Me: "Alright. Don't worry, I won't bother you."
I understood perfectly what he meant.
I wasn't stupid. He wanted to hide our relationship and only saw me as a sexual partner.
It would damage his reputation if anyone found out about us.
People in high society were all hypocrites. I wasn't surprised at all.
In fact, I was relieved, because I didn't want anyone to know I was his sexual partner.
I let out a long sigh of relief and went upstairs after he left.
I was happy that I had managed to gather the money despite all the difficulties.
Now, I was thrilled that Dad could finally be saved. I would do anything for my parents.
I was deeply moved when I found out Liliana had been going around asking for money to help pay for the surgery.
After all, she was the only one helping and encouraging me during such a hard time.
I called her and told her to come home immediately because I had finally gathered the money.
Half an hour later, she finally came back. She rushed to the refrigerator and took several big gulps of ice-cold water before I could speak.
Me: "Liliana, what's wrong with you?
Why are you so thirsty?"
I walked toward her, looking at her with concern.
Liliana: "I ran to a few friends to borrow money but they all rejected me with all kinds of excuses!
It was so frustrating!"
Liliana drank a few more gulps before looking at me angrily.
I knew she had been trying to help me collect the money, and hearing her made me even more emotional.
Me: "Don't worry about the money. I found enough."
I walked closer to Liliana and hugged her.
I was moved to tears to have a friend like her when I was going through such a difficult time.
Liliana: "Really? You actually found enough money? How did you do it?"
She looked at me in surprise.
I knew she would ask that, but I didn't know how to answer because I didn't want to reveal my relationship with Nathan.
Me: "You don't have to worry about it.
In short, I found enough for my father's surgery tomorrow."
I deliberately changed the subject and avoided her question.
She knew me better than anyone.
She examined me for a moment, then stopped being curious, knowing I must have my reasons.
Me: "Thank you, Liliana."
I thanked her sincerely as I looked her in the eyes.
Liliana: "Silly girl. We're best friends—you don't have to thank me like that. Your problems are my problems."
Liliana placed her hands on my shoulders and shrugged casually.
I knew she was actually embarrassed by my sincere gratitude.
I went to bed early after eating a simple meal.
I needed to stay focused because my father would be operated on the next day.
I had to take care of my health so I could look after him once he came out of surgery.
Just as I was about to go pick up my father for the surgery, my mother called to tell me they were already at the best hospital in Milshire.
When I arrived, my father was already in a VIP ward, and a dedicated nurse had been assigned to him.
Me: "Mom, how did you get here?"
I asked lightly as I looked at them.
Mom: "Didn't you ask your friend to pick us up?
Your friend is really kind. He sent a car to bring us here since your father is still weak and shouldn't get too tired."
She smiled as she spoke.
I frowned. When had I ever asked a friend to pick them up from my hometown?
Liliana was my only friend and she would never do such a thing.
Could it be… Nathan?
The more I thought about it, the more certain I became.
When he left yesterday, he had told me he would send my father to the best hospital.
I didn't expect him to be serious—I thought he was joking.
It was nine in the morning.
It took at least six or seven hours to get from my hometown to the hospital.
Had he sent someone to pick up my parents last night?
Emotions overwhelmed me.
I felt grateful, but at the same time, I started developing feelings for him.
Mom: "What are you thinking about, Irene? You look so lost in thought."
I was pulled from my thoughts as she tapped my shoulder and looked at me suspiciously.
I snapped back to reality and panicked when I saw her expression.
Me: "Oh, it's nothing. I was thinking about work."
I didn't dare mention Nathan in front of my parents.
My father would be furious if he knew the kind of deal I had made with Nathan.
Mom: "Stop thinking about work. You don't need to push yourself so hard."
She knew I had always taken work seriously, so she didn't doubt me and even felt worried when I tried to reassure her.
Me: "I know. Don't worry, I'll take care of myself."
I gave her a faint smile, feeling guilty inside.
Since the surgery was scheduled for the afternoon, I stayed with my father in his hospital room all morning.
I sighed and felt a surge of sadness as I looked at his aging face.
Mom: "Irene, what happened between you and Perry? Why did you cancel the wedding so suddenly?"
After a long conversation with my father, my mother pulled me aside and started questioning me about Perry.
I had only informed them about the cancellation, but I didn't give them the reason because I didn't want them to get angry.
Me: "It's nothing. I just felt we weren't compatible, so I called off the wedding."
My body trembled slightly, and I looked at my mother with guilt when I heard his name.
I had ended things with Perry, and I didn't want my parents to worry any more than they already did.
Mom: "You're my daughter. Do you think I wouldn't know if you were lying to me?
You've been in love with Perry for so long.
How could you cancel the wedding just like that?
You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
My mother knew me too well.
I always tried to be cheerful and positive in front of her, so she didn't believe me at all.
She also knew how much I used to love Perry and had hoped we would get married soon.
Everyone would wonder why the wedding was canceled, but my parents even more.
My mother looked at me and sighed helplessly.
Me: "All of that is in the past now. Don't worry about it.
I'll go get the doctor to check on Dad's condition."
I patted her shoulder and changed the subject.
I let out a long sigh and headed toward the doctor's office.
I felt relieved when I learned that the surgical risks were low and that my father's condition was perfect for the operation.
I bought lunch near the hospital and ran into Liliana at the entrance.
