Who would’ve thought I’d run into Thomas as soon as I stepped out?
After a week apart, he still looked as tall and striking as ever, laughing and chatting with the younger women in the office.
But the moment he saw me, his face turned cold, just as always.
"Cheryl, how much did my dad give you?"
I ignored him and walked toward the door.
That move clearly stung him. He caught up to me, blocking my way, his tone hostile.
"So, who was it that put on a ‘holier-than-thou’ act, swearing you wouldn’t take a penny from the Rivers Family?”
He sneered, “Turns out your target was my dad all along. Reeling him in for the big catch, are we?”
I looked at this man I’d loved for fifteen years, unable to hide my own bitterness. “Even if you’re kicking a dog, there’s no need to humiliate it this badly.”
Thomas’s face shifted uncomfortably and he quickly backpedaled. “Fine, just as long as that’s the case.”
Just then, his secretary came over with a project contract for him to sign.
Years of business experience told me immediately that this was a deal that would cost him, not benefit him.
But when I saw that Jessica was listed as the beneficiary, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh. “For the sake of a woman’s smile, you’re willing to disregard the family’s interests? Imagine how heartbroken your father would be if he knew.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
Thomas’s gaze was like a knife laced with poison, sinking deep into my chest.
“We’re divorced now, so stop trying to get close by bringing up my dad every time.”
"Jessica is my future wife. There’s no need to talk about giving her a discount. If she wanted my entire billion-dollar fortune, I’d give it to her without a second thought—handing it over with both hands, no questions asked."
After he finished speaking, he signed his name on the paper and then transferred three million to Jessica’s bank account right in front of me.
Before leaving, he threw in one last remark. “Love always feels like a debt—you wouldn’t understand.”
I stood there, frozen for a long time, as memories flooded my mind like a tidal wave.
When I first entered the Rivers Family, I was broke. At the time, my half-sister was diagnosed with a serious illness and she needed three million for treatment.
The Rivers couple, already doing more than enough by adopting me, had no obligation to do more and I couldn’t bring myself to ask for anything else.