Ex-Girlfriend's Downfall

Upon returning home, I accessed the surveillance system in my house. As soon as the feed came up, there was Curtis Wagner, and I could visibly see Laurel Howard light up with joy. Their conversation quickly turned into a passionate embrace, with Curtis's hands wandering over Laurel, half-disrobing her from her Victorian-style dress.

Watching this unfold shattered me, my heart twisting with pain. I turned off the monitor, left trembling in the dim room. At that moment, I knew my love for Laurel was truly over.

The next day, I took my prepared documents and headed to the passport office. "Sir, are you applying for a long-term visa?" the officer asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Alright, please wait a moment."

As I sat in the waiting area, I saw Curtis and Laurel walk in. I turned my face away, hoping to avoid them. But Curtis called out to me, "Jamari? What are you doing here?"

Laurel noticed me and shrieked, "Jamari, how dare you? Are you following me?"

I chuckled in disbelief and retorted, "Why? Are you hiding something from me that you’re afraid I’ll find out?"

Laurel's face turned bright red as she stammered, "What nonsense are you talking about? I have nothing to hide."

"What about you? Why are you here if you're not traveling abroad?" she snapped back.

I waved my documents casually. "Can't I take care of some business here?"

Laurel scoffed, "I knew you’d never actually leave the country. Unlike our great artist Curtis, who’s about to go on an international tour."

Curtis looked at me and said, "Jamari, I’m planning to take Laurel with me on this tour. I need an assistant, and she’s familiar with my routine. You don’t mind, do you?"

Laurel seemed thrilled at Curtis's words. It was ironic that when she was with me, I had always taken care of her. Now, she was eager to become someone else's assistant.

I shrugged, feigning indifference. "Of course, I don’t mind. Laurel is free to make her own choices."

With that, I left. Curtis and Laurel continued their excited chatter, neither noticing my departure.

Back home, I found my mom, Julianna, packing for the upcoming wedding. "This wedding is so extravagant," she said. "Your dad and I insisted that Catalina must not be slighted."

"These are gifts I bought for Catalina," she continued. "Make sure to give them to her. As our daughter-in-law, she should be treated with respect."

The table was covered with gold jewelry that shimmered under the massive crystal chandelier, almost blinding me with their brilliance.

My flight out of the country was set for the day after my birthday.