Chapter 4

Fiona sobbed against Carter's chest.

"Carter... she asked for more money, and she said those horrible things to humiliate me!"

She cried beautifully, looking like the ultimate victim.

I expected Carter to comfort her and blow up at me like he always did.

But his next move caught me off guard.

He actually pushed Fiona away.

"Go wait in the car. I need to talk to her alone."

His eyes were incredibly complex—filled with anger, disappointment, and some emotions I couldn't quite read.

Fiona reluctantly left the apartment, closing the door behind her.

Now, it was just the two of us.

Carter stepped toward me, his powerful aura making the room feel incredibly small.

"Are you really that desperate for money?" he demanded coldly.

"You'll say anything just for a paycheck?"

I looked at him, finding it hilarious.

In his mind, everything I did was about money.

He didn't believe I would actually leave him. He thought this was just some twisted tactic to squeeze more cash out of him.

"Fine."

He pulled out his checkbook and a sleek pen, throwing them onto the coffee table with a sharp clack.

"Write down a number. Then disappear from my life forever."

His voice was thick with disappointment and disgust.

My heart was completely dead now.

Under his cold gaze, I picked up the blank, signed check. Then, I pulled a lighter from my pocket.

*Flick.*

A blue flame danced in the air.

Right before his eyes, the check caught fire, slowly turning into ashes.

I dropped the burning paper into the empty glass. The entire time, I didn't say a word.

Action was the ultimate insult.

Carter was completely pushed over the edge.

He lunged forward, grabbing my wrist with bruising force.

"You think you can just walk away from me?"

His eyes were bloodshot, filled with a wild, possessive madness.

"Chloe, without my permission, you are going nowhere!"

His desperation only made me feel exhausted.

The next day, with the savings Sebastian helped me secure, I quietly left the city.

I moved to a place where no one could find me.

When Carter returned to my apartment, it was already completely empty.

He searched the place like a madman.

Finally, in the living room trash can, he found the silver brooch.

It was the very first gift he had given me three years ago.

The symbol of me being a substitute.

Now, it lay in the trash.

I was gone.

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**Chapter 5**