Goodbye For Good

The glass door of the office building shut behind me, trapping Tina Scott's sobs inside. Clutching the cash I just withdrew, I turned and hurried back. When I pushed the door open, she was crouched behind the reception desk, trembling. "Don't be afraid, I'm here." I helped her up and wiped the tears from her face with my sleeve. Her company's cash flow had dried up, suppliers were banging on the door demanding payment, and the investment deal they had just secured fell through. "Where's Hector Clark?" I asked her. Tina's lips trembled as she reached into her pocket and handed me her mobile phone. On the screen was a message from her boyfriend, Hector Clark: "My mom says you're a bottomless pit right now. Let's just call it quits." I shoved the mobile phone back into her hand and grabbed the suitcase from the corner. "Come with me, you can stay at my place for now." I grabbed her wrist and led her outside. "Daniel, I..." Her voice cracked with tears. "Don't say anything, just eat first." I cut her off and waved down a taxi. It was a winter night four years ago, with heavy snow covering the entire city in white. I quit my original job and became a contract worker for Tina Scott's company. During the day, I met with clients to discuss collaborations; at night, I helped her organize the financial statements. Sometimes I worked until late and crashed on the office sofa to get through the night. Do you think the client will agree to this plan? She held a coffee cup, her eyes completely bloodshot. Don't worry, I've been with them for three months, and they really appreciate our technology. I ruffled her hair. She smiled, but there was still unease hidden in her eyes. During the toughest time, we could barely afford the office rent. I mortgaged the old house my parents left me to scrape together some money to help her keep things running. "Daniel, this is way too much." She held the bank card, her hands trembling. "You can buy another house if you lose this one, but you can't fall apart." I held her hand firmly. Suddenly, she hugged me, tears soaking my shirt. "Thank you. No one has ever been this good to me." "I'll always be here for you." I gently patted her back, silently adding in my heart, forever. Four years slipped by like sand running through fingers. On the day Tina Scott's company rang the bell to go public, she held me and cried for a long time, saying she couldn't have done it without me. I smiled as I wiped her tears, but my palm clenched tightly around the ring box in my pocket. The celebration was held at the most luxurious hotel downtown, with chandeliers shining brilliantly. Tina Scott wore a red evening gown, moving among the guests like a blooming red rose. I waited in a corner, planning to propose to her in front of everyone right after her speech. "Daniel's just too honest; he's treated you like a princess these past four years." A familiar voice came from the corner of the hallway—it was Tina's close friend, Melody Young. I paused mid-step, instinctively stopping right where I was. "I know he cares about me." Tina Scott's voice carried a trace of helplessness. "But for me, it's really just brotherly feelings." My heart suddenly sank, and the ring box pressed painfully against my pocket. "So, are you planning to keep dragging this out?" Melody Young pressed on. "What else can I do?" Tina sighed. "He's done so much for me—I just can't turn my back on him." "You wouldn't still be hung up on Hector Clark, would you?" Melody's voice lowered. "He ran off with your money back then. Now he's back—what's he trying to stir up?" Hector Clark? I looked up sharply and saw Tina Scott following Melody Young's gaze, her eyes holding a softness I had never seen before. Near the entrance of the banquet hall, Hector Clark, dressed in a tailored suit, was waving over here. My hand gripping the ring box was shaking, veins bulging and knuckles white. Four years of working day and night, the resolute decision to mortgage the house, countless nights spent with her until dawn — it had all been just my one-sided hope. "Daniel? What are you doing here?" Tina Scott walked over, wearing a just-right smile, as if the earlier conversation had never happened. I didn't say a word, just looked at her coldly. "This is Hector Clark, I..." she started to introduce him, but I interrupted. "I know who he is." My voice was painfully dry. Hector took the initiative to extend his hand, wearing a fake smile: "Mr. Collins, I've heard so much about you. Tina talks about you all the time." I didn't shake his hand, instead staring straight at Tina: "You still haven't forgotten him?" Tina's expression changed: "Daniel, stop making a fuss." "Making a fuss?" I laughed, my laughter full of self-mockery, "When I mortgaged the house to help you with cash flow, didn't you say I was making a fuss then?" Hector stepped forward and stood in front of Tina Scott. "Mr. Collins, let's talk this out calmly—don't scare Tina." His action thoroughly enraged me. I reached out to push him away—not too forcefully—but unexpectedly, he stumbled backward and tumbled down the nearby stairs. "Ah!" Tina screamed, rushing over to help him up. "Hector, are you okay?" Hector held his arm, his brow deeply furrowed. "I'm fine, just a little sore." "Daniel Collins!" Tina snapped, turning sharply, her eyes blazing with anger. "You've gone too far!" "I didn't push him. He fell on his own." I tried to explain. "There are so many people here. Do you think I'm blind?" She held Hector tightly, her voice icy. "Go home and reflect right now. Don't come out without my permission." The guests around us cast strange looks, whispering and pointing. I watched Tina protect Hector, feeling my heart sink deeper, cold as ice. The ring box in my pocket suddenly felt like the biggest joke.