I knew her accounts were frozen because of the bankruptcy filing.

That’s why I gave her the cash — so she could still eat while I wasn’t around.

“Ethan, I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Once I recover… we’ll get married. I promise.”

She had cried like her heart was breaking.

But today…

She used that same money as a tip — to clean Liam’s shoes.

I wandered aimlessly down the street, gripping the bills so tightly they dug into my palm.

When I passed a small diner, I walked in without thinking.

Ordered several plates.

Devoured everything.

Since Emma became “sick,” I survived on day-old bread and cheap instant meals — saving every dollar for her treatment.

I’d lost thirty pounds in a year.

But now, I finally understood.

Her illness was a lie.

The debt was a lie.

She could spend over two hundred thousand renting a theme park —

Just to make another man smile.

How could she ever have been bankrupt?

Tears dropped into my food.

And for the first time, I knew:

Emma and I… were done.

When I returned to the hospital suite that night, she was lying peacefully in bed.

Calm. Serene.

As if she hadn’t been a heartless heiress just hours earlier.

She reached for my hand, brushing the scars left by months of harsh labor and street gigs.

“Rough day? You look exhausted.”

I laughed — bitter and jagged.

“Yeah. I’m sure Universal Studios tired you out too.”

Her expression faltered.

“Universal Studios? Who told you that? I was here all day — because of the illness—”

I pulled the cash from my pocket before she could finish.

Her face turned paper-white.

After a long silence, she whispered:

“You were inside that mascot costume?”

“So… you know?”

I nodded.

She rushed to justify herself:

“Okay, I admit it. I never went bankrupt, and I’m not sick.

But Ethan — my family is wealthy. To marry into the Brooks Family, you need to prove your loyalty.

This was all part of the vetting. A test.”

She grabbed my arm.

“You should be happy! I’m not sick — you don’t have to struggle anymore.

And… you passed the test.

We can get married now.”

She flashed a perfectly rehearsed bright smile.

Once, I would have cried from joy hearing such words.

Now, all I could see was deception.

A relationship built on lies was already dead.

“No. We’re done.

And the medical bills and debts I paid? You’re giving me every cent back.”

Panic surged into her eyes.

“I can pay back the money — but break up? Absolutely not!

We’ve been together too long. We’re getting married soon. You can’t just walk away now.

I’ll make it up to you — I swear I will!”

She said that and pulled out her phone, ready to transfer money to me.

But right then, Liam Hayes’s call came in. Almost instantly, Emma Brooks accepted it.

“Emma… I feel awful. Can you come keep me company… please?”

Liam’s slurred voice oozed from the speaker.

Emma panicked.

Still in her patient gown, she jumped off the bed.

I stepped in front of her.

“You said you were going to make it up to me.”

She shot me a look filled with disgust.

“Money, money, money—do you ever think about anything else? Didn’t you hear Liam? He’s drunk! What if something happens to him?”

She sneered.

“You clearly haven’t passed my test yet. You’re still after my family’s money. The vetting continues.”

With that, she stormed out of the private hospital suite.

I watched her run off and dialed a number I hadn’t touched in a long time.

Emma Brooks—why do you think I can’t live without you?

Why do you think I must care about your ridiculous test?

After hanging up, I went back to the Downtown LA luxury high-rise apartment we shared.

It was a spacious flat—over two thousand square feet—with a monthly rent of $8,000.

Before Emma’s bankruptcy, I had been living in my own three-bedroom condo.

But when her accounts were frozen, I sold it to help pay off the so-called debt she owed.

I had suggested we downsize to a two-bedroom so we could save money for her treatment.

But she insisted on this luxury place instead.

She said cramped housing would worsen her mood—and her “condition.”

I knew she was raised like royalty, so I gritted my teeth and signed the lease.

I had only been home a few minutes when the door opened.

Emma walked in, practically carrying Liam, who was completely drunk.

Seeing me staring at them, annoyance flashed across her face.

“What are you standing there for? Come help!”

I almost laughed out loud.

“Emma Brooks, what is this? You’re not even pretending anymore? Now you’re bringing him home to our place?”

“What are you jealous about? He’s drunk, can’t you tell? You know how to make hangover soup—go make him one.”

She eased Liam onto the couch.

He clung to her waist, burying his face against her chest like some spoiled puppy.

“Emma… don’t bother Ethan Carter. It’s late… he worked all day. I’ll be fine… as long as you’re right here…”

I continued to stare coldly at them.

Emma’s expression darkened.

“Is it really that hard to make hangover soup for him? How do you expect to pass the Carter Family’s social vetting acting this petty?”

I let out a low laugh.

“Emma Brooks, why would you think I still want to marry you?”

She froze—then suddenly laughed.

“Jealousy is unbecoming, Ethan. If you didn’t want to be with me, why did you follow me around like a loyal dog?

Why did you sell your home to pay my debts?

Why did you work four gig jobs a day just to cover my medical bills?

Everything you’ve done is because you want to be with me. To marry me.”

“If you just make that hangover soup, I’ll consider you officially passing the test. How about that?”

Emma looked so smug—so sure she had me wrapped around her finger.

I only chuckled.

“This place is under my name on the lease. We are done. Take Liam and get out. Unless you want security to escort you.”

From the couch, Liam suddenly giggled.

“Kick us out? Ethan… didn’t you know? This apartment is actually under my name.”

Emma stiffened.

Liam blinked up at her.

“Sorry, Emma… you told me not to tell him this, right?”

He yawned and grinned at me.

“You didn’t know? This place used to belong to Emma. But it’s my birthday today—she gave it to me as a gift.

Next month, you can just pay rent directly to me.”

I felt myself freeze.

I looked at Emma, disbelief twisting into something uglier.

She hadn’t expected Liam to spill it. Panic flickered in her eyes.

“No wonder you insisted on this place,” I said quietly.

“I sold my only asset. I worked myself to the bone. I almost donated plasma for money.”

“And all this time, this place belonged to you?

Humiliating me like this—was it fun?”

A flash of guilt crossed her face.

“Ethan, I—”

“Don’t,” I cut her off. “Tell me the truth. Did you ever love me?”

She opened her mouth… but nothing came out.

Liam staggered to his feet.

“So what? If you love a woman, you suffer for her.

Besides, this vetting? It’s The Brooks Family’s rule.

You’re a nobody. And they’re high-class.

If you can marry her, you basically skip fifty years of struggle.

What are you complaining about?”

His words wiped the last trace of guilt off Emma’s face.

I laughed once—sharp and final.

“Perfect. Then you be the groom.”

I grabbed my jacket and walked out.

Emma tried to stop me, but Liam leaned on her harder.

“Emma… dizzy…”

She panicked immediately.

As I reached the gate of the tower complex, a Maybach rolled to a stop in front of me.

The driver stepped out and bowed slightly.

“Young Master Carter, I’m relieved you’ve finally seen through that Brooks girl.

Miss Ava Collins arrives from Scandinavia tomorrow. We’re all expecting wedding news soon.”

Emma didn’t contact me for days after that.

I returned to The Carter Family estate—only to get hit on the shoulder by my grandfather’s cane.

When I insisted on pursuing Emma years ago, Grandfather Carter locked my credit card and left me only a small condo.

I swore I would prove him wrong.

I swore I would win the girl of my dreams.

But now…

Even I had no choice but to admit—he was right.