18
10:01 AM
As deep winter set in, I was shoveling snow in my yard when Blake Sterling arrived.
He stood at the door in a pilled coat. I opened it and let him in, the warmth of the house instantly melting the snowflakes on his shoulders.
Blake looked around the house, then sat on the sofa, taking a sip of hot water to compose himself.
“Moonlight, I…”
He mumbled, unable to form a complete sentence. But I knew that the Blake Sterling before me was no longer the respected CEO.
The vast business empire left by Mr. Sterling Sr. was not something Blake had managed to hold onto.
Because of a single Skylar Vance, Blake had lost his father’s life’s work.
The day Sterling Enterprises went bankrupt, Blake called me countless times. I didn’t answer. I didn’t want to take on Blake’s negative energy.
Later, he stopped calling. I looked at the news reports of one colossal fine and penalty after another, calculated for a while, and already guessed Blake Sterling’s fate.
My lawyer told me Blake had sold everything he could in the country. After paying the penalties and fines, there wasn’t much left.
He only had one mansion left unsent – I knew it was the one I used to live in. But his “love,” coming so late, was worth less than dirt.
Skylar Vance’s ending was tragic. She was also imprisoned for tax issues.
That news remained on the headlines for at least a week.
Her haggard face and vacant eyes were plastered across every front page.
It was hard for anyone to connect her with the once–glamorous rising star, Skylar Vance.
“Moonlight, do we still have a chance?”
Blake’s voice was hoarse. His gaunt hands clutched the cup, the hot steam rising ethereally into the air.
“Blake Sterling, you don’t even deserve me anymore.”
I said, sitting on the sofa opposite him, scrutinizing the man I had once loved so desperately.
His hair was a tangled mess, like a bird’s nest, his face etched with wrinkles, and his chin covered in days–old stubble.
“Blake Sterling, do you remember the first time you saw me? You looked like you’d stepped right out of a dream to me then. But you changed so fast.”
“You said you hated conformity, so after your father passed away, you started indulging yourself. You thought I’d cling to you because of my father’s medical bills.”
“But you were wrong. Even the money I used to clean up your scandals was from my father’s inheritance.”
“Blake Sterling, you truly don’t deserve it.”
After saying all this, the long–held breath in my chest finally released.
Blake Sterling stared at me, dumbfounded, his eyes filled with surprise, loss, and regret. But none of it mattered to me anymore.
He finished the water in his cup, slowly stood up, and bid me farewell. His last words before leaving were, “I’m sorry.”
I closed the door, watching him walk out of the yard gate, across the lawn, until his figure vanished from my sight.
Half a month later, I saw the news of Sterling Enterprises CEO’s suicide.
Chloe gasped, asking me why.
J closed the door, watching him walk out of the yard gate, across the lawn, until his figure vanished from my sight.
Half a month later, I saw the news of Sterling Enterprises CEO’s suicide.
Chloe gasped, asking me why.
I couldn’t say why. I just hugged Liam and took a sip of red wine.
Who cares why? He got what he deserved.
