After that phone call with James, he didn't call again, only sending me one text telling me to rest well. At the time, I thought he had finally realized how badly he'd messed up, but now it's clear he still doesn't understand how much his actions hurt me.

The very night I returned home, James showed up at my door. I stood thoughtfully by the entrance, listening to his pleading voice from outside for what felt like forever.

It was already past eleven at night. Being a considerate neighbor, I finally opened the door.

James stood there looking guilty, but when he saw me, his eyes lit up with barely contained joy as he reached out to hug me.

Looking at all the gift boxes scattered on the ground, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me.

I instinctively stepped back from his attempt to embrace me. Now, I wasn't just disappointed - I was disgusted.

James's smile turned awkward, but he pressed on: "I'm sorry, Sarah. It's all Lisa's fault. If she hadn't seduced me, I would never have done anything to hurt you."

His voice was so earnest that if you didn't listen to his actual words, he'd seem like an honest man wrongly accused.

I closed my eyes, not wanting to hear any more of his nonsense.

James started showing off the gifts he'd brought - three designer bags from different luxury brands and a credit card.

The irony was bitter. We'd built everything from scratch together - there wouldn't be a James Sullivan today without me. Yet here he was, trying to buy me off with these things, treating me just like any other woman.

Then he pulled out a small, elegant box from his pocket. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring as big as a bean.

James got down on one knee, his voice thick with emotion.

"I know I made a mistake, but I promise I'll never do anything like this again. You're the only one I truly love! Will you-"

"No!" I cut him off before he could finish. "You think a few designer bags will change my mind? What kind of person do you think I am? Remember how you built that company of yours - you think I care about this junk? Drop the innocent act. There's no audience here, so who are you performing for? And thanks for showing me my first living example of a pity engagement ring."

I tried to close the door, but I hadn't expected James to lose his temper. “Know your place, don't be so ungrateful!”

He yanked me outside and raised his hand to slap me.

I froze, but the expected pain never came.

It was Travis. He had caught James's wrist mid-swing and tossed it aside like something filthy.

He frowned, his eyes dark. "So this is your good for nothing ex-boyfriend?"

His comment caught me off guard, and I could only nod dumbly.

"Yes."

Travis added, "I know some good ophthalmologists. We should get your eyes checked sometime."

James caught the insult and his face reddened.

"Sarah Bernett, who is this guy? This is between us - we don't need outsiders involved!"

James had directed the question at me, but Travis answered instead.

“I’m Miss Bernett's current boyfriend. It's not very proper to lurk outside someone's home this late. Would you prefer to leave on your own, or should I call security?"

"Thank you, Dr. Lewis."

If Travis hadn't shown up when he did, I don't know what would have happened. My gratitude toward him grew even stronger.

"It's nothing. You're my patient - can't have you getting injured again or all my work would be wasted." His voice was neutral, showing no particular emotion.

Still, I was surprised to run into Travis again. "Dr. Lewis, what brings you here?"

Instead of answering, he walked to a nearby door and smoothly entered a security code.

"This is my home."