Not So Easy After All

By midnight, Victor still had not returned.

I couldn't fall asleep the whole night. That was when I heard noises from the kitchen downstairs.

Victor was back. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off his strong forearms. He was putting the already cold steak I had made for him last night back into the pan.

He said, "I'll make up for Valentine's Day with you today."

Then, he cut off a small piece of steak and ate it without looking the least bit bothered by it.

My eyes widened.

Victor was extremely picky about food. He never touched leftovers, much less a steak from the night before.

I took two steps toward him before meeting his smug gaze.

Realization dawned on me, and the hope vanished from my eyes.

I finally understood.

To him, making an exception for me was enough to coax me, and I had no right to be upset anymore.

In the past, this trick had always worked. Now, I only shook my head and replied, "There's no need to."

The damage to me was already done. No matter what he did, it would never mend the wound in my heart.

Victor frowned slightly. Then, he pushed a velvet box toward me and said, "This is your Valentine's Day gift. Last night's matter ends here."

I looked at the box but didn't touch it.

Victor opened it himself, and inside was a pair of sparkling diamond earrings.

He had given me countless pieces of expensive jewelry over the past seven years, but he never understood what I truly cared about.

I merely stared at the earrings in silence and said nothing.

I could see the impatience grow in his eyes, but he softened his tone as if soothing me from a tantrum.

"That's enough, babe."

He shoved the box into my hand and said, "Take it and stop looking like you've been so wronged. The price of this is enough to make any woman smile.

"Queenie told me to get this to cheer you up, yet you're still jealous of her for no reason. So don't say that kind of thing again, okay?"

So that was it.

Even this belated attempt of his to make amends had only come because Queenie told him to.

"Victor, I'm serious," I said slowly. "We—"

I wanted to say, "We should just break up. Let me go."

But the rest of my words were cut off by his phone ringing.

"Queenie?" His tone turned gentle at once, and he shifted his attention away from me. "Alright, I'm on my way."

He hung up the phone and lingered for a moment, studying me.

Then, he said, "Be good and stop being upset. There's an urgent matter at Queenie's. I'll be right back."

As he had so many times before, he left me with empty promises and walked out.

This time, I didn't watch his back as he departed.

I took out another phone and dialed a number. The call connected quickly, and a voice I had not heard in ages came through.

"You've made up your mind?" the person asked.

"Yes," I said softly as I looked out the window. "Come take me away."

After hanging up, I changed my clothes. In the evening, I went alone to the most hidden private club in the city.

The people sent were already there waiting for me. They would help arrange everything, so I could break away from the Blackwood family cleanly.

But as soon as I stepped into the passageway meant for VIPs at the back, I saw Victor and Queenie through a half-open door.

They were sitting very closely next to each other on a velvet couch.

The table was full of Queenie's favorite dishes. Smiling, she lifted a spoonful of soup to Victor's lips.

"This is good, Vic. Try some," she said.

Victor didn't refuse as usual.

Seeing it in person hit harder than any photo. I stumbled into the door beside me, feeling as though all strength had been drained from me.

Hearing the noise, Queenie looked up and saw me standing there. She nudged Victor with a smile.