Chapter 4

I decided to leave. There was nothing left for me here.

I was packing a single duffel bag when Izzy burst into my apartment, Liam trailing behind her like an accessory.

She didn't knock. She owned the world, why would she?

"Ethan, what are you doing? Are you crazy?"

She held out a velvet box. "This is for your father. I know he had that old, cheap watch he loved. This is a Patek Philippe. He deserves the best."

Her cluelessness was astounding.

My father was dead. His cheap watch was a treasure because it was his.

I pushed the box away. "He doesn't need a watch."

Liam stepped forward, a sneer on his face. "Still playing hard to get, Miller? Izzy's offering you a fortune, and you're acting like a child."

His words solidified my resolve.

Later that day, I went to my old job to pick up my last paycheck.

Liam was there, with Izzy.

He made a show of it, loudly announcing to my former boss, "I'd like to buy Miller's station. How much for this... greasy spoon setup?"

He threw a thick wad of cash on the counter. Far more than it was worth.

My boss looked confused but took the money.

Izzy watched me, her expression unreadable. Trying to gauge my reaction for her "wealth test," no doubt.

I just nodded, took my small paycheck, and walked out.

Let her think I was greedy. Let her think whatever she wanted. It didn't matter anymore.

I headed straight for the airport.

As my plane was boarding, my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number, an assistant of Izzy's.

"Mr. Miller, Ms. Vance has dispatched a team of top cardiac specialists to your father's current hospital. She is very concerned and wants to ensure he receives the absolute best care. Can you confirm his room number?"

I didn't reply.

Later, I found out from a former colleague that Izzy, frantic when she couldn't reach me or my father, had sent her assistant to the hospital.

That' s when she learned the truth.

The assistant had to explain that Michael Miller died days ago.

Died because he stopped his treatment to save money.

Money he thought his son's girlfriend desperately needed.

Money Ethan had given her.

The assistant told her his ashes were already scattered.

The colleague said Izzy collapsed.

Devastated. Realizing the fatal cost of her game. Her misjudgment of my grief, my stoicism.

Good.