Broken for One More Time

I closed the door quietly, shutting out the laughter inside.

I turned to leave, but the waitstaff stopped me. He spoke loudly, "Sir, Room 808 is right here."

Cole heard the commotion outside and opened the door. He feigned surprise as he pulled me in. "Oh, you're here, Percy. Come on in."

Everyone inside was Jessica's middle school classmates. I recognized them from old graduation photos.

They were all waiting for a good show, knowingly asking, "Who's this, Ms. Justice?"

Jessica held a glass of red wine, a cold smirk resting on her lips. "Just the chauffeur."

She then tossed a set of car keys at me. "Take the car back. Don't ruin my mood."

Cole leaned in close beside Jessica, his lips brushing near her ear, giving it a light bite. "Have him go buy a box of condoms, Jessy. We'll need them later."

The room erupted in laughter, every bit of it aimed at me.

Jessica set her wine glass down and ruffled Cole's hair in an indulgent manner. Then, she glanced at me, expression indifferent. "Didn't you hear him? Hurry up and go."

I looked around at everyone in the room.

They just wanted to see me humiliated, but I wouldn't let them.

"A chauffeur's job is to drive, not run errands." This was the first time I had ever refused Jessica.

Cole snapped first, pointing a finger right at me. "If you don't go, I'll have Jessy cut off your allowance!"

I smiled faintly. That thousand dollars wasn't even enough to cover groceries.

All this time, I'd avoided spending Jessica's money, living off my savings and part-time work to help cover expenses. But somehow, that made me some freeloader living off her scraps in their eyes.

"Then cut it off," I replied flatly, then turned and walked out.

Jessica's expression darkened.

Cole leaned into her arms and pouted. "How annoying. I want some lobster!"

My steps faltered.

Back then, Jessica had brought me to this diner for the first time to celebrate our fourth anniversary. She had just started her business, struggling with the money I'd provided her.

When she saw a steaming plate of lobster at another table, she'd looked at it with quiet envy and said, "When I make it big one day, Percy, I'll treat you to lobsters too! We'll get two—one for ourselves and one for show!"

Back then, a lobster here was around a hundred dollars. Now it has jumped to two hundred.

Jessica let out a soft laugh and agreed readily. "Order as many as you like. Get ten of them. We'll eat one and leave the rest for show—as long as you're happy."

What was I still hoping for?

She was no longer the Jessica who would share anything good with me.

I kept walking.

A strange tension suddenly settled inside the private room.

Furious, Jessica hurled her wine glass hard against the door.

The sharp sound of shattering glass rang out behind me, but I didn't look back.

…

It was already dark by the time I got home. I finished showering and headed straight to bed.

Suddenly, Jessica kicked the door open and yanked me upright. "Cole has an upset stomach from the lobster. Go get medicine!"

I frowned as I opened my eyes, holding out my hand. "Give me back the signet ring, and I'll go."

"What ring?" Jessica waved me off impatiently. "Just go get the medicine first. I'll give it back to you after that. And we'll count this as the hundredth time we've gotten back together."

I got dressed and headed downstairs. She was holding a cup of hot water for Cole, whose face was pale with discomfort.

She softly said, "Drink some more. You'll feel better."

Jessica had never spoken to me like that in all eight years we were together. I looked away, unable to bear watching.

Without even looking up, she coldly barked, "The car's out of gas. You can walk instead."

I nodded quietly.

It started pouring heavily the moment I stepped out of the neighborhood.

Most of the convenience stores were closed at that hour.

I was soaked to the bone by the time I made it back with the medicine.

But then, I saw Cole leisurely eating fruits fed by Jessica.

Upon seeing me dripping wet, he covered his mouth in mock surprise. "Oh my, I didn't realize it was raining that hard outside. Sorry, Percy. I just remembered the car actually had gas, so Jessy drove out and got me the medicine."

I let out a bitter smile. It was just another of their acts to mess with me.

I tossed the medicine into the trash and didn't bother saying anything else. I just looked right at Jessica and demanded, "Give me back the signet ring."

Cole flinched as if he had been frightened, shrinking into her arms as he started sniffling.

Jessica immediately pulled him close and snapped, "Get out! I already said this counts as the punishment. What are you still mad about? It's just a ring. Do you really think I'd keep it from you?"

Then, she turned back to comfort Cole, not sparing me a single glance.