On the day we bought the house, my boyfriend took advantage of my absence and had his childhood sweetheart sign her name on the contract.

When I confronted him, he looked completely unapologetic as he said, “Sofia is single and can't afford a house on her own. It's just a name. The house is still half yours, so don't make a scene."

The house was carefully selected by me, plus I paid for it and put in the effort, so I did not want others to take advantage of me.

I argued my case, but my boyfriend’s family joined in to mock me, “Being so petty is unbecoming. I think she’s just trying to take advantage of our family and covet this house.”

My boyfriend’s younger sister who was watching the scene with her phone, intending to post my image online for everyone to mock.

After seeing everyone's true colors, I stopped pretending and broke up with him on the spot.

His family panicked.

——

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I hurried inside with the documents.

After waiting so long, I was finally about to have my own place. Even though I was exhausted and trembling all over, I was still overjoyed inside.

“Mr. Allison, the house is now yours. We hope you and your girlfriend will enjoy living there.”

I was completely taken aback. I hadn't even signed the papers yet—how could the house already be handed over?

My eyes immediately locked on the signed contract, Darius Allison and Sofia Austin.

A surge of anger welled up inside me.

I strode over and threw all the documents in my hands onto Darius when I angrily confronted, “Darius, this house was carefully selected by me over half a year ago and I've already paid half the down payment. Now you're letting your childhood friend sign her name on it? Do you think that's appropriate?!"

Darius looked at me with obvious impatience as he answered, “It's just half the down payment. Sofia has no parents and no right to buy a house. Can't you understand that? It's just a name. The house is still half yours."

I was so angry I almost laughed. I couldn't believe Darius had the nerve to say that.

“I went through all the trouble of finding people and preparing documents, yet my name isn't on the property deed. Do you have any shame left?"

The commotion had already attracted the attention of many people.

Sofia stepped out from behind Darius, her eyes red and tearful, looking at me.

Her tone was pitiful when she apologized, “I’m so sorry, Ms. Avery. I didn’t want this to happen either, but Darius insisted I sign. I’ll work hard and take on ten jobs so that I’ll definitely pay you back.”

Before I could say anything, Darius felt sorry for her.

He wrapped his arms around Sofia in front of me and said, “Your health has always been poor; there’s no rush about the money.”

The scene before me was extremely painful to watch and I struggled to maintain my composure.

This matter should be resolved that day. I had spent so much money; I did not want to be taken advantage of.

Since my reason wasn’t getting through to them, I had no choice but to call the police.

Seeing that I was really calling the police, Darius’s mother, who had been hiding in the corner, finally couldn’t hold back anymore.

She rushed forward and snatched the phone out of my hand.

“It’s just a house. Why call the police? Shawna, you’re the daughter-in-law Allison Family has chosen. Don’t let such a small matter ruin our relationship.”

“After all, you’re getting married in a few days and then we’ll be a family. Sofia is like my own daughter, so don’t cause trouble in our family.”

I looked at Darius's mother coldly. I had thought she was a reasonable person, but now it seemed this family had been planning this all along.

I remained indifferent as I said, “This can’t end like this. Either give me the house or return the down payment I paid. Otherwise, I'll call the police."

 Hearing this, Sofia timidly grabbed Darius's arm.

Darius glared at me angrily and scolded, “Do you really have to make such a scene? It’s just a name—is it really that important?”

I borrowed a phone from a passerby and pressed the call button.

As I pressed the button, Darius shouted loudly, “Here, I’ll give you the money back!”

Seeing the payment confirmation on my phone, I finally composed myself.

I grabbed my belongings without saying a word and turned to leave.

Just as I reached the door, Sofia suddenly rushed out from inside and knelt down before me without saying a word.

With tears in her eyes, she looked aggrieved and said, “I had my eye on this house for a long time. Ms Avery, if you took it from me, I wouldn't complain, but please don't be mad at Darius. The two of you must not break up over this.”

“I’ll kneel before you. As long as you forgive me, I’ll do anything you ask.”

Hearing these twisted words, I was so angry I couldn’t help but laugh.

When did this house become something she had already set her sights on? 

Wasn't kneeling like this in front of everyone simply a ploy to thrust me into the spotlight?

I smiled coldly and pushed her away, intending to leave.

But the next moment, a slap hit my face.

My face was struck, swelling instantly. Darius hurriedly helped Sofia, who was still kneeling on the ground, to her feet.

Without a word, he began to berate me, “It’s just a house! Shawna, is this really worth it? Forcing Sofia to kneel before everyone like that—what has made your heart so cruel?”

“Apologize to Sofia immediately!"

The crowd grew larger and whispers filled the air.

From my angle, I could clearly see Sofia, leaning against Darius's chest, looking at me with a smug expression.

