Chapter 10 Who knew Luke would lose his mind like this, haunting me with his persistence. Every few days he'd fly to New York, suddenly forgetting about his girlfriends and mistresses. Like without me around, he'd lost all passion for his affairs-even cheating had lost its thrill. [ignored him and went ahead with my planned trip to Montana during my break. was sick of the noise and chaos, tired of information overload. Sometimes you need nature to cleanse your soul. so I picked a cabin with wind and light, mountains and lakes, and slow, peaceful time. urprisingly, I ran into Sophia on this trip. he clearly hadn't expected it either. After two days of awkward encounters, she finally couldn't help but approach me. hough her opening line was pretty obnoxious. "You look way better now that you've divorced my brother." pulled my hat down over my face, my voice muffled. "Not chasing after your friend June anymore?" he plopped down next to me, complaining but excited. "Did you know June doesn't even like men? She had a girlfriend this whole time and never told me." I made myself look like an idiot for years thinking she liked Luke. How was I supposed to know I was completely delusional?" ince she started talking, news just poured out of her nonstop. or the next two days, Sophia stuck to me like glue. I figured she was there to advocate for Luke. When I mentioned it, she waved me off. You're giving me way too much credit. If he can't win you back, that's on him. I'm not getting involved." ut a few days later, Luke showed up in Montana like some persistent ghost. ight in front of Sophia, I didn't hold back-I tore into him and walked away. ophia patted his shoulder. "Luke." uke looked away, forcing patience. "What?" When you're sick, you go see a doctor," she said pitifully. "You don't fly to Montana to gawk at cows." had no intention of swearing off men for the rest of my life, and when work stress got too intense, I liked finding some pretty young guys to date. ason was a newcomer at the entertainment company I invested in. He was sweet and gorgeous, so I made an exception and kept him around. When Luke heard I was dating someone, he flew to New York overnight. le stayed completely calm, offering his verdict. "Pretty boy, all talk." Then he flew back to Manhattan. ason wasn't fazed. He leaned against my shoulder, playing innocent. "He called me pretty and said I was smooth. But Leah, you like me exactly how I am, right? uke thought everyone else was clueless and only he saw clearly. Don't be naive. That twenty-year-old'just wants your money and connections. You seriously think he gives a shit about you?" How could I tell him that was actually perfect? had so little genuine feeling left, love had vanished completely, and money was all I had to offer. These days, I was thrilled when men talked money and resources with me instead of love and romance. When he flew to New York again, he saw who was standing beside me now. This time he frowned slightly. "New guy?" Jason was great except for his dishonesty. At first I thought he came from nothing, a clean slate entering the entertainment world with no backing-so pitiful that it made sense for me to support him. But later I accidentally found out his family were New York royalty. This rich boy was slumming it in entertainment for fun while treating me like a sugar mama. How could I stand for that? The day I cut him off, he was still playing victim, soaked like a drowned rat. "If I'd told you I was rich, you wouldn't have looked at me twice." That wasn't the point. Whatever the reason, people shouldn't start relationships with lies. Compared to his drama and heartbreak, I was as calm as if I'd missed some insignificant investment opportunity. There were plenty of pretty, obedient men out there. Lose one, and thousands more would take his place. I nodded at Luke, very generous. "The last one wasn't well-behaved. This one's more obedient." We could actually discuss this so peacefully, like the divorce and destruction were from another lifetime. Luke's expression relaxed slightly, still making his calm assessment. "Looks pretty but useless." He had this confident look, like he was saying-Leah, play around all you want. You don't mean it. After what you went through with me, you can't seriously care about these losers. This relationship lasted quite a while. Long enough that Luke kept asking, "Why haven't you broken up yet?" still with that same smug, know-it-all attitude, like my dating life was just me acting out and I'd get over it soon. I'd had enough. "Are you insane?" He was completely shameless and guilt-free. "Yeah, lovesick." didn't pay attention to his feelings. A divorced man stalking his ex-wife like this was just embarrassing. Sometimes he'd call in the middle of the night, ruining my sleep just to ask when I was coming back to Manhattan. Maybe midnight makes people more honest-his nighttime apologies seemed more genuine. Not like his fake daytime act. A few times his voice trembled as he said, word by word, "Leah, I regret it." Then the next day he'd act like nothing happened. Occasionally I'd get calls from his mother. Her tone was always flat. "Luke's hurt. Are you coming to Manhattan to see him?" Before I could answer, she'd continue talking to herself. "It's fine if you don't come. He won't die." didn't care what happened in his life. My life was back on track-my company was growing, I had close friends and charming lovers. I wasn't losing sleep over anything anymore. or a long time after that, Luke and I maintained this weird balance. He could fly to New York or go back to Manhattan whenever he wanted. I wouldn't interfere at all. knew what he was waiting for. He was waiting for the day I'd "come to my senses" and return to his trap. But take-people don't make the same mistake twice.