I Was Abandoned by My Fiancé and Betrayed by My Best Friend—A Story from Rock Bottom - Chapter 15

The iron door opened with a heavy groan.

The moment I stepped into the outside light, I squinted my eyes tightly.

(…I never thought I’d be released this soon. Did someone hit their head or something?)

While spewing venom in my heart, I kept up a defiant expression on my face.

Accompanied by two police officers, I headed toward the automatic doors at the main entrance of the police station where I’d been detained.

(Who on earth bailed me out? I can’t think of anyone I know who would—)

The doors opened, and the outside air seeped into my body.

But the next moment, I came face to face with an unexpected person, and my thoughts froze solid.

“…No way. It was you… Hiroyasu.”

Standing there to meet me was the man I had just broken up with a few days ago.

—And more than anything, he was the very reason I had been arrested after attacking him with murderous intent.

He was wearing a well-tailored suit and looked respectable at first glance.

But upon closer inspection, his shoes were dusty, and his shirt collar was wrinkled.

Gone was his former confident demeanor, and faint shadows were visible under his eyes.

Overall, he seemed wrapped in a somewhat grimy shadow.

“…I came to pick you up.”

At his strained, low voice, I couldn’t help but let a scornful smile surface.

“Why? I’m the woman who tried to kill you. Besides, didn’t I break up with you because I didn’t like you? I don’t understand this at all.”

Unfazed by my provocative words, he spoke with determination.

“—Come with me. …I’ll explain everything.”

“How presumptuous. What if I refuse?”

“I’m begging you!”

He bowed slightly deeper than necessary.

Seeing Hiroyasu’s somewhat haggard, desperate expression, my will to resist faded.

“…Fine. We’re drawing attention here, so take me somewhere proper.”

A light shone in Hiroyasu’s eyes.

“Yeah, I understand.”

◆◆◆

We entered a quiet, upscale cafe and sat alone.

“First of all, I appreciate you getting me out.”

“…Yeah.”

I crossed my arms, making no attempt to hide my irritation.

“So? Why go out of your way for me? Start from there.”

Hiroyasu made a bitter face and began speaking while looking down.

“My company is failing. We made bad investments and lost trust from our business partners. My father helped me gather your bail money, but he’s cut me off too, and all the women have left me.”

With a pathetic expression, Hiroyasu barely managed to continue.

“…No one will help me anymore. You’re all I have left, Kaya-san.”

“Hmm…”

—Serves you right. Poetic justice.

That’s what I thought.

I no longer felt any interest in Hiroyasu whatsoever.

But deep in my heart, there was just one thing. The fact that this man, whom I had loved until just recently, was clinging to me.

I felt a strange pleasure in that.

(—Maybe he still has some use…)

Just then, as soon as I thought Hiroyasu had stood up.

He came before me, knelt on the floor, and bowed his head deeply.

“Kaya-san, please! Give me another chance! Lend me your strength once more!”

At Hiroyasu’s sudden cry, the sparsely scattered customers began to murmur.

“What’s that…?” “He’s prostrating himself…”

Whispers and stares gathered.

Hiroyasu continued desperately bowing his head, staining the knees of his nice suit.

His appearance only emphasized his wretchedness.

Remaining seated in my chair, I looked down on him coldly.

“…Do you really want to get back with me? Or do you still have feelings for Miharu?”

The moment that name left my lips, Hiroyasu’s shoulders twitched.

But he kept his lips tightly sealed and said nothing.

(Idiot. Your back is telling me everything.)

I felt the flames of jealousy that had been smoldering deep in my chest reignite.

“Pathetic man. Even though you chose me, you can’t forget that woman in your heart.”

“That’s not true. It’s only you.”

Trying to push through with such an obvious lie.

Hiroyasu just kept his forehead to the floor and whispered, “…Please.”

His appearance had become too miserable to bear watching.

I stood up and looked down at Hiroyasu.

“…What a hopeless man. Fine. I’ll spend a little more time with you.”

Leaving those triumphant words for his pitiful state, I savored my premium iced coffee.

Hiroyasu gazed at me as if clinging to hope, a pathetic smile leaking from his lips.

A soundless sob echoed poisonously through the quiet cafe.

(In the end, I’m the one who gets chosen unlike someone like Miharu.)

After making Hiroyasu pay the bill and stepping outside the cafe, I let out a small snort of laughter.

—However, behind that smile, I didn’t yet know that this would lead to even greater misfortune.