I could see him staring at me coldly. His eyes were so sharp, like someone who hated me and didn't want me there. I thought John was acting this way because of the woman beside him. The red-haired woman was holding my boyfriend's hand affectionately.
"Who is she, darling?" The woman casually asked John about me.
I alternated my gaze between the two of them, constantly wondering who this woman was. However, without needing to ask, John mentioned her name clearly. "She's the woman I told you about, Maria."
I saw a smile forming on Maria's lips, especially after she learned about me. Without any shame, they acted intimately right in front of my eyes.
It was such a disgusting sight; I never thought John would cheat. Amid the silence, John suddenly spoke with a firm tone. "Let's end this relationship right now."
That statement truly shocked me. John decided to end our relationship in front of another woman—his mistress. Instantly, it made my body tremble, a sharp pain weakening my legs, making it hard to stand.
Initially, I had just come home from work. My body felt tired, and I thought I could rest upon arriving at this apartment. However, the first sight when the door opened was John being affectionate with that woman. They even continued their activities by kissing more deeply.
I had tried so hard all this time. I felt there was nothing wrong with our relationship; it was an attitude that shouldn't have been shown to me. I thought he truly loved me regardless of my background.
"I don't think you have any business here anymore. You can leave now because I don't want to live with you anymore." John's words startled me; he was throwing me out without reflecting on the year-long relationship we had.
We had been living together in John's apartment. I didn't pay for anything while staying here. But, I compensated in many ways, like preparing meals and serving John with all my effort.
"But, John, why?" I needed to confirm it again, but he had truly changed because of the woman beside him now.
"We are not on the same level, Ellena. You are just an ordinary girl with nothing. Haven't you realized it while living with me? I guess you are really a foolish woman." John sometimes acted cold and harsh towards me. This time, he couldn't hold back his hurtful words.
I always believed that our one-year relationship could make him love me more deeply. Despite his attitude, I always thought it was just because of his work. But now, I know the real reason why he ended our relationship and acted more harshly than before.
"Shouldn't you be apologizing to me? You're the one cheating and bringing this bitch here." My uncontrollable emotions finally burst out; I still wanted to save this relationship. But John didn't care about me and only looked at the woman beside him.
"How dare you insult Maria. You should look at yourself first. Don't talk too much, Ellena. You don't need to come in any further; your stuff is already packed." John started moving and threw my belongings that were already packed in a suitcase.
Ignoring what I said, John, helped by Maria, started throwing my things out of the apartment. He even pushed me out until I fell.
"Look at who's outside now? You'll never be a match for John. Just look at yourself in the mirror; you come from a lower class and shouldn't be a parasite in John's life." Maria seemed satisfied with insulting and driving me away from John. With her hands on her hips, she flashed an evil smile at me.
I struggled to stand up, but my legs felt so weak. Tears flowed uncontrollably. The one year I spent with John now seemed utterly meaningless. John didn't care as Maria insulted me. Everything I had been through turned out to be in vain for John. My efforts to keep him by my side were now repaid with such deep pain.
"John, please. Don't be like this. If something is wrong, we can talk it over first." I forced myself to get back inside, but Maria seemed to dominate the apartment now.
"Hey, you still shamelessly want to come in here. Have you lost all sense of shame? It's clear you've been thrown out; now get out!" Maria shouted at me, and John gave a crooked smile at that.
Annoyed by her words, I got up quickly to pull her hair. I even felt empowered to punish the woman who had an affair with John.
John saw us struggling and immediately pushed me away to save Maria, who almost got hit by my fist. "Are you crazy?! What are you doing, Ellena? Why are you so wild? Just go away, and don't ever bother me again!"
I was about to speak again, but John slammed the door shut, leaving me shocked. There was nothing more I could do now; I didn't know what to do with my life.
I remained seated on the floor, hoping John would reopen the door. But of course, that wouldn't happen. Just as I was about to pick up my clothes scattered around, my phone rang. When I looked, there was no name on the screen. My forehead furrowed. "Who's calling?"
I tried to stay calm, then answered the call. "Good evening, Miss Ellena. I'm a nurse at the hospital taking care of your uncle." It turned out to be the nurse from the hospital calling me. I didn't think it would be good news.
"Uncle Martin? What happened to him?" I asked with great concern. Uncle Martin was the only family I had.
"Your uncle went into shock and needs surgery. It will cost at least twenty thousand dollars for the operation." The news made me feel foolish.
My body froze, and my mind went blank, with no solution appearing. I had no place to sleep. Even though I worked, my savings wouldn't be enough. Now Uncle Martin needed a large sum of money.
I glanced at John's apartment door. Right, John came from a wealthy family. That bastard might help me get Uncle Martin into surgery.
I got up from my current position, and my legs started to stand firm again. However, my body was still trembling slightly, and anxiety enveloped me. I tried to move my hand to knock on the apartment door several times.
"John, please open the door. I have something important to tell you." I tried knocking hard and calling John to come out and meet me.
I called his name several times and knocked hard on the door. But he seemed not to hear me. Maybe the woman inside forbade John from coming out to meet me. But I didn't want to give up for Uncle Martin's sake.
After several attempts of knocking on the apartment door, John finally opened it. "John, help me. I need money for my uncle's surgery. He needs immediate treatment." My voice was filled with anxiety as I held John's hand, pleading.
Hearing my plea, John brushed my hand off, almost making me fall. His eyes showed uncontrollable anger. He spoke loudly and firmly. "What you're saying won't make me willing to help you. Isn't he your uncle? Why should I bother helping him? You can try yourself and find another way. Don't bother me anymore, Ellena!"
My tears seemed to have no effect on him. Sobbing, I still tried to get help from John. I lowered my body, pleading with a pitiful face, hoping John would save Uncle Martin.
I considered Uncle Martin like my parent. Since my parents passed away, Uncle Martin had cared for and looked after me. I didn't want to lose him.
"John, please. Help me. Uncle desperately needs that money for his surgery today. I don't have that much money for the hospital costs." My head bowed, but I glimpsed Maria's feet standing behind John, making me lift my face to see her.
A thin smile appeared on John's lips. He seemed to mock my current situation. "I don't care about what your uncle is going through. You better go there and stop bothering me. You can beg out there and get the money from other generous people."
"John, this poor and ugly woman is truly shameless. Even your ex-girlfriend doesn't have any other advantages. I guess she uses her body to make rich men accept her and give her their wealth. Fortunately, you left her quickly so you wouldn't lose your money." Maria completely messed things up, making John hate and insult me even more.
"I thought you were knocking to beg for my love. But you are a gold digger, Ellena. It seems you've been with me all this time just to take advantage of me, right? Just go away and don't show your face to me again." John was utterly influenced by Maria's words, changing so quickly.
The suffering I experienced today was complete. Betrayed by my boyfriend, thrown out of his apartment, and now I had to find money for Uncle Martin's surgery. There was nothing else I could do but lament this day. My life felt full of misfortune, and I didn't expect it all to come at once like this.