Chapter 6
The next day, Lucas strutted back into the office with a teary–eyed Sophia in tow, acting like nothing happened.
He muttered under his breath, “Next time someone tries to mess with you, don’t be scared. Just go off on them.”
“You’re too nice, that’s why people take advantage of you.”
Sophia nodded weakly, her eyes flicking toward me.
I’d had enough.
I grabbed a cup of hot water from my desk and walked straight up to Lucas.
I poured the entire cup over his head.
“Wake up yet?”
They were both caught off guard.
Sophia let out a squeak and ducked behind Lucas.
Lucas shot up, glaring at me. “Don’t think I won’t hit a woman.”
“Someone like you-”
Slap.
I cut him off with a sharp slap across the face.
Lucas’s head snapped to the side.
The entire office went silent, everyone either sneaking glances or staring outright.
I yanked off the gold necklace I’d worn for years and threw it at him.
The pendant hit the floor with a sharp clink.
“Here’s your necklace back.”
I spoke slowly, deliberately:
“You’re right. Childhood promises don’t mean anything.”
“I’m telling you now, we’re done. Forever. Get out of my life.”
Something flickered in Lucas’s eyes–maybe regret–but he still squared his shoulders and shot back, “Remember what you said.”
Varma Como Delivered
“Don’t come crying to me later.”
He stomped on the necklace, grinding it under his shoe.
I turned and walked away.
The office buzzed with whispers.
The project was almost over, and it was time to start packing.
After work, I went home and began sorting through my things.
I called a moving company to help.
The movers looked at the little trinkets scattered around my place and asked, “You keeping these?”
“If so, you’ll need to box them up yourself.”
I glanced at the small gifts Lucas had given me over the years.
Closed my eyes.
“No. Leave them.”
The movers worked fast.
I climbed into the moving truck and left.
I gave the landlord some extra cash to deal with whatever was left behind.
The memories of the past faded like the empty apartment I left behind.
After settling into my new place, Lucas called.
He acted casual, like nothing had happened.
“I went to your place. Why’d you change the locks?”
“Do you need something?”
He was silent for a long time.
I was losing patience.
“If not, I’m hanging up. If it’s work–related, tag me in the group chat
“Wait!”
He paused, then said lightly, “I learned a few new recipes.”
“My mom told me to cook for you.”
And Hor Karma Came Delivered
“Don’t read into it. Just following orders.”
Back when I used to ask him to cook, he’d always brush me off.
“Real men don’t cook,” he’d say, as if it were a woman’s job.
So I’d never tasted his cooking.
I laughed bitterly.
“No thanks. I’ve already eaten.”
Before he could say more, I hung up.
The project was nearing its end.
The day it wrapped up would be the day I cut ties for good.
When I got to the office, there were a few flowers on my desk.
Still damp with dew.
Looked like they were picked from the side of the road.
Thorns and all.
I carefully picked them up and tossed them onto Sophia’s desk.
Lucas, who’d been watching, turned dark.
I ignored him and went back to polishing the project proposal.
I wasn’t some prodigy.
Every bit of success I had came from hard work and sweat.
If I wanted to move up, I couldn’t afford any mistakes.
Lucas hesitated, then grabbed the flowers back.
A thorn pricked his finger.
He winced, pulling it out.
“Emily, I brought those flowers for you this morning.”
I didn’t respond, just kept working.
Lucas, embarrassed by my silence, finally tossed the flowers into the trash.
I glanced over.
Chapter 6
The petals were crushed, their beauty gone.
