Chapter 8
Louie’s POV
When I looked at Lindsay’s tear–streaked face, I snapped, frustrated, “I was just messing around with you. Can you stop clinging to me already?”
My words made her cry even harder. As she sobbed, she started hitting my chest with her fists. “That’s not what you said before. You said you liked me.“}
“Cut it out already! You’re driving me crazy!” I barked. “I was just unwilling to spend my whole life sleeping with only Tamara. I was never going to marry you. And let’s be real–you threw yourself at me. What, did you think I’d say no to free fun?“}
I said it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Lindsay stared at me, completely stunned. For a moment, she even forgot to cry.
“You’re a damn jerk, Louie!” she screamed, then slapped me hard across the face. Sobbing uncontrollably, she threw open the car door and ran off.}
I lit a cigarette, irritated, watching her storm away. Then I pulled out my phone and started calling everyone I could think of–Tamara’s friends, coworkers, anyone who might know where she was.
But no luck. One by one, they all said the same thing: they hadn’t heard from her in days.}
I smoked through an entire pack of cigarettes before finally deciding to go straight to Tamara’s company. I had caused a scene there not long ago and had sworn I wouldn’t show my face again–but now, pride didn’t matter.}
When I got to the company, I didn’t even make it through the front doors before a security guard stepped in to block me.
Turned out, I was on their radar as someone to watch.
“I just want to see my wife,” I said, trying to explain myself. I even took out a photo. “Look, this is her. She works here, right?“} The guard glanced at the photo and said flatly, “Even if I let you in, it wouldn’t matter. She hasn’t been to the office in days.“>
Defeated, I dragged myself home, completely lost.”
Where had she gone?>
I hated myself. When Tamara had loved me, I took that love for granted, hurt her again and again without a second thought. And now that she was gone, now that she had finally given up, I realized how much I needed her.}
But it was too late.
I retraced every place we used to go together–parks, cafés, restaurants–searching desperately. But she was nowhere to be found.
i kept calling her over and over, but every time, the answer was the same. “The number you’ve dialed is outside the service area.“}
Tamara’s POV
I had come here alone to Europe. It took some time to get used to the lifestyle and culture. But seeing how the company Mr. Fowler had invested in was improving day by day, that sense of progress made the loneliness easier to bear.”
Every morning, I showed up full of energy, juggling meetings and coordinating tasks.
I didn’t think about Louie anymore. There simply wasn’t time.}
Even during baths, I was reading through pitch decks and strategy proposals. My schedule was packed from dawn to midnight.
It was exhausting, sure, but the thought of financial freedom being within reach made every hour worth it. I felt empowered, driven, and alive.
One month later, the European branch was beginning to take shape under my management. Mr. Fowler was pleased. Even his father, Mr. Randolph Fowler, personally commended me.}
Six months in, the project had built a strong reputation in the industry. My name was suddenly being mentioned by respected business leaders. I had already achieved half of my financial goals.
One day, I casually heard some news from back home–people mentioned Louie.
Apparently, after I left, he went into a frenzy trying to find me. He contacted every single one of my friends, begging them for information.
But they all knew how much I’d suffered in that relationship, so they kept my whereabouts a secret. No one told him anything. Still, somehow, he managed to find my address.
One evening, as I stepped out of the office, completely unaware, I came face–to–face with Louie, waiting for me at the building’s entrance.
