4
712words
Because I threw the first punch and damaged Richard's watch – both facts – the solution was compensation.
The money I'd spent on Sophia over the years was legally murky; getting it back would be hard.
The officer said if I compensated promptly and sought Sophia and Richard's forgiveness, I could avoid further legal trouble.
Sophia was aggressive. "Pay up, then kneel and apologize to Richard, and we won't press charges."
I asked to make a call. After the call, I waited patiently.
I hadn't expected Sophia's parents to arrive so fast. They lived in the countrysidea two-hour drive away, yet they showed up within half an hour.
I wanted her parents to see what their daughter had done, to judge if Sophia should demand compensation.
"Auntie, Uncle, you're here?" Richard stepped forward, greeting Sophia's parents familiarly. Seeing this, my heart sank completely.
Richard, Sophia, and her parents huddled together, whispering.
Soon, Sophia's mother came over and pointed at me, cursing. "You beast! Sophia wanted to break up, but you threatened her! Now you’ve actually laid hands on someone!"
My heart ached. I stared at her. "Search your conscience. Aren’t you afraid of judgment for saying such things?"
"Pfft!" Sophia's mother spat at me. "Richard is here now; we're not afraid of you anymore!"
"Don't think you can bully us! Officer, you must deal with him severely!"
Richard gave me a contemptuous look. "Do as Sophia said. Kneel and apologize, pay the money, and I won't press charges. Otherwise, you'll rot in jail."
I looked at Sophia. "You really want me to do this?"
"You still want to threaten my daughter?" Sophia's mother shrieked. "Officers, look at his attitude! This dog deserves jail!"
"You'll regret this," I said, calmer now, my voice icy.
"What, 'The tables will turn'?" Richard mocked. "Is that your little fantasy? Pathetic. Last chance: ten seconds to kneel and pay, or jail."
I stared at Richard. "Give me your bank account number."
Richard was momentarily stunned but gave it to me.
When the SMS notification came, Richard stared at the deposit alert, double-checking. He showed Sophia.
"Sophia, you said this loser gave you all his salary? How did he hide so much? Must have been sneaking around behind your back."
Sophia glared at me. "Disgusting! Is this your 'all in'?"
Sophia's mother joined in. "Beast! Good thing Sophia isn't with you anymore! You claimed to treat her well but hid so much money!"
I ignored them, looking at the police. "Can I go now?"
"Go? You haven't knelt to apologize to Richard!" Sophia yelled.
"Alright, he paid. That’s enough," an officer said.
"How is that enough? He attacked him! If he doesn't kneel and apologize, lock him up!" Sophia screamed.
"Go get a medical evaluation. If it meets the criteria for assault, we'll arrest him."
Richard's injuries weren't serious enough. Sophia glared at me hatefully. "Get out of the apartment immediately. I never want to see you again."
"I will move out. But what you owe me—we’re not done."
"Officer, you hear that? This beast is still threatening my daughter!"
"Auntie, you don't understand," Richard chuckled. "It's just a pathetic worm trying to salvage his pride. I actually hope he tries something. Let him see my reach in Seabreeze City."
Richard turned to me. "Asshole, Kneel today, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. Test me if you dare."
I ignored him. After confirming with the police I could leave, I took a cab back to my rented complex.
Recently, a new car had appeared in the complex – a white Bentley Continental GT. It was a head-turner.
People took photos with it daily, speculating about the owner. Sophia had taken pictures of it too.
Back at the complex, I walked up to that car and got into the driver's seat.
This was my car. Sophia hadn't seen me yesterday because I was driving this to her office.
I wanted to share my joy with her. I was no longer an orphan.
I lay back in the comfortable seat. Two minutes later, my phone rang.
It was my biological father.
"Mason, everything's arranged. I supervised it personally, no problems. Tomorrow's surprise for Sophia will be perfect."
"I broke up with her."
