The following days saw New York become a stage for grand dramas.
The Lopez family collapsed completely, drowning in debt. Scott’s father suffered a stroke and was hospitalized after the devastating blow.
The Moores, implicated in commercial fraud, were thoroughly investigated. Overnight, they fell from second–tier elites to laughingstocks across New York.
Scott and Maria became stray dogs with nowhere to go.
I next saw Scott in a shabby diner.
He was drinking himself into a stupor, slurring nonsense at his companions.
“I…I tell ya, my wife’s Kimberly Garcia!”
“She…she loves me most! Gave up her legs for me!”
“We’re gettin‘ back together soon! Then you’ll all beg on your knees!”
His tablemates eyed him like he was insane, bursting into raucous laughter.
“Enough, old Scott! Pay up already!”
“Yeah! Think you can pull a Dine and Dash?”
Shoved roughly, Scott fished crumpled bills from his pocket and tossed them on the table. “En…enough?”
“Not even close!” The owner yanked his collar, “Still three hundred short!”
Scott tumbled to the floor, utterly humiliated.
Watching from my car, I felt nothing.
Russell asked, “Want to check on him?”
I shook my head. “No need, bro. Let’s go.”
As the car pulled away, I didn’t look back.
Some souls deserve no pity.
A week later, the French Royal Ballet performed.
From my premium seat, I watched Anna dancing gracefully across the stage–a celestial being descended to earth.
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My heart soared with her.
Thunderous applause followed the final note.
During curtain call, Anna descended purposefully to embrace me. “Kim, long time no see.”
“Indeed, Anna. You were breathtaking.”
“You could dance too.” Her earnest eyes met mine. “How’s your leg now?”
“Healing well.” I smiled. “Might return to the stage soon.”
“Marvelous!” She clasped my hands. “We’re all waiting for your comeback!”
Leaving the theater, I encountered an unexpected figure at the entrance.
Scott.
In a cheap suit, hair meticulously combed, clutching oversized roses–clearly lying in wait.
Spotting me, he scurried over with an ingratiating grin. “Kimberly! How was the show?”
I ignored him, walking straight ahead.
He chattered on behind me. “Kim, I’ve changed! Got a decent job now–I’ll earn properly, treat you right!”
“Let’s forget the past and start over, yeah?”
Halting abruptly, I turned with icy detachment. “Scott Lopez. Do you truly think I’m still that fool?”
His smile froze.
I pointed at my leg. “This place once held all my dreams.”
“It was you who shattered them with your own hands.”
“And now you think a casual suggestion of ‘starting over‘ can erase everything?”
“What gives you the right?”
Scott stood stunned into silence, the roses in his hands suddenly seeming absurd.
His lips parted as if to explain, but no words came out.
“Kimberly…” He finally whispered my name hoarsely, his eyes red–rimmed like a rabbit’s.
“Don’t call me that. It’s disgusting.” I cut him off icily.
“Scott Lopez, whatever existed between us ended the moment you handed that peppermint candy to Amanda.”
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Chapter 10
Chapter 10
288 (Vouchers
“No, it’s not!”
