On the day my boyfriend proposed, my mom demanded a million dollars before she'd agree to the marriage.

A million dollars was something my boyfriend and I could probably never earn in a lifetime.

Without telling my boyfriend, I went through a kidney transplant surgery to get the money, just enough to cover my mom's demands.

I went to find him, clutching the bank card with high hopes.

But I accidentally discovered his secret: he wasn't a poor guy at all, but the sole heir of the Carr family.

A woman asked him, "Mr. Carr, how long do you plan to stay here and play with this poor girl?"

He sneered, "That depends on how long you can keep me entertained!"

What he didn't know was that I had indeed managed to come up with a million dollars. But now, I didn't want to be with him anymore…

——

Lewis Carr and I had been together for five years.

Lewis was a wonderful person, always so kind to me.

When I had my period, he'd make me hot chocolate and rub my stomach until I fell asleep. In cold weather, he'd prepare a hot water bottle and cuddle me close to warm me up. He'd always cook different dishes for me…

I often wondered how someone as outstanding as him ended up with me. Maybe it was because we both had our struggles.

We met while working part-time jobs. He told me that his mother was seriously ill and that he loved her dearly and didn't want her to die. He had to work hard to pay for both his tuition and her medical expenses.

At that moment, I envied him. His mother, despite being sick, loved him. I worked tirelessly, giving all my money to my family, but they never showed me any love. They never cared if I was fed or if my money was enough. They only ever exploited me.

After that, I often visited Lewis to hear his stories about his mother. Gradually, we became a couple.

Later, he said his mother hoped he would complete his graduate studies, and it would be a waste not to go since he had been accepted.

One day, he held me and said, "Lola, I don't want to pursue my graduate studies anymore. I still need to earn money for my mother's medical expenses and to marry you, but my mother insists I go.

"If I don't agree, she'll stop taking her medication, saying she was just dragging me down and that she would rather die."

Hearing him, I understood this was his mother's expectation of him. Lewis was so exceptional; it would be a waste not to take advantage of the graduate program.

I looked at the pained Lewis and said firmly, "Focus on your studies. You can't disappoint your mother. I'll handle the money."

At first, he didn't listen. He secretly took up part-time work, and when I found out, I scolded him severely. Only then did he agree to focus on his studies.

…

"Once I graduate, I'll marry you," Lewis would often say so while holding me close during his research years.

I'd blush and believe that Lewis and I would definitely end up together.

So, over the years, I earned money for our rent, living expenses, and various fees. For lunch, I'd just eat plain toast and occasionally an egg. I tried to save every penny.

Yet, for him, I was never stingy. I didn't want him to feel inferior or looked down upon because of financial reasons. Whenever he needed a new computer, clothes, or phone, I'd buy him the latest and best.

Every time, he'd hold me and say, "Lola, you're so good to me. How can I ever repay you?"

I'd smile and say, "It's my choice. It's got nothing to do with you. You don't need to repay me."

"I have to. How about I give myself to you?"

With that, he'd pull me close and say, "Let's start with some interest."

His kiss would come like a storm, irresistible and passionate.

I blushed and let him leave marks on me.

With dreams of the future, I threw myself into work even harder.

I used to work two jobs a day. Slowly, I started picking up three, sometimes even four.

There were times when I felt so exhausted as if I could fall asleep just by closing my eyes.

But every time I thought about our future, I pushed through to the next shift.

Some days, I'd only get two or three hours of sleep, but I didn't mind.

Every day when I got home, Lewis would be waiting for me at the door, right on time.

He'd look at my tired face with concern, then quietly go about preparing a warm meal for me.

Whenever I sat down and felt the heat from those dishes, a wave of satisfaction and happiness would rush through me.

It felt so good to know that someone was thinking of me.

That day, I came home as usual.

But when I opened the door, I was stunned by what I saw.

The entire room was filled with flowers, and Lewis was walking toward me with a smile.

He knelt down on one knee, pulled a tab from a soda can out of his pocket, and grinned. "I graduated. I figured I'd use this for now to propose, just so you won't leave me."

I squealed in delight, throwing myself into his arms, and we both tumbled into the sea of flowers.

With my head buried in his neck, I whispered, "Are you really going to marry me?"

He hugged me tightly, his voice firm, "What do you think? You can try saying no and see what happens."

