"I've wrapped up my work and came to check on you. Hey, Kathy, why do you seem different today?"

"What do you mean?" I inquired.

"It looks like you're having a bit of a romantic encounter today."

I rolled my eyes at him with exasperation.

I thought, "What did he know of romance? My love had withered away."

"Here it comes." His eyes lit up.

The door swung open with a key.

It wasn't a romantic encounter that arrived but a calamity.

It was Max.

"What are you doing here?" I asked impatiently.

"Kathy, I..."

"Don't call me that. It repulses me."

"Kathy, I didn't know you were wealthy. She promised me 100,000 dollars, and I was blinded by the prospect of marrying you sooner. I don't love her. I have no feelings for her. I only love you. Kathy, please forgive me. Please give me one last chance."

Max pleaded, his eyes brimming with tears.

The onlooker, or rather, the ghost, chuckled.

Yet, I only felt a deeper revulsion.

"Once unfaithful, always discarded. This house's lease expires in a year. Return after I've left tomorrow. I don't wish to see any refuse in my sight. Thank you."

With that, I closed the door.

"Kathy, please..."

Max seemed unwilling to relent, and his knocks and shouts were persistent.