Paid to Disappear on His Proposal Night - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

I couldn't wrap my head around it. How could he be so cruel? This was the same man I'd fallen for two years ago—the one who'd whispered sweet promises like they were sacred.
That Evil Eye necklace wasn't just some trinket. My grandmother gave it to me when I was a sick kid, back when nothing seemed to help. She'd spent an entire day praying in church for my recovery, and on her way home, some street vendor convinced her this cheap little charm could protect me. To anyone else, it was junk. To me? It was love, pure and simple.
And he knew that. He'd even said once, "I envy you, having a grandmother like that. If it were mine, I'd never let it go." He swore he'd love me the same way—unconditionally.
But here we were. Not only had he stopped loving me, he'd tossed that necklace like it was trash.
Maybe it was the shock of seeing me completely shattered, because his voice actually faltered when he admitted, "I threw it out the day before yesterday. Garbage pickup was this morning."
I stared at him, fury burning through me. "If I don't find it, we're done."
I turned on my heel and stormed out. My best friend followed silently, and the elevator ride down felt endless. All I could think about was diving into that dumpster to dig for something so small, so irreplaceable.
Maybe luck was on my side. Or maybe the universe knew I didn't deserve this. After tearing through three bins, there it was—the tarnished little Evil Eye, still just as precious.
Back at the apartment, I showered, changed, and packed a single box of my things. I asked my friend to stay behind and keep an eye on Darryl while I left.
I never wanted to see him again. Just looking at him felt like staring at the worst mistake of my life.
But of course, fate had other plans. Two days later, I walked into my dad's restaurant—only to find Darryl and Courtney at the next table.
I'd planned to treat my best friend to dinner as a thank-you for helping me kick Darryl out, but she bailed last minute. So there I was, alone, sliding into a window seat… when I spotted them. And of course, they spotted me.
I ignored them, but the second the waiter came over, Darryl couldn't resist. He slid into the seat across from me with a smirk.
"June," he sneered, "I get that you're bitter, but stalking me? Ordering all this fancy food to show off? Pathetic. You're just making me pity you."
He turned to the waiter. "Her bill's gotta be over a grand, right? Cancel it. She can't afford this place. If she tries to dine and dash, you'll be on the hook."
The waiter hesitated, glancing between us.
"She's my ex," Darryl went on, "Trust me, I know her finances. She guilt-tripped her parents—bun sellers—into buying her a house. Now she's probably draining their savings to eat here. People like her don't belong in upscale spots. Kick her out."
I actually laughed. "I can't afford it? You, who begged me to cover your rent every month? You're terrified I'll notice you only ordered the cheapest thing on the menu, aren't you?"*
Bullseye. His face flushed crimson. "That's—that's not true! I just… hadn't finished ordering yet!"
He snatched the menu and started listing off the most expensive dishes like it would prove something. "Waiter, add the Boston lobster, king crab, and—uh—this wine-and-scallop set."
His voice was all bravado, but I could practically hear his wallet screaming.
The waiter looked at me, and I just waved her off. "I'm fine. You can go."
Darryl leaned back, smug, like he'd won. As if my mere presence could ruin his meal.