Chapter 12
Roy’s face turned stormy, his grip on the wine glass so tight it almost shattered. He whipped his head around, eyes sharp and furious, and glared at his friend, his voice as cold as ice. “Really?“%
The guy flinched at Roy’s piercing gaze but quickly regained his nerve, snapping back, “Why wouldn’t I? You treat her like she’s just a stepping stone, right? Just a fling. Once you snag Angela, you’ll forget all about her. Are you really going to keep her from moving on?” “Say that again, I dare you!” Roy shot up, hurling the glass onto the floor where it exploded into shards.
His eyes burned with an anger he’d never felt before, as if someone had hit a raw nerve.
The other guy, equally riled up, lunged forward, grabbing Roy by the collar. “Am I wrong? You’re just messing with her, so what’s with the sudden drama like you’re head over heels?”
Within seconds, they were throwing punches, the dull thud of fists mixing with the crash of glass, turning the place into chaos.%
Others rushed in to break them apart, shouting, “Enough already! We’ve been tight for over twenty years. Fighting over a woman is ridiculous!”
“And besides, that woman’s Emma! She’s gone from Northtown and she’s not coming back. What good is fighting over it now?”
Roy was held back by a few guys, his chest heaving, but his eyes stayed locked on his friend, filled with a rage that wanted to tear him apart.
An older friend sighed, patting Roy’s shoulder gently. “Roy, remember, we’re setting up Angela’s party tomorrow as a proposal. You need to figure out who you really care about. Once you decide, there’s no looking back.”}
Roy’s breathing slowly steadied, but his mind was a mess.
He shut his eyes, and all he saw were scenes with Emma–her smile as she fixed his tie, the way she nestled into his arms to sleep, her busy form in the kitchen, her eyes shining when he teased her…
These memories played like a movie reel, each frame so vivid it hurt.
However, when he opened his eyes, he said, “I love Angela. That’s never changed. I just had a bit too much to drink.“>
With that, he turned and left the club, his exit hurried, like he couldn’t get out fast enough.
Back at his apartment, Roy stood at the door, keys in hand, only to find the lock had been changed.”
He froze, then knocked hard.
The door swung open, revealing a stranger who frowned and asked, “Who are you looking for?”
Roy’s face darkened. “This is Emma’s place. Who are you?“}
The man looked puzzled for a moment, then replied impatiently, “Emma? Oh, you mean the previous owner? She sold this place to me. It’s mine now. What do you want?”
Roy’s heart sank, his mind buzzing with disbelief. He suddenly recalled Emma packing up a few days ago. It was clear now she had planned to leave all along.%
He took a deep breath, pulled out a credit card, and offered it. “There’s a hundred grand on this. Let me crash here for the night.”
The man’s eyes widened, then he grabbed the card eagerly. “Sure, stay as long as you like. I’m out of here.”
Roy walked into the apartment, shut the door, and leaned against it, sliding slowly to the floor.
Everything inside was just as Emma had left it, the furniture untouched, her scent still lingering faintly in the air.
He moved to the couch, lay down, and closed his eyes, overwhelmed by memories of Emma.
Her laughter as she watched him eat, the way she nestled into his arms, blushing from his teasing, her busy form in the kitchen as he hugged her from behind.”
And those nights where they lay entwined on this very sofa. Her scent was intoxicating, her body soft and inviting, her voice dangerously alluring.
Roy’s breathing quickened, his hand reaching unconsciously for his waistband.
His mind was full of Emma–her gasps, her moans, her tears.”
He couldn’t help but seek relief, as if that could somehow hold onto the warmth that had already slipped away.
But as he found release, an overwhelming emptiness washed over him.”
Emma was gone, never to return.
This realization cut through him like a knife, deep and unrelenting.”
