He froze,caught off guard by my reaction.
“It was just an artistic photos. I told you we were attending a sex game party of artists. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained. But you have to believe—there’s nothing going on between us.”
He didn’t even bother to explain further.
Sonia’s father, Timothy Scott, had been Anthony’s mentor.
When Anthony first started his business, he struggled to secure funding. Timothy had a car accident while trying to gather the money for Anthony’s startup.
He died shortly after arriving at the hospital, his final words asking Anthony to take care of Sonia. Out of gratitude, Anthony treated Sonia like a sister.
At first, he avoided interacting with her too much, worried I might overthink their relationship. Somehow, though, Sonia had grown closer to him than I ever was.
I was leaving anyway, so I decided to be blunt. “There’s no misunderstanding. I think you and Sonia are a great match. You should get married.”
Before I could finish, Anthony shoved me to the ground again, his face twisted with rage. “Sonia only sees me as a brother. Do you think she’s a shameless woman like you?”
My back slammed into the closet, and pain shot through me. I thought bitterly, “Yeah, Sonia isn’t like me.She didn’t throw herself at him like some cheap woman..”
Shaking, I stood up, gripping the wardrobe for support. Blood from my palm smeared the door, leaving dark streaks.
Anthony’s eyes widened in panic when he noticed. “Are… are you okay? You know I didn’t mean it…”
For a moment,I wanted to tell him everything.“Anthony, I promise to marry—”
Before I could finish, his phone rang. It was Sonia.
“Tony, it’s dark, and I’m scared. I had a dream about my dad…”
“Hey,hey,it’s okay.I’m on my way now.”Tony’s voice was anxious as he threw on some clothes he could find,ready to leave.
Just as he reached the door,he paused like he’d remembered something.
“What were you about to say earlier?”
But I’d already tucked my emotions away.“Nothing.We’ll talk when you’re back.”
He stayed out all night.
The next morning, I quit my job and packed the clothes I had sorted the night before. I was going to donate them.
At the donation center downstairs, I noticed moving trucks parked outside the apartment next door. Workers were unloading brand-new furniture. Someone was moving in.
Amid the bustle of people coming and going, I spotted Anthony. Sonia clung to his arm, her eyes full of adoration.
They looked like newlyweds preparing their first home, their eyes filled with love for each other. Anthony had looked at me the same way when we moved in here, eager to build a life together.
“Miss, your donation form is ready. Miss?” The staff member’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
