After a Rocky Valentine

When the people around heard what was happening, Michael couldn't help asking, curiosity written all over his face, "Oh, do you know her, Mr. West?"

Ivan's expression shifted. There was some annoyance there, maybe even a hint of pity, but he quickly covered it with his usual cold indifference.

"Oh, she's just a waitress who used to work for me," he said, making no effort to hide the mockery in his voice or the disdain in his eyes.

Then, he wrapped his arm around Kelly as if putting on a show and walked away. That cold attitude of his hadn't changed a bit, and it was still as detestable.

I turned to the staff and tried to explain, "You're mistaken. I'm not here for work. I'm waiting for someone."

The staff just laughed, a mocking look on her face, like she had already figured me out. "Miss, this is a members-only club. Please show me your membership card."

Of course, I didn't have one. I was here with my husband, Alex Ward, and the membership card was with him.

When she saw me looking awkward, the mocking smile on her face only grew. "You should really check the mirror. People like you don't belong here. If you're going to make up a story, at least try to dress for it. And by the way, the macaron you just ate was made by a Michelin-starred chef from Fiora. Those aren't cheap."

She gave a fake smile, then added sharply, "Since you can't prove you're a member, you'll need to pay full price for what you ate. That comes up to five hundred and sixty dollars. How are you planning to pay?"

"I don't have my phone with me," I said.

Her attitude flipped in an instant, and she snapped, "Security, get this freeloader out of here!"

In no time, security guards started to gather around me.

"Stop." Ivan, who had nearly left, suddenly turned back.

He strode over, hands in his pockets, his face as serious and cold as ever, and stopped right in front of me. "I'll pay for her. Put it on my account."

He turned to me and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, "Millia, I know you're still not over me, but we've already broken up. I'm with Kelly now. There's no way we're getting back together. So please, stop using tricks to bump into me. Let's just end things peacefully and keep a little dignity for each other."

I opened my mouth to explain, but Ivan didn't let me get a word in by raising his hand. "That's enough. Don't say anything. I know things aren't easy for you right now. Tell me, how much do you need? I can lend you some money, just don't bother me again."

He pulled out his phone, ready to wire me some money right there.

Kelly, who had been standing nearby, didn't look too happy about any of this. She made a point of moving even closer to Ivan, practically gluing herself to his side.

With a gentle smile, she spoke softly, "Millia, I know you still care about Ivan, but he's with me now, and we're about to get married. Don't you… Don't you think this is a little out of line?

"If someone who didn't know better saw this, they'd probably think you were some mistress. Ivan is just being nice. Even after breaking up, if he sees an ex having a particularly hard time, he would help out. Still, we're all adults here. We should at least keep things respectful, don't you think?"

I got her message loud and clear. She was trying to insult me in a veiled way. But I hadn't said a word from the beginning to the end, and it was Ivan making up this whole narrative that I was some desperate ex who couldn't move on.

I smiled politely and replied, "I never asked him to send me anything. Ivan is the one who insisted. Maybe you should have a word with him instead. Also, I wish you both all the happiness in the world and may you two grow old together."

I ignored them and sat back down on the couch to wait for my husband, Alex. I didn't have my phone, and if I left now, he would probably send the security team to hunt me down. "Don't worry, I'm not trying to get out of paying. As soon as my husband gets here, I'll have him pay."

I explained patiently to the staff.

Kelly wasn't about to let things go and turned to the staff again. "I remember Millia was pretty light-fingered back in high school. Maybe you should check if anything's missing?"

The staff immediately caught on and waved for security. "Search her. Make sure she doesn't take anything with her. Otherwise, it's coming out of our paycheck."