Fleeting Love

I said nothing, and my indifferent attitude only emboldened Russell.

“You really think that acting emotionless will make Miss Stewart care?

“I saw you eavesdropping by the door. Still pretending you know nothing?”

I reached my limit and pushed Russell.

I hadn’t used much strength, yet he suddenly fell hard to the floor, clutching his shoulder and crying out in pain.

“Why did you push him? If you didn’t want him to stay, you could have said so! Do you have to be so childish?” Ellis cried as she came upon us.

Her accusing tone stunned me for a moment, and just as I tried to explain, Russell cut me off.

“It’s okay, Miss Stewart. I was rude to Mr. Maxwell.

“It was my fault…”

He forced tears into his eyes, and that face, so similar to Gregory’s, looked pitiful and wronged.

It certainly took Ellis’s breath away.

“Apologize, Jon.

“Russell is my benefactor. Are you trying to embarrass me by acting like this?”

Her words stabbed me right in the chest.

Under her cold gaze, I lowered my head and apologized.

Russell’s triumphant smile flashed across his face.

I sniffed hard and comforted myself: just hold on a little longer.

Three days would pass quickly.

It was midnight by the time I returned to the villa.

I dragged my exhausted body to my bed, my eyes stinging as they swept across the room filled with things I had shared with Ellis.

Toothbrushes. Cups. Watches. Coats. I had picked out every single one with care.

My gaze fell on our framed photo in the corner of the bed.

My mind went blank for a moment as I recalled the first time I met Ellis.

After graduating from university, I left my parents and came to South County to start a business.

I kept messing up until Ellis helped me out of trouble and revived the company.

Later, she protected me at banquets and business events. I couldn’t help falling for her.

After she broke up with Gregory, I confessed my feelings, and our relationship deepened.

I thought I had finally found love, drowning in the dream Ellis wove around me—only to learn the truth.

She never loved me.

Her tenderness had always been a lie, a cruel game of revenge.

She watched coldly as I spun in circles like a fool under her control.

At dawn, I heard a man and a woman talking on the staircase.

When I opened the door, Ellis paused mid-sentence.

“Russell scraped his knee and got a few cuts. His place is too remote. I decided to let him stay here for a while.”

Stay for a while? He would probably stay for life.

Seeing her touch her nose in guilt, I hid the coldness in my eyes and nodded, my gaze landing on Russell’s left wrist.

There was a watch—identical to the one in my bedside drawer, the one I treasured too much to wear.

A bitter laugh welled up inside me, but I stepped aside to give Russell space.

Something flickered across Ellis’s face, a mix of emotion she didn’t voice.

“I brought you something to eat.

“Go have it while I show Russell the rooms.”

Their figures disappeared down the hallway.

I forced a smile and said nothing.

I contacted a mover, as I had packed up our shared items to send them away.

When the last box was being carried onto the truck, Ellis rushed over.

“These are our things. Why are you giving them away?”

“I just don’t like them anymore. We can buy new ones later,” I said lightly.

My explanation didn’t convince her, and she was about to question me when a panicked voice echoed from the balcony.

“Miss Stewart, I’m locked inside the room! Can you open the door? I’m scared!”

Ellis hesitated, looked at me, then turned and hurried toward him.

I pressed my lips together and told the staff to continue their work.

As the moving truck drove away, a weight lifted from my chest.

Soon, everything would be over.