Chapter 7

I went to the restroom and tried to scrub the sticky brown stain off my clothes with cold water.

The freezing water against my skin felt like it was numbing my heart.

When I got back, Alice was laughing, looking pristine and untouched.

Victor sat right next to her.

Looking around their table, it was Alice, Victor, and a bunch of male coworkers from various departments catering to her every whim.

She was the queen bee, surrounded by guys pouring her drinks.

Sarah scoffed from beside me. "Why do men always fall for this garbage? First my ex, now Victor."

I knew Sarah's ex-husband had cheated on her with a girl who played the victim.

Sarah had kicked them both out, and now they were struggling to pay rent.

Honestly, she was a great role model.

"He's not my man," I said, giving Sarah a brief hug, as if hugging my past goodbye. "He’s Alice’s now. They deserve each other."

Sarah looked shocked. "Years of history, Kate. Can you really just let go like that?"

I sat down and picked up my fork. "Haven't you heard of the sunk cost fallacy? You don't let past investments ruin your future."

I couldn't even blame Alice entirely.

Victor was the real issue here. In a way, I should thank her.

She showed me his true colors before it was too late.