Chapter 3

"He says he's my boyfriend, but that's Damien!" I said firmly as I held Mom's hand. Mom and Dad stiffened at my words. They pulled out their phones and showed me photos, asking me whether I recognized the people in them. It turned out Jordan was the only one I'd forgotten and that I was sure Damien was my boyfriend. This didn't seem to bother Jordan. He even brought Jessica Green out for a meal on the day I was discharged. He'd asked her out several times in the past, but this was the only time she'd agreed. He drove his sports car to pick her up. Since the car was expensive, it caused a sensation at her college. Jessica gave him an indifferent look when she got into the car. She was as innocent and ethereal as she always seemed as she asked, "Is your girlfriend okay?" "Why wouldn't she be? She's perfectly fine," he said dismissively. That afternoon, Jordan brought Jessica to several luxury goods stores. He spent several million dollars, even bringing her to the city's most expensive restaurant for a candlelight dinner. However, when he dropped her off at her college, she refused to accept the things he'd bought her. He couldn't resist her charm, and the thought of having her excited him. He felt like there was finally some excitement in his life again. The thought pleased him so much that he invited his friends to join him at a bar that night to celebrate. Someone congratulated him in advance, hoping he would soon win Jessica's heart. However, his good friend, Jason Rivers, gave him a dark look. "Aren't you and Seraphine getting married soon, Jordan? Don't you think you're being unfaithful to her? Besides, shouldn't you be with her when she's just been discharged from the hospital?" Jason asked. Jordan raised an eyebrow and snorted. He said flippantly, "A man has to go wild before he gets married—when else will he get the chance? I've controlled myself for three years, and it's not every day that I come across someone who suits my tastes perfectly. Don't talk me out of it!" He made it sound like this wasn't a big deal, and a few other men laughed at his words. It was clear they agreed with him. Jason frowned. "Aren't you afraid Seraphine has genuinely forgotten about you?" Jordan had just picked up a glass and held it to his lips. He faltered at Jason's words before sneering. "Forgotten about me? Haven't you guys seen what a bootlicker she is? Would she dare forget about me? So what if she does? I've long since grown sick of how pathetic she is." As he spoke, Jason tugged on his arm anxiously, but he merely shook Jason off. He'd kept these words bottled up for a long time and wanted to get them out. He spat mockingly, "Seraphine's such a pretentious bitch! She can't compare to Jessica!" Jason pointed behind him and said in a small voice, "Seraphine's right there." Jordan's expression shifted drastically. He turned around to see me standing behind him. He was so scared that he started stammering, "S-Sera! Why are you at a bar when you've just been discharged from the hospital?" He put down his wine glass and got up to approach me. He forced a smile, trying to seem as natural as possible. I merely gave him an indifferent look, unfazed by his words. Jordan was taken aback by my calm yet stoic gaze. I would've gotten into a huge fight with him in the past after hearing the things he'd said. I would've even run away from home. This time, however, I didn't throw a tantrum or kick up a fuss. I merely looked at him like he was a stranger. "Sera?" he called. I looked in his direction. My lips curled upward in a smile, and my eyes lit up. Jordan thought I wasn't mad at him when he saw this and took a step in my direction. However, I brushed past him and headed straight for a man in a black suit. I threw my arms around him with a bright smile and cried, "I missed you so much, Damo!"