I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.
"Get lost, Amanda! Just the sight of you makes me sick!"
I didn't bother hiding the disgust in my voice.
Anger flickered in Amanda's eyes, but when she met my icy, contemptuous gaze, her confidence faltered. A trace of unease crept in.
"Oh, come on. It was just a little harmless flirting. Do you really have to be this dramatic?"
"Oh? And you weren't getting close to that little girl—"
"Shut up!"
My voice was sharp, cutting through the air like a blade.
"Amanda, if you dare to spew any more filth, I'll take you straight to court!"
Her chest rose and fell with fury.
She didn't understand.
The old me wouldn't have even raised my voice at her—let alone thrown insults.
But now? Now, I was actually using words meant to humiliate her.
For the first time, it hit her—some things had truly changed.
Amanda forced herself to swallow her anger.
"Fine, I won't say another word. Just calm down. I'll come find you tomorrow."
"No need."
I let out a cold chuckle.
"Running between two men must be exhausting. Why don't you just focus on Ethan?"
Amanda clenched her jaw. In the end, she turned on her heel and stormed off, seething.
---
That weekend, I got a call from Sophie.
"Hey! Wanna go shopping tomorrow?"
I almost declined out of habit.
But her next words made me pause.
"Don't tell me you're still thinking about getting back with your ex?"
Me?
Not a chance.
I hesitated for a beat before finally saying, "Alright. I'll go."
The next day, I arrived at the meeting spot and spotted Sophie right away.
She looked different today.
Dressed in denim shorts and a simple T-shirt, she was effortlessly stunning.
The moment she saw me, she jumped up and waved, her energy so infectious that people around her couldn't help but glance her way.
I had to admit—Sophie was breathtaking.
She could pull off so many different looks with ease.
At work, she was the picture of a poised, professional woman.
Off the clock, she transformed into a lively, carefree girl.
It was like the universe had been especially generous to her.
Plenty of guys at the office had tried to pursue her.
But she turned them all down.
Despite her warmth, there was always a distance—like an invisible wall that kept people at bay.
"Come on! I'm ready to shop till I drop today!"
The moment we met, Sophie grabbed my arm and started pulling me along.
I let out a helpless chuckle. Every guy knows—shopping with a woman is pure torture.
"So... do we actually have a plan, or are we just wandering aimlessly?"
Sophie stuck out her tongue playfully. "Oh, come on! You're still young, but you sound like such an old man."
"I don't care! Today, we're going to shop, shop, shop, and buy, buy, buy!"
I was still hesitating when she suddenly reached out and took my hand.
"Let's go!"
Just as she tugged me toward the mall entrance, a furious shriek rang out behind us.
"Lucas!"