Six Years of Sincere Love, Ultimately Just Empty Words

Just as we started arguing, the neighbors gathered around to watch the commotion.

Through the half-open door, they immediately saw Olivia, who was standing opposite me.

"Miss Allen, I've disliked this mistress for a long time. You should teach her a lesson."

"And your boyfriend, too. He's insatiable."

"Exactly. He has a stunning beauty at home but still insists on hooking up with an ugly one."

The neighbors' support temporarily alleviated my frustration.

However, with every word they spoke, Olivia's face grew paler.

She said, "You must all be Molly's paid trolls. Just wait until Zak comes back. I'll make sure you all regret this."

The moment she finished speaking, Zak, who had just returned from work, stormed into the crowd.

He forcefully pushed me aside and, like a loyal knight, shielded Olivia behind him.

He snapped, "Molly, what are you causing a scene about now?

"Did you bring people here to take revenge on Olivia while I was away?

"This kind of despicable behavior disappoints me."

Because of his rough shove, I hit the doorknob hard, and a sharp pain shot through my back.

Yet, Zak was too busy defending the tearful Olivia to notice.

I shot back, "I haven't even asked you yet. Even if we're not getting married, what does it mean for you to bring her into our marital home?"

I gritted my teeth and questioned him, despite the pain.

He snorted, "Didn't you say you weren't going to marry me? I can do whatever I want. How is that any of your business?"

Zak's words were unusually sharp, like daggers piercing my heart.

He added, "And besides, I'm the one paying the rent. I can let anyone live here. Who are you to point fingers?"

The marital home was rented. I had spun a kind lie to ease Zak's guilt.

At that time, he had been living in a basement due to financial struggles from his startup.

The company's performance was poor, and his anxiety had affected his health, leading to pneumonia.

The damp environment of the basement was no help to his recovery.

For his sake, I reached out to my parents, who I hadn't spoken to in three years, and begged them for help.

My parents agreed, but only on the condition that rent be paid.

I negotiated, and they finally relented, asking for just 800 dollars a month for an apartment nearly 200 square meters in size.

I never touched the rent money for 36 months; it was all saved in the bank.

I was just waiting for the day he officially married me so I could return all the rent and tell him that the apartment would belong to both of us.

I had even imagined him being moved to tears when he found out everything.

But now, seeing him protect Olivia like this, I wanted to slap myself for ever being so blinded by love.

For a man who didn't love me, I had compromised so much.

Thankfully, it wasn't too late to reverse things.

I no longer wanted him, but I was determined to get the apartment back.