Chapter 3

She grew quiet again, making it hard to tell if she was happy or not. It reminded me of when we first got together.

Back then, she suffered from severe insomnia because Jack had left the country.

She talked about moving on, but deep down, she still felt regret.

Jack had a vague flirtation with her as she was growing up, then Emilyr mentioned it again, taking a young girl's feelings with him.

During that time, all I could do was keep her company, take her out to have fun and be wild.

At night, we'd leave the dorm and walk along University South Road all the way to the lakefront, strolling until two or three in the morning. When she got tired, she'd sit by the roadside. Under the streetlights, she'd look up at me with innocent eyes.

My heart melted like a lake of water, and I couldn't help but kiss her.

"Emily, can you trust that I'll make you happy?"

She nodded, with just a faint smile.

The sound of water in the bathroom brought me back to reality. I had waited for her all night, only for her to tell me she wanted to break up.

I didn't want to talk about winning the lottery anymore.

Her phone rang just as the water stopped. She came out wrapped in a towel.

"I know, I'll explain everything clearly." I didn't know who was on the other end.

As usual, I grabbed the hair dryer to dry her hair. She sat obediently on the edge of the bed, not saying a word.

"I've been on a business trip for two weeks. Did you miss me, Emily?"Alex, I'm not joking when I say I want to break up."

"Why?"

"My dad lost millions! It's not much for our family, but it still hurts."

She snatched the hair dryer from my hand, her eyes full of resentment.

"After six months, you finally decided to tell me. Such an important matter, you kept it from me. Did you think I couldn't handle it, or that it didn't matter whether I knew or not?"

"How dare you question me? Why don't you go ask that wonderful father of yours!"

Like a clap of thunder.

"Chase?"

Emily glared at me, I had Emilyr seen her so angry before.

"Emily, they divorced when I was four, and I haven't seen him since. If he's responsible for your losses, I can help you get it back. But if you're trying to pass his sins onto me, I can't accept that. Other than blood, what connection do I have with him?"

"How are you going to get it back? You're like air to that father of yours, what standing do you have to reclaim anything? Do you know why I haven't mentioned anything for the past six months? Because I just wanted to figure out if I truly love you or not!"

I'm not some twenty-something kid anymore, but these words still left me feeling winded.I crawled like a hideous monster through the dark sewers, burying those past memories deep within.

But Emily, without a care, ripped away the veil that hid my shame.