Chapter 6
523words
"Mr. Silver, this is between Eula and me." Terry's voice left no room for debate. "Just give me your answer."
On one side: millions in profit. On the other: his precious little princess.
My father's face twisted with indecision. In the end, greed won.
He gritted his teeth. "Fine. If Terry keeps his end of the deal, I'll send Asha abroad."
With that, he stormed into the house, as if the sight of me disgusted him.
Terry and I stood alone in the driveway.
"Happy now?"
Terry's eyes were a storm of anger, frustration, and something deeper I couldn't name.
"This is just the beginning."
I met his gaze with ice in mine.
"You owe me, Terry. And I'm going to collect—every last bit."
Without another word, I turned and walked to my car.
Back at the apartment, I moved all my things from the guest room to the master bedroom.
If he wanted to play this game of chains, I'd play it to the bitter end.
In the days that followed, Terry kept his word.
He arranged Asha's enrollment at a foreign university and booked her flight for the following week.
Though my father dragged his feet, the promise of millions eventually won out.
Asha called me sobbing, calling me a heartless bitch who would get what I deserved.
I listened silently, then hung up.
Retribution?
Hadn't I suffered enough already?
Terry launched his "reconciliation" campaign.
He came home on time every night. No more clubs. No more late nights.
He cooked my favorite dishes, though they were barely edible.
He bought everything I casually mentioned wanting, until the apartment overflowed with gifts.
He walked on eggshells, desperate to please, like a child who'd broken something irreplaceable.
His friends who once sneered at me now showed up at our door, pleading his case.
"He knows he screwed up, Eula."
"Look at him—he's not eating, not sleeping. He's wasting away."
"Please forgive him. You're the only one he's ever really loved."
I watched their performances with cold detachment.
If apologies could heal wounds, what would be the point of pain?
The day Asha left was gray and gloomy.
Terry drove her to the airport, as I'd demanded.
I wanted him to cut the cord himself.
He returned late that night.
He stood in the bedroom doorway, bringing the night chill with him. "She's gone," he said softly.
I didn't turn from my vanity mirror. "Mm."
He came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and rested his chin on my shoulder. His voice was thick with emotion.
"Can we start over, Eula?"
His embrace had once been my safe harbor. Now it felt like ice against my skin.
I caught that familiar, sickly-sweet gardenia perfume on him again.
Asha's signature scent.
My heart plummeted.
So his "airport goodbye" was just another lie.
I pushed him away and stood, facing him with dead eyes.
"Do you think I'm stupid, Terry?"
He froze, panic flashing across his face. "What—what do you mean?"
"Go take a shower."
My voice was flat.
"You reek of her."
