Chapter 2

"I've been holding a spot for you, of course. I'm delighted you've finally made your decision. I've been anticipating your call for days," my mentor said with enthusiasm.

Upon graduating, he extended an invitation for me to join an international venture. Though intrigued, I remained behind because of Emma.

I recall his disappointment, as he privately urged me multiple times to prioritize my career, but I disregarded his advice.

Luckily, the opportunity hadn't vanished.

After finalizing details and setting a time with him, I exited the bedroom.

Intending to locate my passport, I instead noticed a small, elegant gift box on the table.

I recognized it as another present from Emma.

I pulled open a nearby drawer, revealing an assortment of neatly arranged ties, fragrances, and luxury timepieces.

These were all gifts Emma had purchased out of remorse after meeting with Oliver Thompson.

It began on my birthday when she went to collect Oliver Thompson from the airport, shopped for him, but bought me an identical gift. That night, I was so elated that I didn't question why she had missed my birthday celebration.

Subsequently, she repeated this pattern.

Noticing my emotions stabilize, she seemed to grasp something. Following each encounter with Oliver Thompson, she'd present me with a gift.

She believed I appreciated the presents, unaware that they reassured me of her continued care.

So regardless of Oliver Thompson's provocations, I convinced myself that despite Emma's interactions with him, the past was irrelevant, and I remained her priority.

However, today's pregnancy test jolted me back to reality.

Emma's feelings for anyone else were no longer significant.

What mattered was her ceaseless deception, making me realize this pregnancy test could become a reality someday.

I left Emma's latest gift unopened, placing it with the others.

After contemplation, I inserted a bank card inside.

It represented my debt to Emma.

During college, when my family struggled financially, she'd find pretexts to give me money under the guise of needing tutoring.

When I was hospitalized and my family was indifferent, she unhesitatingly stole a substantial sum from home to cover my medical expenses, facing severe reprimands as a result.

I learned about this from others.

She had saved my life, so I allowed her to act as she pleased.

She wanted me to stay, so I abandoned the opportunity to go abroad. She claimed poor health and needed care, so I gave up a lucrative job to look after her.

Despite this, I still felt indebted to her.

In my free time, I took on part-time work.

Over seven years, I accumulated exactly 200,080, matching the cost of the surgery.

Perhaps fate decided it was time to settle accounts.

After packing, Oliver Thompson messaged me.

I opened it to find a selfie of him and Emma flashing peace signs, with Emma smiling in his embrace, appearing very close.

He then sent an emoji.

A green hat.

The implication was unmistakable.

I disregarded it. Ten minutes later, Oliver Thompson sent another message.

"My apologies, wrong recipient, Noah. I meant nothing by it, don't read too much into it."

I knew he was deliberately trying to provoke me.

But since Emma and I had separated, the target of the green hat symbol was ambiguous.

I forwarded the last message back to Oliver Thompson.

Within a minute, Emma called.

I promptly declined it.

I recognized Oliver Thompson was causing trouble again.

It's a green hat.

The meaning is evident.

I ignored it, but after ten minutes, Oliver sent another message.

"Sorry, I sent that to the wrong person. Noah, I didn't intend anything by it, don't overthink."

I was aware he was intentionally trying to agitate me.

Given that Emma and I had already broken up, it wasn't clear who exactly was being unfaithful.

I forwarded the final message back to Oliver.

Emma called less than a minute later.

I didn't hesitate to reject the call.

I knew Oliver was stirring up trouble once more.

The pattern was familiar. He would provoke me, then feign innocence, while Emma would criticize me and mock my sensitivity.

It seemed that in every argument, I was always deemed the one at fault.

After packing my belongings, I departed with my suitcase.

I went to check into a hotel, but when I attempted to pay, the receptionist informed me my card was frozen.

Momentarily bewildered, I checked my phone only to see a message from Emma.

"Having second thoughts? This is your punishment for not answering my call."

Emma had set up the card for me. She had persuaded me to quit my job to care for her, and to compensate, she deposited two thousand dollars monthly for my living expenses.

It was my sole source of income.

I realized she was using this to coerce me into apologizing to Oliver.

The receptionist returned the card, suggesting I use an alternative card or pay with cash.

However, all my funds were on that card. I never anticipated my situation with Emma would reach this point, so I hadn't prepared any contingency plans.