“Yes,” I said, the word coming out more decisively than I felt. “I’ll end things next week.”
After exchanging a few more words, I hung up. My chest felt heavy as I tucked my phone back into my purse. Taking a moment, I gathered myself, then returned to the table, a calm smile in place. I had to keep up appearances, at least for now.
When I sat down, Daniel looked up at me, his usual lazy grin spreading across his face.
“What took you so long, babe?” he asked, leaning in a bit closer.
I forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Just some work stuff.”
The chatter continued around us, their laughter echoing like it had before, the jokes about me still rolling in. But this time, I wasn’t oblivious. I understood every word, every mocking tone.
Their voices blended together, their taunts still ringing in my ears, but I stood firm. They didn’t know who I really was. They didn’t know the truth about me.
They thought I was just a naive, penniless girl, clinging to Daniel’s wealth and status. But I wasn’t.