I clenched my fists unconsciously, feeling a sharp pain in my heart.

My voice grew hoarse as I refused, “What if I say no?"

“If you don't apologize today, we're breaking up."

Darius glared at me menacingly, thinking that threatening to break up would make me agree.

But my response in the next moment left him speechless.

“Fine, let’s break up.”

After saying that, I turned and walked away without looking back.

As I walked away, Darius instinctively reached out his hand, but it was immediately grabbed by Sofia.

Darius's mother also walked out from the side.

She glared at me with a hostile expression and mocked, “Don't worry, son. Someone like Shawna needs to be taught a lesson.” 

“She's just an ordinary rural woman from the countryside who can't even afford a house and thinks she can do whatever she wants. You'll see, she'll regret it and come crawling back to you."

Darius, who had been feeling a bit panicked, was instantly calmed by these few words.

After all, we had been dating since university and everyone knew how much I loved him.

I turned and got into a taxi.

After being with Darius, I had already canceled the lease on the apartment I had been renting.

Now that we had broken up, I suddenly had nowhere to go.

My heart ached intensely. After five years together, saying I wasn't hurt would be a lie.

But that day’s events have made me see this family for who they truly were.

Between me and Sofia, they would always choose Sofia.

It was my mistake from the beginning to the end.

Looking at the familiar number on my phone, I finally decided to call.

“Grandpa, I admit my fault. Now I agreed to the arranged marriage.” 

Upon returning home, everything remained unchanged.

Actually, when I told Darius I was from the countryside—it was all a lie.

My true identity was the granddaughter of the richest man in the Avery Family. When I was with Darius, my grandfather opposed it.

He said our relationship wouldn't last, but I argued with him and made a bet with my grandfather, while I was with Darius, I wouldn't use a single penny from my family.

If I could buy a house and get married through my own efforts, my grandfather would accept our relationship.

Now it seemed my grandfather was right.

Darius wasn’t worth entrusting my life to.

My phone kept buzzing with notifications.

It was a post from Sofia on her social media, with a photo of a house I recognized—the one I’d been saving up for five years to buy.

[So happy to decorate the new house with him. We finally have a home.]

The photo showed Darius cleaning the house with a serious expression.

I unconsciously clenched my fists, determined to delete everything out of sight.

After learning about my breakup with Darius, my grandfather immediately arranged a blind date for me.

Although it was an arranged marriage, my grandfather had selected only the best candidates for me.

Until I walked out of the City Hall, I was still in a daze. Looking at the marriage certificate in my hand, I couldn't believe I had actually gotten married.

Looking at the person beside me, I hesitated to speak and he also looked at me as if he wanted to say something.

But just then, the phone rang at an inopportune moment.

It was work-related, so Barry Matthews hurriedly said goodbye to me and left.

During this time, my phone kept vibrating and I didn't have time to check it until I got home.

It was from my university classmates' group chat.

Someone had secretly taken a photo of me at the City Hall.

[Isn't that Shawna, the trendsetter girl on our campus? I heard she broke up with Darius. What's she doing at the City Hall?]

[I think they're just a couple playing around. That couple never broke up.]

[@Darius @Shawna, I'm waiting for your wedding invitation then.]

I wanted to clarify the rumors, but Darius beat me to it.

[We’ve already broken up. @Shawna, don’t think that going to the City Hall will get my attention. Breaking up is breaking up.]

While looking at the message on my phone, I let out a mocking laugh.

“How thick-skinned are you? Don't get carried away. What does it have to do with you that I'm going to the City Hall with my husband today?"

Darius looked at the photo of me standing at the entrance of the City Hall and clenched his fists tightly.

But the next moment, he calmed down.

[@Shawna so, you're getting married? Fine, bring him to the class reunion in three days so I can meet him. Don’t forget to bring the marriage certificate!]

Seeing that we were really about to start arguing in the group chat, the classmates realized that we had truly broken up.

They tried to smooth things over, but I just replied with a casual [Sure.]

Three days were agonizing for Darius, but they flew by for me.

Although Barry and I got married in a hurry, we still needed to handle the necessary matters.

The wedding house needed to be redecorated and I needed to move. 

Since finding out about our marriage, Grandpa had been so happy he could not stop smiling.

Three days flew by and Barry promised to accompany me.

However, there was an urgent matter at the company, so he would be a bit late.

By the time I arrived, almost everyone was already there.

When he saw that there was no one beside me, Darius’s face lit up with a smug smile.

Sofia, sitting beside him, spoke up at the right moment, “I told you so, Shawna must have been lying to you. Don't worry about it."

The entire private room was filled with my university classmates and we all got along well. 

As soon as I arrived, people greeted me, seemingly trying to divert the conversation away from a particular topic.