"It's just a little thing. Now it's broken, you don't have to worry about it. Your safety is the most important."

I nodded and said lightly, "Yeah, it doesn't matter, I was going to throw it away anyway."

In the next instant, I swept all of the crystal ball's debris into the trash bin, catching Trevor off guard.

Trevor glanced at me in disbelief, his brow furrowing further and deeper.

"Amora, what do you mean?"

I shook my head and spoke in an emotionless voice.

"It doesn't mean anything. Broken things should have stayed in the trash can."

Trevor moved forward to seize my wrist, dropped his voice and mockingly said, "Amora, did you think of another trick? I told you to put such inappropriate ideas away, or else..."

Rachel could have been a little upset to see Trevor approaching me too closely. "Trevor, I'm so hungry, let's go out for a midnight snack," she said quickly, changing the topic.

Trevor nodded to Rachel, pushed my hand away in disdain and said softly, "Okay, I'll take you to whatever you want to eat."

Rachel hypocritically said, "I want to eat spicy hot chicken wings," leaning on Trevor's arms like a little bird. “Do you want to join us, Amora?”

I firmly said, "No, I'm not hungry," without even considering it. “You guys can go without me."

As if considering whether or not what I had said was true, Trevor pursed his thin lips into a line and dropped his gaze.

After all, if it were before, I would use every opportunity to get along with Trevor. Always actively approaching him.

"Rachel kindly invited you, Amora, don't be shameless."

The tinge of melancholy in Trevor's tone struck me as somewhat odd.

He should be pleased that I carefully made it possible for him and Rachel to spend time alone. Why did he have to make me, an outsider, join them? Eventually, Trevor stormed off when Rachel persuaded him to do so.

It wasn't until they were both gone that I went into my bedroom.

To some way, Trevor gave his implicit approval when Rachel destroyed the decorations and wallpaper at her whim.

But unexpectedly, a face with a broad smile appeared in my head.

It was 19 years old Trevor, who clumsily and carefully decorated the room for me.

As if to claim credit, he told me while he was perspiring, "Amora, look, you will have a home in the future."

The fresh evening breeze flowed in through the window and cleansed my mind.

I gave a sour smile.

With his own hands, the man who had promised to provide me a home instead shoved me into the abyss.

One by one, I picked up the items on the ground and nearly all of them held memories of Trevor and me. As well, the damage and stains on every object showed that Trevor and I would never be able to return to the past.

Not a single item in this house truly belonged to me and they wouldn't even fit in a single bag. This way, I had nothing to lose, so it was fine.

I rented a home outside and resigned from Trevor's firm.

I received some messages on my phone, it was from Rachel.

[Trevor and I are busy with the engagement things, so we won't be back for several days.]

[Amora, I'll leave the house in your care!]

[Remember to attend our engagement party in three days!]

The message was followed by a picture showing Rachel kissing Trevor while holding up her phone and taking a picture in front of the mirror. Even though it was a blatant provocation, I didn't feel offended. Naturally, I wouldn't care about anything relating to Trevor because I didn't want to be involved with him any more.

In addition, my birthday fell on the same day as their engagement celebration in three days.

I ignored all the messages from Rachel.

I got in touch with my old pals and invited them to join me in celebrating my birthday.

Trevor had been the center of my universe for the last decade.

Today, all I wanted to do was live for myself.

***

After spreading my long hair, I changed into a dress that was burgundy in color. I felt magnificent when I looked in the mirror.

For years, I had been following Trevor about the office.

I had been wearing a boring black and white business suit for a long time. But I was only in my twenties this year and like all girls, I was at the age of loving beauty.

My friends joyfully gathered around me and shoved a giant birthday cake over when I entered the private room I had rented.

I couldn't contain my tears as I sniffed.

They were all my pals from the orphanage where I grew up.

"Amora, happy birthday!"

When the door to the private room opened and Gavin was holding a delicate present box bag, his eyes fell on me.

My best friend prodded my arm and said, "Amora, Gavin came here especially today because he heard you were having a birthday," with a smile.

For some time, Gavin McGath, a senior in my college major, also made a concerted attempt to court me.

I immediately rejected Gavin because my thoughts and feelings were on Trevor at the time.

"Birthday gift, I hope you will like it."

Gavin gave me the gift and sat down next to me.

I smiled politely, "Thank you."

Following the welcomes, the mood abruptly brightened.

Gavin seemed to have mustered up his courage, cleared his throat and asked carefully, "Amora, can I ask for your number?"

Everyone knew that Trevor and Rachel had officially announced their relationship.

Those who intended to use me to get close to Trevor have long since vanished in a matter of days.

In the economic world, it was common to swoon over the powerful.

Gavin was the first person to approach me and ask for my contact details in such a situation. His eyes were completely uninterested in those matters as he waited silently for my response.

With a nod, I said, "Sure."

Gavin's eyes brightened suddenly.

I simply happened to pull out my cell phone and saw Trevor called me.

I accidentally pressed the answer button and heard Trevor's angry voice on the other end, "Amora, you already agreed to be Rachel's bridesmaid! Where are you now? Come to me now to the engagement party quickly. Everyone is waiting for you. Is there something wrong?"

Rachel didn't even ask me to be her bridesmaid, which momentarily shocked me. She wanted Trevor to believe that I was purposefully having a tantrum and ruining their engagement party, as if its intention couldn't be clearer.

At the same time, she pushed me to see her and Trevor's happiness for myself and urged me not to entertain any ridiculous notions.

However, Trevor refused to believe me, so I replied, rather casually, "I wish you happiness, Trevor. But today is my birthday, I won't go to your engagement party."

Trevor hesitated a little; it was clear that he had long since forgotten my birthday. After all, he had no time to worry about me, an outsider, since he had been busy getting ready for him and Rachel's engagement party.

"Amora, you said you wanted to give me your number..." Gavin, who was waiting, reminded me softly as he held his phone out in front of me.

I subconsciously replied, "Ah, wait…"

"Amora, where are you now?" Trevor's voice on the phone abruptly increased a few notes, with a faint undertone of worry. "Who are you with?"

I didn't respond to Trevor's questions. Indifferently, I set my phone on “do not disturb” and hung up.

The birthday celebration was a lot of fun with friends. The only drawback was that the new waiter inadvertently knocked over the kettle on me.

Only Gavin and I remained after almost everyone had left.

It hurt to scorch my ankle.

Gavin seemed concerned and got up to go to the nearest pharmacy to get me some scald ointment.

The waiter expressed regret to me and worked out a settlement. He insisted on first letting me rest in a room above. I had to agree since I couldn't help myself.

Thank goodness, Gavin returned in less than a quarter of an hour after buying the medication. He thoroughly and deliberately cleansed my wound after removing the burn ointment and cotton swab iodine.

The blazing agony traveled directly to my head as the wound made contact with the medication. I shuddered and said, "Ah, it hurts."

"Sorry, I'll be gentler," said Gavin, slowing down his motions.

"What are you doing?!"

The hotel door was abruptly kicked open with a "bang" sound.

Trevor, who was meant to be hosting an engagement party, suddenly appeared in front of me.