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Larry lost all patience. He slammed his glass down so hard it rattled the table, his face twisted in frustration. Michael tried to stop him, grabbing his arm, but Larry shoved him off, jabbing a finger in Lorenzo’s face.

“Don’t push me to speak, Lorenzo. I always thought your wife was too damn good to be true. When you said you divorced her, I figured maybe she had issues—maybe she wasn’t supportive or good for your work. Hell, maybe she wasn’t even good-looking.”

He scoffed, shaking his head with bitter disbelief.

“But then I met her. She’s fucking beautiful! And for two damn years, she brought you meals three times a day, took care of you, and did everything you asked. And how did you repay her? Youdivorcedher?”

Michael grabbed Larry again, trying to drag him back down. “Larry, that’s enough! It’s none of your business!”

Larry shook him off and shouted, “Itismy business! I wanted her for myself! I fell for her the moment I saw her. Do you know how messed up it is to fall in love with your best friend’s wife? But look at her—she gave him everything and got a damn divorce in return. She should’ve married me instead!”

Lorenzo’s anger exploded.

His jaw had been clenched for too long, his breath shallow and sharp. The moment Larry said those words, he snapped. His lip curled, and he lunged forward across the table, grabbing Larry by the collar and yanking him halfway out of his seat.

“Take those words back!” he growled, his voice low and dangerous. “And stop thinking about my wife!”

The air turned razor sharp. The tension in the room snapped like a live wire.

Michael froze, hand half-raised to intervene.

But before anyone could say a word—

The door swung open with a soft creak.

Esther stepped in.

She wasn’t dressed like before. Gone was the hospital gown. Now, she wore a tight, short dress that barely skimmed her thighs, hugging her curves like it was painted on. Her stilettosclicked against the hardwood as she entered with slow, delicate steps and a seductive smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Larry smirked and tugged his collar free from Lorenzo’s grip, straightening himself with smug satisfaction.

Esther walked straight to Lorenzo, all smiles, and slipped into the seat beside him. “Hi, Lorenzo. It’s been so long since I last saw you. I missed you so much,” she purred, wrapping her arms around his.

Lorenzo stiffened.

Michael blinked in disbelief. Larry raised an eyebrow, but the smirk never left his face as he leaned back in his seat, watching the scene unfold like a twisted play.

Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed. “What are you doing here?”

Esther tilted her head and gave a sugary smile. “One of your friends mentioned you were here drinking, so I just… followed along.”

He turned sharply to Larry, who was already throwing up his hands in defense.

“What are you looking at me for?” Larry said, shrugging. “She literally followed me here. I didn’t invite her.”

Esther leaned forward, unfazed, and grabbed the bottle of whiskey off the table. She poured a drink into Lorenzo’s glass, then casually filled one for herself.

“Here,” she said, clinking her glass gently against his. “I haven’t had a proper drink since I left the hospital. Drink with me tonight?”

Lorenzo frowned and shrugged off her hand from his arm. His voice was cold and detached. “I’m not interested.”

Without another glance at Esther, he picked up his phone and quickly dialed Krystal’s number. It rang once—and then went silent.

She blocked him. Again.

His jaw clenched, the muscles twitching under the strain. He stared at the screen, his fingers tightening around the phone.

‘You don’t even pick up my calls anymore. Do you really want me out of your life that badly?’