Grant had been celebrating his new job with friends for days as if he had already reached the pinnacle of success.

That night, he got completely wasted, and a few buddies dropped him off at my place.

He stumbled onto the couch, reeking of alcohol, mumbling to himself.

Just as I was about to whip up something to help him sober up, his phone lit up.

A text popped up: [My parents were pretty pleased with you the last time we met. Let's see where this goes.]

My heart sank like a lead balloon.

Grant's phone password was his birthday, so I quickly unlocked it and dove into the chat history.

It turned out they had connected the day after he received his acceptance letter.

From the looks of it, this was a setup arranged by their parents—a blind date of sorts.

So, after getting a government job, he is eager to kick me to the curb?

Grant, is this your grand plan? You let me foot the bill while you studied for this job, only to turn around and play house with someone else? You've got some nerve!

I felt a wave of anger wash over me.

But then Grant let out a low groan, pulling me back to reality. I gently adjusted him to lie on his side and grabbed his phone, heading into the kitchen.

I pulled out my own phone and started recording a video.

First, I clicked on Grant's profile to confirm it was really his WhatsApp account; then, I captured every single message between him and this other girl. I made sure not to expose her identity but did snap a shot of her WhatsApp ID.

Don't think you can just ditch me and have a smooth ride, Grant. I'm going to make sure you regret this.

I didn't beat around the bush; I went straight to the point. My phone sat on the coffee table, capturing everything.

"I know you're seeing someone else. We don't have to keep pretending anymore. Let's break up."

Grant was clearly caught off guard. He didn't know how I found out, but he immediately shifted the blame to his mother.

"Megan, don't blame me. My mom is making me do this. She says your family isn't good enough for me. Now that I'm having a government job, she wants me to find someone who can help with my career."

Oh, sure, you're just a victim in all this, right? Forced into a blind date, pressured to impress her parents, and soon enough, you'll be pressured to marry her too, won't you? What a grand story you've got.

"None of that matters now. Let's just part ways peacefully. I won't stand in the way of your bright future."

Grant seemed touched by my apparent generosity, his expression shifting to one of guilt.

Hold on there, buddy; I've got something important to say.

"But you need to pay me back for all the living expenses and classes I covered while you were studying for the exam."

His face fell at my request.

How could he possibly come up with that money? If he had any, he wouldn't be living off me.

Grant, ever the chameleon, switched tactics and tried to play the sympathy card.

"Megan, I love you! I really don't want to marry someone else. We've been through so much together; how could I just throw that away?"

Suddenly, he dropped to his knees, tears welling up in his eyes, looking genuinely pitiful.

I said, "I only spent that money on you because I thought you were my future husband, but now you're making me feel like you've betrayed me. Even if this goes to court, I'm in the right here. You're cozying up to a wealthy family, yet you can't pay me back? Don't push me to make this a public spectacle; it won't end well for either of us."

"Megan, have you no shame?"

Just then, the door swung open, and Keira stormed in, ready to unleash a tirade on me.

Keira wasted no time jumping into the fray.

Her mouth was like a runaway train, spewing out insults and accusations.

"After all these years of playing house with my son, now that he finally has a shot at a real future, you want to break up and even demand your money back?" she spat. "Let me make this clear: I pushed Grant into this blind date because you two are on different levels now. You're not going to share the same path anymore.

"Let's not kid ourselves; you only supported Grant financially because you were terrified he'd run off and you wouldn't find anyone better. You thought throwing money at him would keep him around!"

Her words dripped with condescension, making it painfully clear she believed I wasn't worthy of her son.

"Honestly, it's pathetic. You've been pouring money into him like he's some kind of investment, and now you want him to pay you back?"

Grant, for once, seemed to be fed up with his mother's barrage. "Mom, just stop! I genuinely don't want to lose Megan. Please don't push me into this!"

Keira shot him a look that could freeze fire.

She clearly wasn't thrilled about her son kneeling on the ground, sobbing like a child, especially when he dared to oppose her.

"Megan, give me a little time to think this over. I really love you and don't want to break up. Just one chance, okay?"

What kind of chance are you talking about?

A chance to keep playing both sides?

Do you think I'm some kind of fool who will let you and your mother manipulate me?

Just as I was about to shoot him down, Keira's mouth flapped open again.

"Here's an idea: since you've been with Grant for so long and he doesn't want to break up, let's make it interesting. Whoever has a son first with their blind date gets to marry him."

This was too much. I couldn't help but laugh, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips.

What does she think her son is? Just because he's landed a government job doesn't mean he's suddenly worth his weight in gold.

But now wasn't the time to get into a shouting match; I had more pressing matters to address.

"I've said everything I need to say. I'm breaking up with you, and I want my money back. You two can figure out how to handle that.

"Grant, I've packed your things.

"Take your bags and your mother.

"Get out of my house.

"Honestly, I feel sick just being around you."

Keira, enraged by my sudden backbone, hurled insults at me, calling me all sorts of names and threatening that once her son became a department head, I'd be the first one she'd deal with.

Grant, likely embarrassed by the scene his mother was causing, finally decided to take action. He grabbed her arm and led her out, leaving me in peace at last.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

With a smirk, I opened my laptop and navigated to the local government website, finding the posting about Grant's position. I took my time, methodically clicking through the numbers.

"Hi, I'd like to report a candidate currently in the public announcement period, Grant. He has issues with his personal conduct. I kindly request an investigation."

Seriously, a guy who just ditched a four-year relationship right after landing a government job? Does the state really want someone like that on their team?

That wasn't nearly enough to cover my bases. I opened WhatsApp and sent a friend request to Grant's blind date.

[Hi, I'm Grant's ex-girlfriend. I'd like to chat about him.]

It didn't take long for her to accept.

She replied, curious but cautious: [What do you want to discuss?]

I quickly grabbed a few screenshots of our conversations, along with some photos from our trips over the years, and sent them her way.

I just wanted to prove that I had a legitimate four-year relationship with Grant and that it was still ongoing while she was getting set up with him.

After what felt like ages, she finally replied: [Grant's mom told me he was single, which is why I agreed to the blind date. I didn't mean to get in the middle of anything.]

I said: [I'm not blaming you; you're a victim in this, too. I'm here to help you.]

[Help me?]