He excused himself weakly, but Brad’s eyes fell on his hand, and his expression shifted instantly. It was then I realized I was clutching the photo album tightly. Before I could explain, he yanked it away, his grip so forceful that I lost my balance and fell beside the sofa.
Brad didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he frantically flipped through the album, letting out a relieved sigh when he found the ring intact.
"Who gave you permission to touch my things? If this ring had been damaged, you’d have hell to pay!"
My forearm scraped against the corner of the table when I fell, leaving a deep scratch that dripped blood. Pale and trembling, I tried to explain, but his gaze was cold and disdainful, as though he were looking at something filthy.
"Keep your dirty hands away from my photo album," he snapped.
I froze where I stood. The pain in my arm, no matter how severe, couldn’t compare to the pain that stabbed through my chest.
Edgar, who had been silently watching, couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward, raised his fist, and punched Brad squarely in the face. His voice thundered with fury.
"Are you blind? She’s bleeding, and this is how you treat her?"
He turned on Brad with a glare that could cut glass. "I didn’t think you’d stoop so low. Brad, you’re nothing but a coward who bullies women!"
Brad, now furious after the punch, staggered to his feet. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he cursed loudly and rushed forward again.
Without thinking, I jumped in between them and grabbed his arm tightly.
"I’ll leave. Don’t fight," I pleaded, my tear-filled eyes meeting his for the last time.
I couldn’t let someone who stood up for me get hurt because of Brad.
Brad exhaled sharply, unclenching his fist with an irritated snort, his face dark with displeasure. His whole body remained tense and rigid.
I picked up my luggage and stood silently at the entrance, my heart heavy. For a brief moment, I hesitated, but then I turned away.
Without looking back, I stepped out of the door and hurried away, leaving behind the five years I had given to him.
This city, so large and sprawling, suddenly felt like it had no place for me anymore.
For Brad, I had given up a promising job offer from the city administration next door. I stayed behind, sacrificing my dreams for a future I thought we’d share.
But now, that future had completely unraveled.
Using the money I had saved over the years, along with the “compensation” Brad had thrown at me, I rented a small apartment to live in temporarily.
I also rented a shop and decided to start my own photography studio.
Photography had always been my passion and my major. I’d worked with magazines and influencers before. Returning to my old career felt right—it wouldn’t be difficult to start over.
I didn’t expect that when my studio opened, Edgar would stop by and even share my discount promotions to help spread the word.
Gratefully, I accepted his help and used his connections to promote the studio on platforms like Red and TikTok.
By the third day, I landed my first booking for a photoshoot. Excited, I grabbed my camera and headed to the venue.
When I arrived, I was stunned to see Jennifer standing there in a white dress, smiling smugly.
She barely reacted to my presence.
"What’s wrong? Do you only choose certain clients?" she said mockingly.
I swallowed my frustration. Thinking of the hefty price tag on my most expensive package, I decided to bear with it.
It’s just one day, I thought. I could manage to deal with her for that long.
But Jennifer wasn’t making it easy. She nitpicked endlessly—complaining about the venue, criticizing the lighting, and finding fault in everything.
"These days, any random cat or dog can open a studio," she sneered, her words dripping with sarcasm.
When she finally claimed to be tired, she pulled out her phone and started talking sweetly to Brad, her voice dripping with affection.
Suppressing my nausea, I packed up my camera, desperate to leave. I couldn’t stand another second in her presence.
Just as I was about to walk away, she grabbed my sleeve, holding me in place.
"Aren’t you curious why I came to find you?"
Her voice was slow and deliberate, her triumphant expression brimming with arrogance.
"I heard all about you while I was abroad. A pathetic little follower of Brad, imitating me at every turn, even trying to crawl into his bed and beg for a status."