And with that, he leaned in and started kissing me gently.

The next morning, just as I was getting ready to head out for work, Lewis stopped me and suggested we go visit my parents.

I hesitated.

He teased me with a smile, "Lola, don't worry. Your parents are my parents now. I'll treat them well."

I forced a smile and nodded. "Alright, I'll take you home with me."

Lewis was thrilled and took me shopping to pick up some gifts.

Curious, I asked him where the money came from, and he chuckled, "I made it playing video games."

I pretended to be angry and scolded him, "You've been secretly earning money behind my back again, huh? Lucky for you, you graduated; otherwise, I wouldn't let you off the hook."

Lewis immediately nodded and agreed, "Of course, you're right, my dear wife."

I gave him a playful glare. "Stop calling me that."

But he put on a serious face. "I'm not joking."

Then he leaned in and kissed me again.

By the time we got to my parents' place, it was mid-afternoon.

I brought Lewis inside, and when my mom saw the gifts we brought, she finally greeted us with a smile.

She grabbed the bags from our hands, barely giving us a second look as she started rifling through them.

But as soon as she realized the gifts were all cheap stuff, her face darkened.

Once inside, she tossed everything aside without even inviting us to sit down.

Awkwardly, I told Lewis to take a seat, and just as he did, my mom blurted out, "So, you're planning to marry my daughter?"

Lewis nodded.

Without missing a beat, my mom held up one finger. "One million dollars. That's the wedding gift, and then she's yours."

I froze when I heard that number. I couldn't help but snap, "Mom, are you selling your daughter? All you ever talk about is money!"

Before she could say anything, I grabbed Lewis's hand and stormed out.

Once we got home, Lewis pulled me into a tight hug and said, "It's my fault. I don't have the money to marry you yet, but I'll work hard. Just wait for me."

"Even if it takes ten years, I'm going to make sure I marry you."

He looked at me playfully and teased, "By then, you won't think I'm too old and refuse to marry me, will you?"

I kissed him right then and there, smiling cheekily. "You're stuck with me! No take-backs!"

He hugged me tighter like he never wanted to let go.

That night, watching Lewis sleep peacefully, I knew that if I didn't come up with the money for my mom, we'd never be able to be together.

Suddenly, I remembered something I had seen on social media a few days ago.

I tiptoed out to the balcony, grabbed my phone, hesitated for a moment, then dialed the number.

The voice on the other end was soft and polite, "Hello, how can I help you?"

I took a deep breath and said, "Hi, are you still looking for kidney donors?"

The tone immediately shifted to something more serious. "Yes, miss. You can come in for a match test. Even if you're not a match, we'll compensate you with ten thousand dollars. But if you are, we'll pay one million for the donation."

I bit my lip, then said, "Okay. Send me the address, I'll come in tomorrow for the test."

A few days later, I got a message on my phone.

"Your match test was successful. Please come in for the kidney transplant surgery as soon as possible. Afterward, our medical staff will be there to assist with your recovery."

I replied, "Got it."

When I came home that afternoon, Lewis wasn't there. I assumed he was out job-hunting.

I packed a few things, sent him a quick message: "Got a last-minute work trip. I'll be back in about two weeks."

Lewis replied, "Alright, take care, Lola!" He even sent me a hundred dollars with a note that said, "Earned by your husband, just for you."

My heart swelled with emotion, and it felt like all of this was worth it.

The surgery went smoothly. I was so worried about Lewis being home alone that I rushed back even before the two weeks were up.

But as soon as I reached the front door, I heard a woman's playful laugh from inside.

"Lewis, how much longer are you planning to stick around here with that penniless woman?"

I froze, and a familiar voice followed.

"That depends—how long are you going to keep making me happy?"

The woman teased, "You're such a bad boy, Mr. Carr. You're the heir to the Carr family, yet you pretend to be a poor man just to fool that woman.

"She's been so good to you all these years, too. Too bad, as if someone like you could ever fall for someone like her."

Lewis let out a cold laugh. "She's just a plaything. I've had my fill of other women, so I wanted a change of pace."

At that moment, it felt like I was plunged into ice.

To him, I was just a game.

My hand tightened around the bank card in my pocket.

This place was supposed to be where Lewis and I would build our future. Now, that future was gone.

Five years. In those five years, I gave him everything I had.

And it turned out I'd just been lying to myself all along.