Ever since Ethan came into the picture, Amanda never told me when she went on business trips.
Because business trips were just an excuse—an excuse to meet him.
At my words, a flicker of guilt flashed across Amanda's face, her voice losing its usual confidence.
"T-then... when will you be back?"
"That's none of your concern."
I threw the words at her and turned to leave.
Her eyes instantly reddened. In a desperate move, she reached for my suitcase, trying to snatch it from my grasp.
"I won't allow it! You can't leave!"
I sighed, shaking my head.
"What's the point, Amanda?"
"You know me. Once I make a decision, I don't look back. You can stop me this time, but what about next time? What about forever?"
"I can stop you," she insisted, her voice trembling with conviction.
Then, without warning, she threw her arms around me, tilting her head up—
Going in for a kiss.
Disgusted, I shoved her away.
She froze.
Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over like broken pearls.
"Why...?" Her voice cracked.
"Why are you doing this to me?!"
She broke down, fists pounding against my chest, sobs shaking her small frame.
I stared at her, expressionless.
"You already know why," I said quietly.
"So stop pretending to be the victim."
Amanda stiffened.
Of course, she knew.
She had always known.
But instead of changing, she had spent all this time pushing me, forcing me to compromise.
I gently pried her hands off me, grabbed my suitcase, and walked out.
She didn't chase after me this time.
She just collapsed onto the floor the moment I stepped outside, burying her face in her hands as her shoulders trembled.
---
I checked into a hotel for the night.
Late at night, Sophie sent me a message.
"Want me to pick you up from home tomorrow?"
I sent her my hotel location instead and turned off my phone.
That night, I slept better than I had in a long time.
---
The next morning, Sophie's call woke me up.
"I'm downstairs. Hurry up."
"Got it. I'll be right there."
After a quick wash-up, I grabbed my suitcase and headed down.
The moment I stepped outside, I spotted them—
Sophie and Amanda, locked in a tense standoff at the hotel entrance.
I frowned, quickening my pace.
"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked Amanda coldly.
Her eyes were red, her gaze toward Sophie sharp and filled with hostility.
She scoffed. "So *this* is your business trip? With her?"
I smirked.
"Oh? And who else should I be going with? You?"
Her face paled.
I scoffed. "Sophie and I are going on an actual work trip, Amanda. Not everyone is as shameless as you."
Amanda flinched.
Sophie rolled her eyes at her and tossed me the car keys.
"You drive. I don't feel like it."
"Sure."
As the car pulled away, I never once spared Amanda another glance.
Not even a second.
---
Inside the car, I glanced at Sophie. "What were you two fighting about this time?"
She leaned back lazily against the seat, stretching.
"I should be asking you that. I got here this morning, and guess what? That woman was already sitting in the lobby, waiting."
She sat up, eyeing me suspiciously.
"Be honest. You didn't actually spend the night with her, did you?"
I shot her a glare. "Are you out of your mind?"
Then, I explained everything that had happened these past few days.
When I finished, Sophie let out a low whistle.
"Damn. That's some next-level obsession."
I scoffed.
"Obsession?"
I shook my head.
"I just find it exhausting."