The Last Time I Loved Him (Autumn and Ryan) novel Chapter 54

Chapter 4

Before graduating from college, Jackson was preparing for a job interview. He told me he didn't want to commute everyday by subway because it makes him look embarrassed.

At the time, I thought what he said made sense. After all, the subway is crowded, and it's not very convenient for trips. It also doesn't look good when meeting clients. So, I lent him the small Bentley my dad gave me, and he's been driving it ever since.

Jackson was silent for a moment, then started yelling, "Sunny Lee, what exactly do you want to do? I already apologized, what do you want from me?"

"Isn't it just a broken-down car? You think I really care?"

"You're looking down on me, aren't you? It's just a car worth 500,000 dollars, do you have to be so petty about it?"

I took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to swear back, "That's my car, and I absolutely have to be petty about it."

"Give me a straight answer, when are you going to return it?"

He hung up the phone immediately after I finished speaking. I knew he would react like this. When I drove the car over to him, he sat in it for over an hour and wouldn't get out. Because of that car, everyone at his company thought he was a rich second- generation heir experiencing life, and he got a lot of flattery.

Once you wear a mask for too long, it becomes your face. Jackson definitely wouldn't easily give up that feeling. The next morning, I went to the apartment that Jackson and I had rented together before our wedding. Because our new house was under renovation, we had temporarily rented an apartment near his work.

When we were renting it, Jackson said he was a bit strapped for cash and asked if I could cover the first month's rent. He said he would split it with me once he got paid after starting his job.

Without hesitation, I agreed. I felt bad for him having to struggle for a living, so I transferred him 3,000 dollars to get by first.

From that day on, he never paid a single cent in rent. I was the one paying it all.

Now, I really want to slap myself hardly! I totally was love- stricken, and not aware of his tricks!

But it's good this way. The lease agreement only has my name on it, so the process of moving out was smooth. I didn't have to get Jackson's consent. Before leaving, I transferred another 2,000 dollars to the landlord. He's a kind-hearted guy, and as soon as he saw what I was doing, he started asking me if I was having trouble with my boyfriend, since I looked in no shape. I didn't tell him the details, but I asked him to use the 2,000 dollars to buy a new door lock. Any style would do, as long as it was installed before tonight. The landlord readily agreed and said he would take Jackson's things out and change the lock today. That night, before I went to bed, I received a photo from the landlord. The lock was completely changed, and Jackson's luggage was piled up outside the door. My mood immediately improved. I'm not going to let him take advantage of me financially, not only in terms of renting, it would be disrespectful to money itself if I let him take even a single cent from me. Around eleven or twelve o'clock, my parents and I were awoken by a loud and urgent knocking on the door.

Outside, Jackson and his mother were shouting. "Sunny Lee, get out here! I know you're home! Get out here!" My mother was terrified, and she kept pulling me away from the door. My dad, who is rarely angry, flushed red in the face. Before I could stop him, he kicked a mop handle to break it and then opened the door. Jackson was startled by my dad's forceful presence, then, encouraged by his mother, he questioned me, "Sunny Lee, did you have to be so cruel? You moved out without saying anything, where am I supposed to live?!" "I didn't do anything to you, why are you making such a fuss? You're being so unreasonable!"

What? Did I hear that right? He's saying I'm being unreasonable?!

"Who's being unreasonable? You guys take the cake!" I stood up and retorted emotionlessly, "From the moment we decided to get married, your family has been shamelessly claiming you're poor.

My parents and I were understanding, I provided the house, I provided the car, I even returned your entire dowry, what more do you want?!"

"Jackson, don't you think we're still together? You've been eating and drinking off of me for years, now you want me to pay rent because we've broken up? Don't you think you're a royal prince?"

Jackson's face went white and red because of his embarrassment.

He gave up pretending, glared at me, and was about to charge at me. My dad stepped in front, he is so tall and with a thick long stick, "Don't you dare touch my daughter!"