

I spoke steadily, each word deliberate, clear, and precise.

“Oh, by the way,” I said, glancing toward the far corner, “that figurine cabinet at the end—any one of those rare pieces in there has a market value of no less than six figures.”

“Do you want me to go through them one by one?”

With each figure I named, Derek’s face darkened. He avoided my gaze, darting instead to the workers, who had paused mid-task, listening intently.

The curiosity in their eyes quickly shifted to surprise, then morphed into undisguised contempt.

Cassandra’s expression changed as well. First disbelief, then anger. Her cheeks flushed—not with embarrassment, but with the fury and shame climbing her spine.

“Lucas!” she snapped, voice trembling with rage.

“Shut up! Who told you to say that?!”

She stepped forward, pointing a finger at my nose.

“What’s wrong with Derek taking some of your things? I told you it was a loan! Don’t you understand?”

“You’re a grown man, and yet you calculate everything so meticulously? Isn’t that… disgusting?”

“Do you really have to be so stubborn?”

“Fine! I can’t live like this anymore!”

“Break up! Do you hear me? We’re breaking up!”

Her roar echoed through the room, eyes blazing, expecting me to panic, apologize, and compromise like always.

Behind her, Derek lowered his eyes, attempting to hide his embarrassment, but his tight lips and the faint twitch in his eyes betrayed his humiliation.

I smiled faintly, pulling out my phone. Turning to the workers, I asked,

“Master, how much is this bed, including installation?”

They told me, and I transferred the money immediately.

The notification chimed. Cassandra’s expression softened, the corners of her mouth lifting ever so slightly. She thought I had finally yielded.

Then, the doorbell rang.

I turned and opened it. A beautiful young woman stood there—long, slightly curled hair, large bright eyes, fair skin. A few neighbors followed behind her.

She looked at me timidly.

“Hello… we’re here to move some things. Is this a good time?”

I smiled and nodded.

“Of course, it’s convenient. Please, take whatever you like. It’s free. And if you need help moving anything, I can assist.”