Page 203 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“You can file a police report against me. I’ll fully co-operate.” Her chin trembles. And she bows her head when another tear falls, hiding her flushed face.

It almost becomes impossible not to give in and comfort her. I clench my fists. Her tears. Her damn tears always had the power to bring me to my knees. It almost makes me forget about what she did.

She turns on her heels and leaves.

I watch her with tensed jaw as she runs away from me until she disappears.

Summer is so transparent. I could see every emotion she was going through and it made my chest ache.

She looked so weak and fragile. And she was hurting. Watching her made me want to break things.

Without another word, I whirl around and walk out of the scene.

With heavy steps, I enter my office and shut the door behind me. Leaning against it, I close my eyes.

“Do you really think I could do it?”

My eyes snap open. Tearing the jacket off me, I pull on the knot of my tie next as I stride to my desk.

Bracing my hands on the desk, I bend my head, trying to block her trembling voice that’s still echoing in my ears.

“You won, Archer Kim. Congratulations.”

With a roar, I sweep the contents off my desk, sending them crashing on the floor. The glass figurine shatters as soon as it lands, splintering into pieces.

Breathing hard, I sink down to my knees and lift one piece of glass and curl my fingers around it, feeling its sharp edges digging in my skin.

“You’ve succeeded into pushing me far, far away. I quit. This job. The battle to attain your love. Everything.”

I tighten my grip and feel the edges slicing the skin.

Crimson drops begin to fall on the floor and I watch it numbly. The deeper the glass pierces, the emptier I feel.

The bite of the piece is nothing compared to the claws of regret that’s ripping my soul.

I shake my head humorlessly. Do I even have a soul?

Summer was right. I am a coward. I am scared of love. Her love. Because she makes me want to take what she is offering. Her heart.

And I don’t deserve it.Shedoesn’t deserve this. She deserves the best and I am far from it.

She wasn’t wrong when she said I knew she wouldn’t do it. Despite the proof, deep down I knew she could never betray me or her friends.

But I had to do this. Now she hates me. I made her give up on me. Because I can’t give her things she deserves. My love. My heart. Both of those things that I don’t possess in me. Because I’m dead inside and merely existing on surface.

Dropping the glass, I shift on the floor until my back is leaning against the desk. With my bloodied hand, I pull out my phone from my pocket.

The screen lights up, displaying my wallpaper. It’s a picture of Summer as she sleeps peacefully in my bed cuddling Goldie.

I trace her face with a finger.

“You’ll forget about me in no time, baby.” I smile faintly.

It might be difficult in the beginning but shewillforget me. Because she will have others fighting for my spot.

Summer is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. It physically hurt to see her soulful eyes swimming with tears. She will soon get a man who would make her smile. Who would help her move on. Who would wipe her tears when she cries and comfort her. Unlike me.

A man who would love her. Who would put her first. Who would hold her and kiss her. The man who would get her smiles and laughter.

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