Sure enough, men really do change once they get money.

Tonight, James and Lisa were the ones having all the fun.

The snow was falling heavily, and a thin layer of ice had formed over the tire tracks on the road. A car was moving slowly along the street.

I forced my nearly-frozen legs to run toward it - if I missed this one, I might actually freeze to death out here tonight.

The owner turned out to be a kind-hearted, handsome guy. Maybe it was because I looked so pitiful - crying and freezing - but he invited me into his car.

Once I was seated, he thoughtfully handed me a pack of tissues and asked casually, "Breakup?"

I was surprised he could tell, but instead of saying anything, I let my actions answer.

Noticing some bottles of liquor on the passenger seat, I picked one up and asked, "Can I drink this? I'll pay you."

He replied nonchalantly, "Sure, but you'll have to pay extra if you mess up the car."

With his permission, I started drinking straight from the bottle. "I'm letting loose tonight. Tomorrow, I'm kicking that cheating jerk back to wherever he came from!"

...

When I next opened my eyes, I was in a hospital with an IV in my arm.

"Don't move. You had a stomach hemorrhage from drinking too much last night. You just got out of surgery."

It was the same familiar voice - the kind, handsome driver.

His name was Travis Lewis, a gastroenterologist. He'd actually performed my surgery last night.

The liquor, car cleaning, surgery fees... We hadn't even known each other for twenty-four hours, and I already owed him so much!

I really couldn't remember what happened last night. Only fragments came back to me - crying to Travis while clutching the bottle, and throwing up on him when he tried to take it away.

I felt mortified. I'd made such a mess of this handsome doctor's night. I definitely needed to add compensation for emotional distress.

Suddenly, a 'ding' from my phone on the bedside table brought me back to reality.

James’s name flashed on the screen, and my heart sank a little. After three years together, it was impossible not to feel something.

Take a deep breath.

After composing myself, I calmly answered his call.

"What is it?"

"Mom said you didn't come home last night. Where are you?" His voice was urgent and somewhat accusatory.

I laughed softly and replied, "I'm wherever you were last night."

"Sarah, don't joke around. You know you're the one in my heart."

His words made me laugh even harder, tears streaming down my face.

"Aren't you the one joking? Remember what you did? You were flirting with Lisa in front of everyone last night."

The line went silent for a while before he finally said, "I'm sorry, I messed up. Let's get married tomorrow, okay?"

I replied softly, "Are you treating marriage like some kind of reward for me? Don't tell me you actually think you're such a catch. Why don't you say that to Lisa instead? I wish you both a happy life together."

After hanging up on James, I dialed another number.

"Is this the moving company?..."

My best friend rushed to the hospital after hearing about my surgery. When she learned what James had done, she started cursing him right there in the hospital, swearing to make him pay.

Susan Tanner and I were old classmates. After graduation, most of our college friends got busy with their own lives and naturally lost touch, but since Susan and I lived in the same city, we hung out often.

Our relationship grew closer, and now we're best friends.

Seeing Susan getting so worked up for me made me feel a bit better.

"I've already called the moving company to throw out everything in my house."

"What good is throwing things out when his mother is still there? I'll have Chris keep an eye on things."

As she spoke, her eyes twinkled mischievously, and a sly smile spread across her face.

"Look at you, moving from one romance to another! You just kicked out that jerk and already met a handsome doctor. Better not let this one slip away~"

...

The stomach hemorrhage was a minor surgery, and after a few days of recovery in the hospital, I returned home.

Without any of James's things, the house looked even better than before. Now everything was decorated in my mother's style, which I really loved.

After that phone call with James, he didn't call again, only sending me one text telling me to rest well. At the time, I thought he had finally realized how badly he'd messed up, but now it's clear he still doesn't understand how much his actions hurt me.

The very night I returned home, James showed up at my door. I stood thoughtfully by the entrance, listening to his pleading voice from outside for what felt like forever.

It was already past eleven at night. Being a considerate neighbor, I finally opened the door.

James stood there looking guilty, but when he saw me, his eyes lit up with barely contained joy as he reached out to hug me.

Looking at all the gift boxes scattered on the ground, I felt a wave of disappointment wash over me.

I instinctively stepped back from his attempt to embrace me. Now, I wasn't just disappointed - I was disgusted.

James's smile turned awkward, but he pressed on: "I'm sorry, Sarah. It's all Lisa's fault. If she hadn't seduced me, I would never have done anything to hurt you."

His voice was so earnest that if you didn't listen to his actual words, he'd seem like an honest man wrongly accused.

I closed my eyes, not wanting to hear any more of his nonsense.

James started showing off the gifts he'd brought - three designer bags from different luxury brands and a credit card.

The irony was bitter. We'd built everything from scratch together - there wouldn't be a James Sullivan today without me. Yet here he was, trying to buy me off with these things, treating me just like any other woman.

Then he pulled out a small, elegant box from his pocket. Inside was a sparkling diamond ring as big as a bean.

James got down on one knee, his voice thick with emotion.

"I know I made a mistake, but I promise I'll never do anything like this again. You're the only one I truly love! Will you-"

"No!" I cut him off before he could finish. "You think a few designer bags will change my mind? What kind of person do you think I am? Remember how you built that company of yours - you think I care about this junk? Drop the innocent act. There's no audience here, so who are you performing for? And thanks for showing me my first living example of a pity engagement ring."

I tried to close the door, but I hadn't expected James to lose his temper. “Know your place, don't be so ungrateful!”

He yanked me outside and raised his hand to slap me.

I froze, but the expected pain never came.

It was Travis. He had caught James's wrist mid-swing and tossed it aside like something filthy.

He frowned, his eyes dark. "So this is your good for nothing ex-boyfriend?"

His comment caught me off guard, and I could only nod dumbly.

"Yes."

Travis added, "I know some good ophthalmologists. We should get your eyes checked sometime."

James caught the insult and his face reddened.

"Sarah Bernett, who is this guy? This is between us - we don't need outsiders involved!"

James had directed the question at me, but Travis answered instead.

“I’m Miss Bernett's current boyfriend. It's not very proper to lurk outside someone's home this late. Would you prefer to leave on your own, or should I call security?"

"Thank you, Dr. Lewis."

If Travis hadn't shown up when he did, I don't know what would have happened. My gratitude toward him grew even stronger.

"It's nothing. You're my patient - can't have you getting injured again or all my work would be wasted." His voice was neutral, showing no particular emotion.

Still, I was surprised to run into Travis again. "Dr. Lewis, what brings you here?"

Instead of answering, he walked to a nearby door and smoothly entered a security code.

"This is my home."