Chapter 3 Back then , Gary had been devastated . He swore he would never forget the pain I endured , and he would spend his life making it up to me . However , he had now forgotten . I didn't break down as Lucy expected . Instead , I forced a faint smile . " It's fine . It's just a minor injury . " What they didn't know was that I no longer feared cats , because some people were worse than animals . I bowed and offered an apology, but Lucy sneered , saying it wasn't enough . " You should kneel . That would show sincerity , " she said Her words made my eyes burn . I turned to leave . Lucy instantly pouted , tears welling up . " Gary , she won't even kneel . She's not sincere ! " His cold gaze fixed on me at orice , his tone dripping with disdain . " It's just kneeling . What's so noble about you ? Think about Mr. Johnson ... " I bit back the humiliation and sank to my knees . " I'm sorry . " Tears blurred my vision , and my dignity was crushed into dust . Gary's friends smirked in open disdain . They had always disliked me , believing that Lucy , their university classmate , was his true match . " What a disgrace . Why doesn't she just leave already ? " " If I were her , I'd have died of shame long ago . " " To Gary , she isn't worth a single strand of Lucy's hair . How pathetic . " Their words made my eyes sting , and his favoritism toward her made my chest ache with grief . Lucy , smug with victory , added , " Why don't you cut up these dresses yourself ? That would prove your sincerity . " My gaze darted to Gary as I fought to keep my emotions in check For a moment , he hesitated , as though torn . However , when Lucy leaned in to whisper in his ear with a coy and teasing expression , he faltered . " Zoey , no matter what , this started because of you . Just do as Lucy says , " he said . I said nothing . I only picked up the scissors and began to cut . The dresses I had poured my soul into turned into scraps before my eyes . Tears fell freely onto the scraps . Lucy even streamed it live . When I raised my head , her screen was filled with cruel , mocking comments . She beamed at my humiliation . " Alright ! That's enough for today , " she said at last . I left without a glance at Gary . However , he chased after me , catching my wrist . " Lucy is just young . She likes to fool around , but she means no harm . How do you think that makes me look when you walk away like that ? " I turned , my chest heavy with delayed grief and bitterness , I said coldly , " I did what you asked . Now let me go . " His brows furrowed as unease flickered across his face , the first hint that something vital was slipping away from him . I tore my wrist free and walked away without looking back . Soon after , my friends transferred the money to me , which I sent to the hospital . With the arrangements made , I returned to packing my luggage . Days passed The house grew emptier with each box , and the flight drew closer . Gary still left early and came home late , but I no longer cared where he went . I thought only of leaving . 1/2 Chapter 3 Then , on the eve of my departure , Lucy called me again . " Zoey , come to my house right now . "