Done Competing for Her

I searched every corner of the house but couldn't find the pendant. Just as I was about to call Vivian, the front door opened, and a strong smell of alcohol drifted in.

Vivian leaned weakly against Jason. When she spotted me in the living room, she pulled free and spoke with a hint of urgency, "Noah, didn't you hear me calling you?"

But soon, her urgency turned into anger the moment she saw the suitcase by my feet.

She stumbled forward and grabbed me by the collar. "For a second, I actually thought you had learned your lesson. Noah, have I been too lenient with you? Is that why you think you can joke about leaving?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she slapped me across the face. The blow was unusually strong, maybe because she had been drinking. "If you ever threaten me with leaving again, I'll break both of your legs."

Vivian looked completely unhinged. It was the first time I had ever seen her like this.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and said evenly, "This isn't a threat. It's a notice. I'm going home."

Vivian's chest began to heave.

Jason spoke gently, soothing her with just a few words, "Viv, calm down. Noah is probably just too upset and needs some air. There's no way he'd actually leave you. Let me take you back to your room to rest."

"Noah, there won't be a next time," Vivian said.

She took several deep breaths. In the end, she shot me a sharp glare and returned to the bedroom with Jason supporting her.

Within moments, laughter and playful sounds spilled out from behind the bedroom door. It was as if everything that had just happened hadn't affected Vivian's mood at all. I looked at the half-open door for a long moment, then slowly zipped up my suitcase.

Before I could leave, the bedroom door opened, and Jason stepped out. The moment the door closed, the flattery on his face turned into mockery.

He spoke like a host trying to coax a guest to stay, "Noah, it's so late. Where are you going? Aren't you staying another night?"

I had no interest in humoring him and picked up my suitcase. Jason quickly stepped forward, blocked my path, and yanked at his tie.

"Drop the act," he said. "Everyone in Ravenport knows you can't live without Vivian. 'Noah is always there, while the men around Vivian come and go.' That saying didn't come out of nowhere.

"I know I'm only temporary. Once I get my money this year, I'll leave right away. So, how about we make a deal?"

Jason patted my shoulder as if we were close. "You stay out of my way, and I'll speak well of you to Vivian. Maybe you'll actually become the Grayson family's son-in-law next year."

His tone was flippant, his eyes full of disdain. "What do you say? If that's not enough, I promise not to wear her out every night so she still has some energy left for you. How's that?"

I took a step to the side to go around him. "No, thanks. Do whatever you want."

But he wouldn't let up. "I've only slept with your girlfriend a couple of times. It's not like I'm the only one who's done it. You didn't say a word about all the others before me, so what's with the act now? Man to man, just give me a straight answer. Deal or not?"

I was sick of listening to him. As I pushed past him, I suddenly caught a glimpse of the pendant hanging around his neck.

I thought I wouldn't lose my temper because of Vivian anymore, but the moment I saw the pendant, my anger flared up. I grabbed Jason by the throat.