CHAPTER 11

I looked at him in disbelief. Babe? That woman on the phone just called him babe.

So it's true that he has a girlfriend. And me? I'm just the mistress, just the flirt that people whispered about. And all those stolen touches, the gentle kisses, the careful way he held me, they were never real and it's just part of the show.

He ended the call and slowly turned to face me like he's still hesitant.

"Valerie…" he whispered while his voice is shaking as he reached for my hand.

A tear slipped from my eye before I could stop it. How could I? How could I be the reason for another woman's pain? The pain that my mother felt once.

I forced a bitter smile and speak. "I get it now. It was all just pretend… right?"

I felt numb and empty like something inside me had just shut down and I couldn't even tell if it was my heart or my pride or maybe..... both.

I didn't know how to react. I mean, what right did I have, really? From the very beginning, this was nothing more than a contract and an arrangement for money and I agreed. Something with clear boundaries and expectations or at least, that's what I told myself.

I was never supposed to feel anything. I was never supposed to want more.

But somewhere along the way, the lines blurred because of my tears. His texts that came late at night, the calls that sounded softer than they should, the touches that lingered longer than necessary. I tried to convinced myself they meant something. That maybe, just maybe, I was becoming more than just a temporary role in his life.

But I was wrong because maybe it was her all along. The woman behind the phone. The one he never talked about. The reason why he's smiling to a message last time

And me? I was just the distraction, the convenience, and the one he wants for lust.

I was the one he turned to when things got too heavy and when he needed someone to touch, to kiss, to hold...but never to love.

I was useful. Useful enough to satisfy his needs and useful enough to play pretend.

But never important enough to be chosen. And now I was here… trying to keep my voice from shaking, trying to hold myself together when everything inside me was crushing down and all because I let myself believe that maybe he saw something more in me than just a woman he can use for lust.

But he didn't and he never did.

And that truth…...that was the real heartbreak.

He tried to speak. "No—no. I can explain—"

"Explain what exactly?" My voice was shaking now. "Her? The woman on the phone?"

"I—please. You don't understand. It's not what it seems. Let me explain."

"Then explain it to yourself." I pulled my hand away. "I tried to fix whatever was broke inside you… whatever made you so cold and guarded. Rude, arrogant and made you justify women like that. I tried. I did everything I could to show you that love doesn't always mean pain. That you....deserve it."

He swallowed hard, his chest rising and falling. "Yes. And I felt that, Valerie. I—please. Just give me a chance to explain if you'll just calm down—"

"Open the door."

"No, not yet—let's talk—"

"There's nothing left to say." I looked away. "Just give me the money and the job then I'll forget everything. Even you and your existence."

His face twisted with pain. "A-are you serious? The money is enough to erase me in your life? What we had? What we were becoming?"

No. The money won't fix anything. It won't erase the pain, or the way he made me feel like I mattered, only to crush it in one call.

But I nodded. "Yes."

His grip tightened on my shoulders, forcing me to face him. "Look me in the eye and say that again. Say I meant nothing to you."

My voice cracked. "I should be the one asking you that, Mr. Windham. You made me feel like I was something…"

"Because you are! You're not just something. And not just that but.....you're everything to me, Valerie."

"Then why?" My voice trembled. "Why do you have a girlfriend? Why would you do this if I mattered? Please.... let me go."

He blinked. "Is this really what you want?"

"Yes," I said quietly and painfully. "So please… let me go, sir."

He hesitated for a long moment. Then finally, he pulled open the glove compartment and handed me five envelopes that is full of money, and a contract for the manager position at the hotel.

I took them silently. I should be happy. The old me, the one who didn't know him, would've been thrilled and content. But not now. Because once you've tasted real happiness..... even just a glimpse, no amount of money can replace it.

"You can go now," he said with his voice empty.

Rain began to pour. I waited, hoping that maybe he'd give me an umbrella, or open the door, or at least stop me from walking away because if the heavy rain. But no.

He stared ahead with his eyes fixed on the road like he's refusing to look at me. And that hurt more than anything.

Then, from the lobby entrance, Damian—one of the hotel staff, rushed over with an umbrella then he opened the car door and held it out.

"Damian?" I whispered, startled.

"It's pouring," he said gently. "Let's go inside."

He offered me his hand.

I wanted it to be Klein's hand. But I wasn't the woman he'd do that for.

I took Damian's hand with a weak smile. "Thanks."

"I'll get you a coffee," he said, obviously trying to lift the mood.

I nodded, about to step out of the car when suddenly—

"KLEIN?!"

A woman's voice screamed through the parking lot.