my return will be your downfall

A WORLD OF DIFFERENCES

"The money?" Patricia asked.

Vanessa nodded.

Patricia leaned back in her chair.

"Honestly, I don't know how you do it."

Vanessa's eyes lifted.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I could never be with a man who couldn't give me the things I wanted. Look at us. We're young. This is the time to enjoy life, not struggle through every single day."

Chloe nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. There's nothing wrong with being hardworking, but a man should have something to show for it."

Vanessa said nothing.

She knew their words would only make her feel worse, yet she could not deny that part of her agreed with them.

Patricia suddenly raised her left hand.

"Anyway, enough about Adrian. Look at this!"

A beautiful bracelet glittered around her wrist.

Chloe leaned forward.

"Oh my goodness! Is that the one you showed me online?"

"The very same one," Patricia replied proudly.

"How much?"

Patricia whispered the amount.

Chloe's mouth fell open.

"Your boyfriend actually bought that for you?"

"Of course."

Vanessa forced a smile.

"Congratulations. It's beautiful."

Patricia beamed.

"Thank you! He said he wanted to surprise me. Can you imagine?"

Vanessa looked down at her own wrist.

She wore a simple bracelet Adrian had bought her on her birthday the previous year. It had not been expensive, but she remembered how excited he had been when he gave it to her.

He had saved for weeks to buy it.

At the time, she had hugged him and told him she loved it.

Now, looking at Patricia's jewellery, that memory brought an uncomfortable feeling to her chest.

She pushed it aside.

A waiter approached the table and handed them menus.

Patricia immediately began ordering, choosing dishes without asking about the prices. Chloe followed her lead, adding a drink and dessert.

When it was Vanessa's turn, she glanced through the menu.

The prices were higher than she had expected.

She selected a meal that seemed reasonably priced and returned the menu to the waiter.

Patricia noticed.

"That's all you're having?"

Vanessa looked up.

"Yes. I'm not very hungry."

"Then order something else. We're celebrating tonight!"

"Celebrating what?"

Patricia smiled mysteriously.

"Just life, darling."

The others laughed.

Vanessa joined them, although her smile felt forced.

She had barely touched her food when Chloe suddenly looked toward the restaurant entrance.

"Wait a minute. Isn't that Damian Sterling?"

Patricia immediately turned around.

"Where?"

"Over there, near the entrance."

Vanessa followed their gaze.

A tall young man had just entered the restaurant with two companions. He wore a dark designer suit, a silver watch, and polished shoes. His hair was neatly styled, and he carried himself with the easy confidence of someone who had never needed to prove his worth to anyone.

Two men dressed in black followed a short distance behind him.

The restaurant manager hurried forward to welcome him.

"Good evening, Mr. Sterling. It's a pleasure to have you with us again."

Damian offered a brief smile.

"Good evening. Is my usual table available?"

"Certainly, sir. We've prepared it for you."

Vanessa watched the exchange.

She had heard the name Sterling before. Everyone in their social circle knew the family. The Sterlings owned several businesses, had connections with influential people, and were frequently mentioned in conversations about the city's wealthiest families.

Damian was the son of one of the family's most prominent businessmen.

He was also known for his expensive tastes and lavish lifestyle.

Chloe leaned closer to Vanessa.

"That's Damian Sterling. His family owns Sterling Holdings."

"I know who he is," Vanessa replied quietly.

"Do you know him personally?"

"No."

Patricia smirked.

"Well, you should. A man like that could make a woman forget all her problems."

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

"Please, Patricia."

"I'm serious! Look at him. That is the kind of man women dream about."

Vanessa looked away, pretending not to care.

But a few seconds later, she glanced in Damian's direction again.

He was seated at his table, speaking with his companions. A waiter poured him a drink, and one of the men beside him said something that made him laugh.

There was nothing complicated about the scene.

Yet Vanessa could not help comparing it with her own life.

Adrian would never walk into a restaurant and receive that kind of welcome.

He would never have men following him around or a manager rushing to attend to his needs.

And the difference between them was not simply the clothes they wore.

It was the world they belonged to.

"Vanessa."

Patricia's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"What?"

"You're staring."

Vanessa immediately looked down.

"I'm not."

Patricia laughed.

"Of course, you're not."

"Can you stop?"

"Fine, fine."

For the next few minutes, they continued their conversation. Vanessa tried to participate, but her attention kept drifting toward the other side of the restaurant.

Eventually, Damian stood up from his table.

He spoke briefly with his companions before turning toward the corridor leading to the private lounge.

As he passed their table, Chloe greeted him.

"Good evening, Mr. Sterling."

Damian paused and glanced at the women.

"Good evening."

Patricia smiled brightly.

"How are you doing?"

"Very well, thank you."