Year three of hiding who I was and dating Jenny Knapp, my parents finally said yes to the marriage.

I rushed home, ready to tell her—then froze outside the door.

Jenny was inside with Nolan Cruz, her childhood friend.

"My neighborhood's about to get redeveloped. Big payout. You can finally dump that loser and be with me. If my family hadn't gone broke, you wouldn't have settled for him."

No pause.

"I'll tell him my family's drowning in debt so we can break up. Then I'll register the marriage with you right away."

The words on my tongue died.

I pushed the door open.

She turned to me, face tight. "My family owes $500,000. I don't want to drag you down. Let's break up."

"Sure."

I pulled out my phone and texted my dad.

[Dad, don't transfer those three buildings to Jenny. Cancel the South Borevia redevelopment project.]

If she thought we were worlds apart, I'd show her exactly where I stood.

When Jenny heard me, the grief on her face locked up.

She'd probably played out a thousand versions of me falling apart, begging her to stay. The one thing she didn't expect? Me agreeing.

Shock flickered. Then it snapped into anger. "Gavin, what's that supposed to mean? You're just... okay with it? Be honest—have you been wanting this for a while?"

I didn't even get a word in.

Nolan stepped up, jabbing a finger at my face. "What kind of guy are you? Her family's in trouble. She's breaking up so she won't drag you down, and you won't even try to stop her? She wasted three years on you!"

I looked at them and almost laughed.

They couldn't wait to ditch me, and now they were playing victims, trying to pin it all on me.

"Spineless loser. You don't deserve Jenny!" Nolan kept going, acting like I dumped her the second I heard about the debt, like I'd just bail the second things got hard.

I met his eyes, cold. "Oh yeah? Then why are you in my place with my girlfriend?"

He froze, words stuck in his throat.

Jenny cut in fast. "Nolan... he heard about my family and came to comfort me. Don't twist it with your petty thinking."

"Is that so?"

I took my time with it.

I'd heard everything.

That whole $500,000 debt thing? Just an excuse so she could run back to her childhood friend—the one about to cash in.

Nolan saw me stay quiet and got cocky.

He pulled Jenny in, chin up. "I'll be real. My old neighborhood's getting redeveloped. Once that payout hits, I'm set. Jenny won't suffer with me. If my family hadn't gone broke back then, you think you'd get this lucky? She was with you out of pity. Now I've got money again, she's coming back to me."

I looked at him, calm. "Fine. Let's see if you're still smiling at the end."

Jenny's face dropped. "What's that supposed to mean? Just because you're useless doesn't mean you can't stand seeing other people win."

Nolan shoved me. "Damn, you're broke and still talking big? You don't deserve Jenny!"

Right then, Jenny's parents walked in.

Mrs. Knapp lit up when she saw Nolan. "Oh, Nolan! Sit, sit. I'll make you some tea."

She turned to me, smile gone. "Gavin, why are you still here? Jenny already said it. You're a grown man—stop clinging."

Mr. Knapp jumped in, "Exactly. With our situation, a broke kid like you can't give Jenny any security. Don't drag her down. Know your place."

The whole family was putting on an act.

I looked at the whole scene and felt nothing.

I turned to go upstairs.

Next second, Jenny dragged my suitcase out and tossed it onto the porch.

"I already packed for you. Take your stuff and go. Don't come back. We're done."

The door slammed in my face.

I stared at it, then pulled out my phone and texted my dad.

[Dad, don't transfer those three buildings to Jenny. Cancel the South Borevia redevelopment project.]

If she thought we were worlds apart, I'd show her exactly where I stood.

Half an hour later, a Rolls-Royce Phantom rolled up to the hillside villa.

I stepped out and looked at the mansion glowing in the dark. Felt like a different life.

For three years, because of Jenny, I'd basically cut myself off from this place.

The second my mom saw me, she stood and rushed over, grabbing my hands, looking me up and down, eyes already red.

"Gavin, you finally came to your senses. That Jenny—I knew from the start she wasn't it. Nothing real about her. Just calculating."

My dad sighed and handed me a cup of tea. "Your mom's right. We saw how deep you were in, but we didn't push. Didn't want to drive you away. Now you've seen it for yourself... that's what matters."

I held the cup, warmth seeping into my hands, my throat tight.

Yeah. I saw it.

It cost me three years of my life.

To prove Jenny loved me—not my money—I played normal for three years. Even acting broke, I never let her struggle. I covered everything.

Not long ago, I finally got my parents to agree to the marriage.

I was gonna tell her the truth on her birthday. Had three buildings lined up as a wedding gift.

But now...

