03
In an elegant, fine–dining restaurant, I sat alone at a corner table, staring at the city lights outside.
This was where Wilson and I had celebrated our first anniversary.
We were broke back then.
We scraped together everything we had just to afford a meal here.
And today… Today should have been our ninth anniversary.
We’d planned to come back here.
Wilson had said more than once that our ninth anniversary would be a grand celebration.
He claimed it was a milestone year.
He’d said if we could make it nine years, we’d surely be together forever.
He’d claimed that nothing
could tear us apart.
But after Gracie appeared, Wilson’s subtle changes became impossible to ignore.
I took a sip of wine, bitterly shaking my head to dispel the memories.
Thinking about his promises now felt laughable.
“Ms. Lopez? What a coincidence!”
A familiar voice interrupted my thoughts
A handsome man in a black shirt sat across from me, smiling warmly.
It was Marshall, Jayson’s son, the one who had taken me to the hospital.
“Ms. Lopez, let’s officially introduce ourselves.”
He extended his hand and said with a grin, “Hi, I’m Marshall Castro. This is a restaurant I visit every year. Today marks my ninth year coming here.”
I nearly spat out my wine.
For a moment, I thought I’d accidentally spoken my thoughts out loud, and he’d heard me.
Then I realized he was just a regular here, and this was pure coincidence.
I felt embarrassed.
Blushing, I shook his hand. “I’m… Alisha Lopez.”
His handshake was warm and firm.
“Welcome to my dad’s company! Since we’ve run into each other, let me treat you to dinner. Let’s call it a celebration.”
I tried to decline, but he insisted.
So, we ended up dining together.
He asked why I was dining alone.
I kept it vague, saying I’d recently quit my job and ended a relationship, so I wasn’t in the best mood.
Midway through the meal, Robyn called me.
“Ms. Lopez! Mr. Beckett is losing his mind! He’s looking for you everywhere. Be careful!”
I froze, confused.
I thought, “Why would Wilson be losing his mind? Why would he be searching for me?”
I couldn’t understand.
As I frowned, trying to figure it out, a commotion broke out at the restaurant entrance.
A few startled gasps followed.
A man stormed in, scanned the room, then marched straight toward my table.
When he got closer, I realized it was Wilson.
“Alisha!”
His face was red and bowe
12:02 PM
“Explain this! What the hell does this mean?”
I glanced at the screen.
It was the email I’d sent him. It was my resignation and breakup note.
I met his fury with calm. “It means exactly what it says. I’ve resigned, and we’re done.”
“What!”
Wilson’s voice rose as he grabbed my collar, his teeth clenched.
“Alisha, what nonsense are you talking about? Why would you suddenly leave me like this?”
“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”
Marshall stood up, pushing Wilson away and shielding me.
Marshall soon realized this must be my ex.
Wilson glared at Marshall, his voice dripping with venom.
“So this is the guy you’re cheating on me with, huh?”
I laughed in disbelief. “Are you even hearing yourself?”
Wilson sneered, his tone accusatory.
“I spoke to the guard at your complex today. He told me you were dropped off by some fancy car that morning! I can’t believe you’re this kind of woman.”
Before I could respond, Marshall stepped forward. He looked furious.
Grabbing Wilson by the collar, he said icily, “Ms. Lopez had a fever and collapsed at your party villa. I was the one who took her to the hospital. She spent the entire night there. Where were you?”
Then he pulled a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and threw it at Wilson.
“This is the hospital receipt from that night. Read it yourself.”
Wilson froze.
He picked up the paper, his face paling as he read the date.
Then he turned to me, his eyes red.
“But, Alisha, just because of this small misunderstanding, you want to break up? You want to leave the company we built together?”
I stared at him, my voice devoid of emotion.
“Should I stay to watch you and Gracie flaunt your relationship every day? Is that what you want?”
Wilson looked puzzled and said, “I swear, there’s nothing between us! She’s just an intern from a small town. I only wanted to help her. She reminded me of myself when I was starting out.”
Seeing my silence, Wilson leaned closer, his eyes red and filled with desperation.
“Alisha, you still have feelings for me, don’t you? Otherwise, why would you come to this restaurant? Stop being stubborn. Come home with me.”
I instinctively took a step back.
Just as Wilson reached out toward me again, Marshall stepped in front of me.
“You’d better not disturb me and my girlfriend,” Wilson snapped at Marshall, his voice laced with anger.
Marshall remained calm as he shielded me. “You can talk, but your actions are scaring her.”
“What’s it to you? Is this your restaurant or something?” Wilson sneered.
Marshall smiled faintly and shook his head. “Actually, yes. I bought it with some friends last year. I’m the owner now.”
Wilson froze, his expression stiffening.
At that moment, security guards rushed in and grabbed Wilson, dragging him toward the door.
“Alisha! Alisha! Think this through! I’m the one you truly love! You’re supposed to love me!
Alisha! I know you still care about me! Stop lying to yourself!
We’ve been together for nine years! Alisha, how can I live without you?”
Even as they hauled him out, Wilson kept shouting.
I’d been with him for nine years, but now, I only felt disappointment and exhaustion when I looked at him.
I smiled bitterly and turned to Marshall. “I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess.”
Marshall offered me a comforting smile. “Don’t worry about it. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
