My Sentence for Her Crime

The moment Nathan spoke, the room erupted into chaos. Everyone started tearing the place apart, looking for his missing watch.

As they searched, he kept up a steady, loud mutter. "Lilian gave me that for my birthday. It's worth over three million. I can't lose it!"

I didn't know what game he was playing, but I wanted out. I was almost at the door when Nathan stepped in front of me.

"Sonny," he said, his voice slick with false concern. "Why don't you just let me check your bag? It would clear the air. Otherwise, this looks... suspicious."

I knew I had nothing to hide. "I'm not playing your game, Nathan. Look for it yourself."

But when I tried to push past him, he grabbed my bag. We struggled, and everything inside spilled onto the floor.

And there, gleaming among my keys and wallet, was his watch.

The air left my lungs in a rush. I looked up and met his eyes—they were mocking, triumphant. This was a setup.

"You planted this," I said, my voice low and tight.

When I turned, I was met with a wall of cold, contemptuous stares.

Lilian stood among them, her brow furrowed, her eyes filled with pure disgust.

"I didn't take it!" The words tore from me, desperate and broken.

But they sounded weak against the damning evidence.

Nathan bent down and picked up the watch, his face a mask of wounded betrayal. "This watch means everything to me. How could you, Sonny? I really believed you'd changed after prison... but I guess old habits die hard." He shook his head sadly. "I don't think I can work with a thief."

His words were a perfectly aimed knife.

The lead client snapped. "Ms. Parson! We are done here!"

He and his team stormed out in a wave of disgust.

I moved to go after them, to explain, but a stinging slap cracked across my face.

I froze.

Lilian stared at me, her face like stone, her voice colder than I had ever heard it. "I brought you here as a favor. I can't believe you would embarrass me like this. You're nothing but a common thief."

Her words hurt more than the slap.

She, of all people, knew who I was. Why I went to prison. Who I did it for.

But the fury in her eyes left no room for the truth.

A bitter smile touched my lips. I held out my phone to her. "Then call the police."

She stared at the phone, her frown deepening, but she didn't take it.

We stood there, locked in a suffocating silence. And in that silence, I finally saw her—truly saw the stranger she had become.

Finally, she let out a sharp, derisive laugh. "Unbelievable."

She turned, slipped the watch back onto Nathan's wrist, and led him away, her voice soft and soothing.

When the door closed, I was alone. Surrounded by the wreckage.

I crouched, gathered my scattered things, and walked out without a backward glance.

That night, the airport terminal was quiet and empty. I sat alone, drafting my resignation letter. But her message arrived first: [Don't come back to the company. Stay home and think about what you've done.]

I let out a hollow laugh.

Without a second thought, I took a picture of the signed divorce papers and sent it to her.

Then I typed: [I wish you and Nathan all the happiness you deserve. But before the wedding, you might want to finalize our divorce. Unless you'd like me to report you for bigamy.]

The message had just been delivered when my screen lit up. Lilian was calling. Again and again and again.