Chapter 155
Stanley’s hands clenched into tight fists, the emptiness and longing tearing at him.
He felt as if he were losing his mind.
“Iris… Iris…” He repeated her name over and over, the emotions shifting from longing to resentment.
Didn’t she once love him deeply? Why had she left him so heartlessly? How could she be so heartless?
Even when she saw his arm in a cast, she showed no concern. She maintained her cold demeanor in front of everyone, a stark contrast to how she used to be. In the past, she would have been heartbroken if she saw him hurt.
Frustrated, he abruptly got up and made his way to the liquor cabinet to grab a bottle of liquor. He only had one working arm, so he used his teeth to pop the cap off the bottle, spat it onto the floor and drank straight from the bottle.
The alcohol burned his throat like fire. As he gulped too quickly, he choked. He coughed violently until his eyes watered.
“Iris…” he murmured, making his way unsteadily to the couch. He fished his phone out of his coat and called Lester.
“What’s up, Stanley?” Lester did not take long to answer.
“Buy me a new phone, with a new number, and bring it to me,” Stanley commanded.
Lester had no idea why he wanted a new number, but after a moment of hesitation, he said, “Okay.”
Lester acted swiftly, procuring a new number and bought the latest iPhone for Stanley.
When he arrived at Stanley’s place, he found Stanley sitting on the floor, barefoot, his coat tossed aside, and an empty bottle of liquor at his feet.
Lester frowned. He retrieved a pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and placed them on Stanley’s feet. “What’s wrong?”
Stanley raised his bloodshot eyes, his voice hoarse. “Did you get the phone?”
Lester handed him the new phone and asked curiously, “Why do you suddenly want to change your phone?”
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Stanley accepted the phone without answering his question.
Lester picked up the discarded coat and tossed it onto the couch. “Do you want me to stay here with you?” he asked.
Stanley was alone, injured, and drinking. It was worrying.
Stanley remained silent. He focused on dialing a number…
Back at the Star Coast Club, Iris left shortly after Stanley. With Yvonne and Henry having other plans, she didn’t want to be a third wheel.
Once home, she washed up and prepared for an early night.
After turning off the lights and lying down, her phone rang. She reached for it and was surprised to see an unfamiliar number. Hesitating for a moment, she answered and set the phone on speaker, placing it on the pillow.
“Hello?”
Stanley gripped the phone tight. Hearing her voice sent a thrill through him. His fingers trembled, and there was a craze in his eyes.
His throat tightened as he struggled to find the right words.
“Hello?” Iris asked again.
“Iris,” Stanley finally managed, his voice extremely hoarse.
Iris recognized his voice immediately, and her expression changed. She reached for the phone to hang up, but before she could, she heard him say, “Iris, I miss you.”
Lester, who was near Stanley, froze in shock
Had Stanley decided to stop being stubborn? Was he finally confronting his feelings?
Iris ended the call without saying anything. She placed the phone on the table, covered herself with a blanket, and turned to face the window, allowing the moonlight to wash over her as she gently closed her eyes.
Hearing the call disconnect, Stanley completely broke down. He hurled the phone against the wall, where it shattered upon impact and fell to the ground.
Lester was speechless. He just spent over a thousand dollars on that phone. It lasted only 2 minutes.
He shook his head in exasperation, “Fine, as long as it makes you feel a bit better”
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Leaning against the couch, Stanley tilted his head back, his neck flushed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he struggled to contain his emotions. “Pass me a bottle of liquor.”
“You can’t drink anymore…” Lester advised
“Shut up and go get it!” Stanley roared.
