He Wanted a Doll, I Became a Legend

After three years together, the man who had once promised to marry me, Babur Caldwell, threw me out the moment he got into Redmont University.

"Valeria, a pretty little fool who only knows how to dress up, how could you ever be worthy of someone like me, a future elite of Gilded Row?"

Later, when I, Valerie Quinn, became the Financial Queen admired by thousands, he knelt in front of me, sobbing, begging for another chance.

Holding the bouquet Kearney Smith had sent me, I answered in the same tone he had once used.

"Sorry, Babur, someone as short-sighted as you isn't worthy of an elite like me."

......

On the fifth anniversary of our relationship, Babur suddenly sent me a photo of a diamond ring.

I was overjoyed and immediately shared the news with my friend.

"Oh my God, Babur just bought a ring! He has to be planning to propose! He used to say he wouldn't get married until he secured an offer from Redmont University, and now he couldn't even wait to buy a ring. He must not want to keep me waiting any longer."

My friend's expression turned strange.

She fell silent for a moment before speaking softly.

"Valeria, you didn't know? Babur already got into Redmont University. He invited us to his celebration party last night, and yesterday he also said..."

"Really? He got into Redmont?"

I nearly jumped, shaking her shoulders in excitement.

"That's amazing! He must be planning to surprise me! I'd better get ready!"

I could already picture him dropping to one knee and proposing to me.

But there was no trace of blessing on her face. After a long pause, she finally asked, "Valeria, are you sure Babur is going to marry you?"

"Of course." I answered without hesitation. "Babur loves me more than anyone in the world. After we graduated, he couldn't bear to see me struggle. He never let me work."

Thinking back on the years we had shared, I couldn't stop the smile tugging at my lips.

"Three years ago, at our graduation party, when he asked me to move in with him, he told me he would love me, take care of me, and protect me for the rest of his life."

My friend's expression grew even stranger, as if she had something on her mind.

But when I pressed her, she simply shook her head.

"It's nothing, Valeria. Weren't we going to buy a gift?"

We headed to the nearby mall together.

I was a regular there. I used to come almost every month to buy new accessories.

The sales associate knew me well. When she saw me, she gave me a teasing wink.

"Valeria, your boyfriend really spoils you. An hour ago, he bought a diamond ring next door. Looks like wedding bells are coming."

Thinking of the ring Babur had sent me, I couldn't help smiling.

"Yeah. It's our anniversary today, so I thought I'd get him something too."

After browsing for a long time, I finally chose a watch.

It matched the color of the necklace he had once given me. I was sure he would love it.

I could already imagine him wearing it with a tailored suit, confident and accomplished.

I swiped the card with practiced ease and picked up the box to leave.

The sales associate caught my wrist, her expression awkward.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Quinn, but your card has been frozen. The payment didn't go through."

"What?"

My first instinct was that the machine had made a mistake.

This was the supplementary card Babur had given me. After we moved in together, he told me I didn't need to work. He would take care of me.

He had placed the card in my hand himself. For the past few years, every expense of mine had come from it.

He said the card represented his love for me. How could it possibly be frozen?

Only after she confirmed it truly wouldn't work did I take out my phone and call Babur, only to realize I had been blocked.

I stood there, stunned.

The sales associate gently took the watch back from my hands, her tone no longer as warm as before.

"Ms. Quinn, maybe you should talk to Mr. Caldwell before making this purchase. I've heard Mr. Caldwell has been spending a lot of time with Professor Smith's daughter lately. Ms. Quinn, I have to say this. If you two have broken up, you shouldn't keep using your ex-boyfriend's card."

"That's impossible!" I shot back loudly. "Babur loves me more than anyone! Everyone knows that!"

I was shouting, but my friend gripped my hand, looking at me with pity.

People around us began to stare.

Their scrutinizing, contemptuous looks burned my skin.

As if I really were some shameless woman living off an ex-boyfriend's card.

But just that morning, Babur and I had woken up in the same bed.

I couldn't bear it anymore. I turned and ran.

Behind me, I could hear whispers rising, but my mind held only one thought, find Babur.

I went back to the home we shared.

Before I even stepped inside, I saw the candlelit dinner prepared through the window.

It was romantic, just like every anniversary before.

My mood lifted. It had to be a misunderstanding.

How could I doubt my own boyfriend because of what others said?

But when I opened the door, I was met with Babur's impatient face.

He shoved a large suitcase into my hands and pointed at several bags on the floor.

"Valeria. Take your things and get out of my house."