“You still haven't learned the right and wrong things to do yet, huh?”
Standing with Elma were several business partners from the banquet hall. They stayed a few steps away.
No one dared to come closer as they watched Elma gripped my neck and spoke with intent, “Apologize to Arty. Beg him to forgive you.”
She smiled a little. It was the same as five years ago when she threw a plane ticket at my face.
My blood felt frozen. She threw the metal baton to the ground and caused a clear, sharp sound. Just like five years ago.
I had seen Elma cheat with my own eyes. I was crying and demanded an explanation. She only held Arthur while giving me a warning. "Arty is different from you. He is timid. Don’t scare him.”
“Jayden, we have been together too long. I no longer have passion for you. If you behave, my husband’s place will always be yours. If you hurt Arty, I will make sure you die.”
At that time, I did not understand.
I had believed Elma loved me. I trusted the years we shared and the hard times we survived together. Amidst the situation, I hired a private detective, bought the photos and posted them everywhere. No matter how much money they used to hide the story, I would always pay more to make Elma and Arthur pay.
As I expected, Arthur was expelled from school and became a public disgrace. But I paid a high price too. I still remember the day Elma forced me to sign the paper that left me with nothing.
She said coldy, “Your brother’s life is in your hands. Jayden, what will you choose?”
Soon I woke up from my daydream and returned to the present.
“Elma. Five years,” I faced her and gave a nastier smile than hers, “is this how you meet your ex-lover? If so, I have a gift for you.”
I stabbed Elma in the belly. I watched her shocked face and did not stop. I dug into her flesh. Blood stuck on the back of my hand.
I laughed louder. “Elma. Do you like the gift?”
I pulled out the knife and stabbed again. At the same time, Elma grabbed the blade. The knife cut her palm. She held the blade tightly and smiled at me like she did not feel pain.
“Jayden, five years— you really are— bold.”
Elma kicked my chest, took the knife and stood over me.
“You wanted me dead, so much?” she asked while stepping on my wrist. The old scar hurt and I frowned. Then she said, “Too bad. I control Centrapolis now. If you want my life,” she bent and threw the knife in front of me, “you are not worthy.”
Arthur ran forward, clearly in panic as he stared at the blood from Elma’s belly.
“Jayden!" He screamed at me. "You fabricated that scandal five years ago. You made me lose my studies and my future. You ruined me and Emmy! Emmy was kind and let you go away. How could you be so cruel... so much you wanted Emmy’s life?”
Arthur cried and stood in front of Elma like some protective hero.
“If I had known, I would never have been soft and let you hurt Emmy!” He did not care about gaining too much attention.
“I would never!” he yelled once more.
