10
He paused for a moment, grabbed a tissue to press against the wound, and smiled with downcast eyes.
"It's nothing, just going through the motions with her. If you want to have the baby, go ahead. I don't mind."
Suddenly feeling exhausted, I spoke up:
"Conrad, let's end this here. We should part ways amicably, maintaining some dignity."
Hearing this, Conrad stopped what he was doing, tossed the apple back into the fruit bowl, and stared at me intently, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"Part ways amicably?"
"On what grounds?"
"You've been in control from the start, and now that you're bored, you want to just walk away. What does that make me?"
"A dog?"
I closed my eyes briefly, trying to drive away the stinging sensation of sunlight piercing my eyes, and said flatly:
"Then I'll compensate you."
Conrad froze: "What did you say?"
I looked up at the gradually setting sun and said softly:
"If you don't want me to live well, then I might as well die."