Chapter 4
“Ian, didn’t you… Didn’t you go to the orphanage?” Leila stammered.
Ian pointed at the snacks scattered on the ground. “I came to buy the children some things before heading over.”
She instinctively tried to hide her black card. “I… I’m here with my boss’s son while he shops! My boss had something to do today and told me to accompany his son because he wanted to buy a car. This isn’t my card.”
Her explanation only served to show how panicked she was, and her last sentence reeked of overcompensation.
Ian looked at the three sports cars Leila had just bought. He didn’t recognize the brand, but the fact that they’d cost 30 million dollars was enough to blow his mind. That was a number he couldn’t even begin to imagine. He said, “I didn’t know your boss was so rich.”
Leila was afraid she would say the wrong thing, so she didn’t respond. She started to hurry forward, wanting to help Ian pick up the snacks. However, Connor grabbed her by the wrist, stopping her from doing anything.
He said, “Leila might be your girlfriend, but she can’t help you. She has to go shopping with me—that’s her job for today.”
Leila faltered and looked at Ian hesitantly. “I have to act on my boss’s orders, Ian. I—”
“I understand. Anyway, I can handle this myself. You guys go ahead,” Ian interjected. He was unworthy of having both Connor and Leila put on such an act for him.
All he wanted was for them to be gone. He crouched and started picking up the snacks.
Leila’s fingers twitched, but she still allowed Connor to drag her away.
…
Ian got to the orphanage and gave out the snacks, delighting all the children. They surrounded him and chattered away. He couldn’t help feeling warm when he saw their sincere smiles.
When Josephine saw that he was alone, she asked, “Where’s Leila? Why didn’t she come with you?”
Ian pursed his lips, not sure how to answer.
Josephine thought he and Leila had gotten into a fight. She patted his shoulder and said, “I watched you grow up, Ian. I know you’ve always wanted a family of your own. Leila works three jobs to make money so she can have a home with you, and she stood up for you in a time of danger.
“Whenever she comes here, she gets along so well with the children. It’s not every day that you find a woman as wonderful as her, so don’t do anything rash just because you’re mad. If something is wrong, you two should sit down and talk about it!”
Bitterness surged in him. He hadn’t told Josephine about Leila’s “cancer”, so she had no idea he’d sold his kidney to “save” her before ultimately discovering it was all a lie.
He and Leila had been together for two years, so he knew how well she treated him. But did that diminish everything he’d done for her?
He’d given her his heart, which was why it had hurt so badly and bled so profusely upon learning the truth—his heart had shattered into pieces.
…
When Ian got home, he saw Leila waiting for him after preparing a meal. She sounded apologetic and looked upset with herself as she said, “I had to accompany my boss’s son as part of my job, Ian. That’s why I had to leave you there. I swear I won’t do it again once I’ve made money.”
He’d already heard similar lies countless times, so hearing it once more no longer affected him. He made a faint sound of acknowledgment before sitting at the table and starting to eat. The meal was particularly silent that night, perhaps because Leila was still reeling from almost getting caught.
As soon as Ian put his cutlery down, she put on a mysterious look and pulled out a box, handing it to him. “I know you didn’t have it easy caring for me when I was in the hospital, Ian. My boss’s son was pleased today and gave me a tip, so I got a gift for you. Open it and see whether you like it!”
Ian saw her expectant gaze and took the box. He opened it to see a tie inside with a brand he didn’t recognize. However…
He surreptitiously stroked the bottom of the box, where he felt the stickiness of the remnants of glue. He curled his lip mockingly. He bet the tag had just been removed. He didn’t know much about these luxury brands but was aware that only free gifts would have stickers on them indicating they weren’t for sale.
Leila had spent 30 million dollars on expensive cars for Connor to pacify him, yet she’d only given Ian a free gift. Perhaps to her, an orphan like him was only worthy of things that cost nothing.
She was surprised by his lack of reaction. He always treated all her gifts like they were precious treasures, yet today, he didn’t seem to care. She asked, “What’s wrong? You don’t like the color? I don’t know much about ties, so I asked the sales clerk to help me pick one.”
Ian set the box aside and shook his head. “You don’t need to spend anything on me.”
They were about to break up, after all. He didn’t want to have anything monetary linking them anymore.
Leila was relieved by his words—she thought he felt bad about her spending her money on him. She smiled indulgently and said, “It’s perfectly normal for me to buy things for my boyfriend. Besides, you used all your savings on me. It’s only expected that I do the same.”
Ian curled his lip without saying anything.
…
Ian was tired from the trip to the orphanage, so he washed up earlier than usual before getting into bed. The following morning, he was rudely awakened by a phone call.
He answered it blearily to hear Lance’s anxious voice on the other end of the line. “Your thesis was reported for data falsification—the college is launching an investigation!”
