Not Just a Phase in My Life

I snapped back to reality and awkwardly said, "Honey, I'm just singing a song. I'm not in love with anyone else—"

"Then who were you a fool in love for?" Elise asked coldly.

My friends saw the situation going south and scattered with quick goodbyes.

I looked at that unfaithful bunch and inwardly sighed. I couldn't blame them. After all, who would dare cross the sole heiress of Shore Group?

Elise didn't even spare them a glance. She dialed up her domineering presence, and her face was as cold as ice. She said, "You're coming home with me. We're going to clear this up."

After getting into the car, neither of us spoke. The driver kept his mouth shut, too. Consequently, the air felt awkward and heavy.

Elise was clearly still in a bad mood. She rolled the window down, letting the cold wind cut in.

"Honey, it's a little cold. Let's close the window," I suggested.

"Don't you dare." Her voice was frosty. "So, tell me. Who did you humble yourself for in love? And who did you later learn to love?"

I was taken aback. Then, I let out a faint laugh. "Honey, it's not scary to go through a breakup. What's scary is never getting over it. You know how people say there's plenty of fish in the sea? Why should you—"

"Are you sharing breakup wisdom with me right now?" she interrupted.

"No, of course not. I was just trying to…" I trailed off, realizing that Elise was watching me silently as the air around her seemed to crackle with anger.

I shut my mouth and swallowed the rest of my words. It seemed she really was heartbroken. Otherwise, on a normal day, I only ever saw a smile on her face.

Damian really was a jerk, huh?

Given the circumstances, I had no idea how to comfort Elise. I quietly opened my music app and shared a song with her, titled "Freeing You with a Heavy Heart".

That was about all I could do at the moment. Then, I sent her another one called "Letting Go".

Sometimes, letting someone go of someone was its own kind of love.

Elise must have heard her phone buzz because she immediately checked it. When she saw my messages, she glared at me. "You… You're infuriating!"

"Honey, if you don't love me and want to chase your own happiness, I can let you go. All you need to do when we get divorced is give me, say, a billion dollars or so. I'll nurse my broken heart alone…"

I put on my best wounded, low-spirited look as I gazed at her. Then, I leaned gently on her shoulder.

Elise tapped away on her phone. Shortly after, mine chimed.

I grabbed it right away to see a notification. "You've received 5,000,000.00 in your bank account…"

I counted the zeroes that made up five million dollars. This month's allowance had just landed!

I cleared my throat, pulled myself together, and looked at Elise. "Don't worry, honey. I'll always be your strongest backup. I'll support you in everything that you do."

"Attend a banquet with me tomorrow," she said curtly.

"Okay."

"Make sure you clean up properly. Don't embarrass me."

I smiled. "Relax, honey. I'll deliver."