The Life of Freedom I Long For

Old Faces, Old Scorn

I frowned, realizing these people hadn't changed one bit. Even with money in their pockets, they still reeked of that same old pretentiousness.

The room buzzed again with gossip.

"Wait a second, the necklace she's wearing—it looks like Chanel's latest design from this year, worth tens of millions!"

"It really is!"

"She can't possibly afford that!"

"She can't, but a man could."

"Exactly. With her kind of background, no man would ever want to marry her. He's probably just having some fun with her."

"Kathy, there are a lot of scammers these days. Don't get fooled—be careful not to give both your heart and body to him."

"Yeah! You used to be the top student in our class. If you're doing this badly now, it's really embarrassing for all of us."

I said nothing and quietly enjoyed my food. After a full day of flying, I was tired and starving, with no time to eat earlier.

While Felix's eyes burned with anger and resentment at seeing me staying silent, Eleanor scoffed as she stepped toward me. "Kathy, have you been starving for a week or something? You can't stop eating."

She loomed over me, dripping arrogance. "How sad, scarfing down food like this. Life must've treated you terribly in the last five years."

She paused, then added with a sneer, "How about coming back and playing the lapdog again? At least you'd have food and a roof over your head. We're old acquaintances, after all—consider it an act of charity."

After a few more bites of steak, warmth returned to my stomach and a bit of energy with it. I looked up at her and shook my head. "No, thanks. You can save your charity for someone else."

Eleanor burst into mocking laughter. "Stop pretending. You're just too proud for your own good—it's only going to make your life harder."

Then, she began flaunting her achievements. "I'm a top fashion designer now—one of the rising stars in the industry. My future's bright, and I'll be rolling in money soon. All it takes is one word from me, and you'll never have to worry about food or clothing again. Feeding you would be no trouble at all."

Everyone knew Eleanor was the woman Felix loved, so they all scrambled to flatter her. Her happiness meant his approval.

"That's right, Eleanor. You're amazing."

"She's worked so hard all these years. Give it a few more and she'll have a firm place in the international fashion world."

"Someone as talented and gifted as her is the only one worthy of Felix. I'm jealous, honestly."

"She's beautiful and sensible. She and Felix are a perfect match."

Eleanor raised her chin proudly, basking in the admiration. She always did love the attention. To show off even more, she dropped another piece of news. "I'll be collaborating with Miss Farah, one of the biggest designers in the field. Once our company brings her on board, we'll be taking things to a whole new level."

I blinked in mild surprise but said nothing. 'This partnership can go to the dumps,' I thought.

I stood up, ready to leave. But before I could take another step, Felix's voice—tight with anger—snapped out behind me. "Kathy, stop right there!"

I froze, turning only enough to give him my cold, distant back. "Can I help you?"

His footsteps came heavy and deliberate. When he stopped in front of me, his gaze was locked on mine, voice sharp with blame. "You've been gone for years, and now you want to run off again? You really have no heart at all. Do you feel even a shred of regret?"