He looked up.

“Hi, Karen.”

Karen smiled seductively.

“You look handsome tonight.”

“Thanks.”

She stepped closer.

“Would you like to dance?”

David looked at Elena.

Then back at Karen.

“No.”

Karen's smile disappeared.

“No?”

“No. I’m here with Elena.”

Karen laughed awkwardly.

“Oh, come on. One dance.”

“I don't think that's appropriate.”

Karen's voice became softer.

“Why are you always so distant with me?”

David frowned.

“Because I have a girlfriend.”

Karen looked at Elena.

Then back at him.

“You don't have to be with her forever.”

David's expression changed.

“Karen.”

“What?”

“Stop.”

That one word destroyed her confidence.

Karen stood there in silence.

People nearby had begun noticing.

Elena didn't say anything.

She didn't need to.

David gently took Elena's hand.

“Let's go outside.”

Karen watched them leave.

Something inside her snapped.

She grabbed a glass from the table.

Then she accidentally squeezed it too hard and spilled the drink all over the front of her expensive black dress.

She gasped.

Someone nearby handed her a napkin.

Karen snatched it.

“Don't touch me!”

She ran toward the bathroom.

Inside, she stared at herself in the mirror.

Her perfect appearance suddenly looked ridiculous.

She whispered:

“He thinks she’s better than me?”

Her eyes filled with anger.

“No.”

She wiped the tears away.

“I’ll make him realize what he lost.”

But she was making one mistake after another.

And soon, David would stop seeing her as an annoying admirer.

He would start seeing her as a threat to the peace of his relationship.

CHAPTER FOUR

Hoa Karen Cornered David and Demanded to Know Why He Didn't Love Her — His Answer Finally Broke Her Illusion

The next morning, Karen was waiting outside David's workplace.

She had rehearsed the conversation all night.

When David came out, she stepped directly in front of him.

“David.”

He stopped.

“Karen, what are you doing here?”

“I need an answer.”

“To what?”

Karen pointed at herself.

“Why don't you like me?”

David sighed.

“Karen—”

“No. Don't walk away.”

“I have somewhere to be.”

“You always have somewhere to be when I'm around!”

David looked uncomfortable.

Karen's voice became louder.

“I've done everything! I dressed beautifully for you. I tried to spend time with you. I tried to make you notice me.”

David shook his head.

“You shouldn't have done any of that.”

“Why?”

“Because I'm in love with Elena.”

Karen froze.

She stared at him.

Then she laughed bitterly.

“You don't even know what you're missing.”

“I know exactly what I want.”

“You don't!”

“Yes, I do.”