My mom looked at me and switched gears. "It's over. I found you a girl. Family, character, looks—top tier. She makes Jenny look like nothing."

"Mom, I'm not ready—"

"You're going," she cut in. "Trust me. You won't regret this."

Seeing me hesitate, my dad jumped in. "Just meet her. Treat it like meeting a new friend. Your mom's been stressing over this."

They didn't let up. I gave in. "Fine. I'll go. Who is she?"

My mom smiled, all secretive. "You'll see. Big surprise."

The next day, I headed to the mall downtown with the address she gave me.

After parking, I walked toward the restaurant, texting my mom—[This place is kinda dated.]

Right as I glanced down at my phone, a familiar voice cut in.

"Gavin, couldn't stay away? Following me already?"

I looked up.

Jenny stood there, hooked onto Nolan's arm, staring at me like it was a joke.

Nolan scoffed and stepped in front of her. "I'm telling you right now—stay in your lane. Jenny's with me. You keep showing up, we're gonna have a problem."

I didn't even slow down. Just walked past them.

Jenny chased after me, still going. "Gavin, I get it—you're not over me. But we're not even on the same level anymore. Look at you. We just broke up and you're still wearing knockoffs. Now look at what Nolan got me. This bag costs more than you'll ever make. At least be honest with yourself."

She held up her Hermès bag, smug as hell.

I didn't react.

Nolan took that as me folding and got even louder. He wrapped an arm around her and called out, "Next month, on the eighth—we're getting married right here at Celestria Grand. Don't bother coming. And don't bring a gift either. This wedding's not for guys like you. So take the hint and move on."

Watching the two of them tag-team me, I almost laughed.

"Give up?" I let out a quiet laugh. "You've got it backwards. I'm here for a date."

"A date?" Jenny laughed like I'd just told a joke. "Gavin, if you're gonna lie, at least try. Looking like that—who would pick you?"

Nolan jumped in, patting my shoulder like he owned the place. "If you want Jenny back, just say it. No need for all this."

I didn't bother explaining.

Right then, my phone rang. My date.

I answered on speaker, right in front of them.

"Hey, Gavin. It's Maya." Her voice carried a hint of apology.

The name felt familiar.

"Sorry—something came up. I might not make it today."

"It's fine. Handle it."

I hung up.

A text came through.

[To make it up to you, dinner in three days? Top-floor revolving restaurant at the Celestria Grand. My treat. You good with that?]

Celestria Grand—the most over-the-top hotel in the city. One meal there could wipe out a year's salary.

Before I could reply, Jenny and Nolan lost it.

"Wow, keep it going!" Jenny doubled over laughing. "Where'd you find her? Trying to prove you're doing great without me?"

Nolan pulled her in, looking at me like I was nothing. "I'm telling you, it's pointless. This just makes you look worse."

I slid my phone away.

Watching them go off, I couldn't even be bothered.

"You done? I'm here to eat."

My calm set them off.

"You ungrateful loser!" Nolan pointed at me, face twisted. "You think you can eat here? Bet you're gonna dine and dash. Security! Security!"

Two guards rushed over.

"Mr. Cruz, how can we help?" The lead guard clearly knew him.

Nolan pointed at me, smug. "Throw this creep out. He's ruining our meal. This place doesn't need broke trash like him."

Jenny crossed her arms. "Yeah, get him out. He's killing the vibe."

The guard paused, spoke into his radio, then looked back at them—face all business.

"We've had complaints about you causing a disturbance and harassing other guests. You need to leave. Now."

They both froze.

"What... What did you say?" Nolan stared at him. "You're kicking me out? Do you know who I am? I'm a VVIP here!"

"Orders from the general manager." The guard gestured to the exit.

"This is ridiculous!" Nolan kept shouting, still trying to argue.

The guards were done talking. One grabbed each of them and hauled them toward the entrance.

I was about to grab a table when my mom walked over, dressed head-to-toe in Chanel.

"Mom? What are you doing here?"

"How could I not come? I had to make sure you showed up." She gave me a look, then smiled. "Oh—and I forgot to mention. This mall? Ours."

I let out a small, helpless smile and walked off with her.

***

Third-Person POV

Two security guards dragged Jenny and Nolan to the mall entrance, both of them a mess. They looked up just in time to see Gavin walking off, his arm linked with a polished, middle-aged woman.

It clicked for Nolan. "Now I get it. I was wondering how a broke loser like him suddenly grew a spine. So he found himself a new backer."

Jenny clenched her jaw. "He... He really hooked up with some rich older woman."

They stared after him, refusing to accept it, then finally left the mall.