She had planned to accompany me in the morning, but her boss had overloaded her with work, so she couldn't come until noon.
As we were walking toward the hospital building, we heard a voice.
"Irene."
Liliana and I stopped at the same time and turned around.
Courtney was walking toward us with a proud, smug expression, her arm linked with Perry's.
It had been a long time since I had seen them.
But I didn't want to pay them any attention.
There was no point wasting time on someone like Courtney.
So I grabbed Liliana's arm and tried to leave.
However, Courtney clearly had no intention of letting me go.
She spoke again just as we began to walk away.
Courtney: "Irene, why are you leaving when you see us? We're friends, aren't we?
You don't want to greet us?"
I was furious.
I knew she was trying to provoke me, but I didn't want to react.
I didn't want to start a fight—not today, not when my father was having surgery in the afternoon.
But Liliana was short-tempered.
She pulled me back and glared fiercely at Courtney.
Liliana: "I was wondering who that was.
Oh, it's the mistress!
Are you proud now, replacing Irene—
picking up her trash like the piece of garbage you are?"
Liliana looked at Courtney with utter disdain and spoke seriously.
Courtney's expression changed instantly, and she stared back at Liliana in anger.
Courtney: "Liliana, this is between Irene and me.
It's none of your business."
Courtney glared at her, annoyed that Liliana was defending me.
Liliana: "Irene's business is my business!
I can't stay quiet watching how vile you are.
Perry must've been completely blind to choose someone like you."
Courtney was vicious, but Liliana wasn't an easy target either.
She put her hands on her hips and pointed at Courtney with disdain.
I stayed silent and glanced at Perry.
When he saw me, he looked guilty.
Courtney's face paled and twisted with rage at Liliana's words.
I turned to Liliana, shocked and worried, just as Courtney raised her hand to slap her.
I wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
It looked like Liliana was about to get slapped—
Fortunately, Liliana seemed prepared.
Fueled by anger, she stopped Courtney's hand mid-air.
Liliana: "Courtney Hunt! Who do you think you are?
You dare try to slap me?"
Liliana spoke coldly as she forcefully pushed Courtney's hand away.
But that wasn't the end.
She lifted her other hand and slapped Courtney hard.
Smack!
The sound echoed loudly.
Courtney clutched her face in pain, her cheek already turning red and swollen.
Except for Liliana, everyone around us was stunned.
I never expected Liliana to actually slap Courtney.
Courtney was dumbstruck.
Her face twisted even more as she snapped out of her shock.
Courtney: "Liliana! How dare you hit me?!"
She glared at Liliana with murderous fury, her shrill voice drawing the attention of passersby.
Liliana: "That slap was for Irene.
She treated you like a sister, yet you stole her fiancé by seducing him.
How can you be so shameless?
And you still dare to show your face here?
You truly have no dignity."
Liliana wasn't the least bit intimidated.
She spoke coldly, staring at Courtney with a blank, icy expression.
As soon as Liliana said that, everyone turned to look at Courtney and Perry.
People began whispering and pointing fingers.
Courtney, already furious after being slapped, grew even more enraged by the murmurs and accusations around her.
Her face contorted further as she lost control and tried to lunge at Liliana.
Perry, who hadn't said a single word so far, finally frowned.
He glanced around and frowned even more when he noticed everyone's attention on them.
Perry had always been concerned about appearances.
Naturally, he felt humiliated seeing Courtney act this way in public.
He looked annoyed and frustrated with her.
Courtney was acting like a madwoman, and I was worried she might hurt Liliana, so I rushed forward and pushed her away before she could attack.
I pushed her with a lot of force—partly because I wanted to protect Liliana,
but partly because I had my own reasons.
Courtney had been someone I considered my best friend,
yet she had seduced my fiancé behind my back.
Even though my anger had faded, a part of me still resented her.
So a part of me took this opportunity to get a bit of revenge.
Courtney fell back from the force, her hair messy from the struggle with Liliana.
Perry frowned at the scene and stepped forward to help her up, looking at her with disgust.
Perry: "Are you okay?"
Courtney: "Do I look okay to you?!
Irene and Liliana bullied me together!
Don't you care about me?
I'm your girlfriend—
and you just stood there doing nothing?!"
Courtney immediately looked at Perry with teary eyes after saying that.
Men could never stand to see a woman cry—
especially a vain man like Perry.
Seeing her pitiful expression, he instantly pulled her into his arms with a gentle look.
Perry: "I have nothing to do with Irene anymore.
Just pretend you don't see her if you run into her again.
Stop causing trouble every time, alright?"
He wasn't wrong.
The situation was already messy, and he didn't want to draw more attention.
But Courtney was petty and refused to back down.
Of course she wasn't going to let it go—
and she redirected her anger at Perry.
Courtney: "What do you mean causing trouble?
What are you trying to say?!
You think I deserved to be hit?!
I'm your girlfriend!
You're not going to defend me when others attack me?!"
Perry: "Stop making a scene right now, okay?
Can't you see the people around us?
Do you want to make an even bigger mess?"
After saying that, Perry felt embarrassed by the stares around them.
He grabbed Courtney's hand, wanting to leave immediately.
But the next second, Courtney pulled her hand away and came toward us again.
I frowned, anger flaring.
This woman was becoming more and more unbearable.
Not only had she stolen my fiancé,
but she kept attacking me over and over again.
My patience with her was reaching its limit.