My ears rang from their mocking. Especially when the MC announced that the Brisbane family would soon have a daughter-in-law. And it was Maddie—not me.

The whole event felt torturous, especially when Maddie came up to me, making my blood boil even more.

"Hey, Ava. Your work's good. My engagement to Jason feels even more special because of the decor," Maddie said with a sly smile. "It wasn’t a waste to hire you."

I frowned. "Oh, so you hired me on purpose?"

"Of course. Watching your almost-tears makes me so satisfied! Jason’s mine, Ava. You don’t deserve him!"

Her eyes were cold, her grin made me want to rip her apart. I walked away, but she grabbed my arm with a fake smile.

"Could you grab my violin over there? I’m going to perform with it for my special event," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I wanted to say no, but I couldn’t—because of the staff uniform I was wearing. I didn’t want people thinking I was unprofessional.

"Fine," I said, forcing a smile.

I grabbed the violin. My throat tightened as I locked eyes with Jason. His face was blank, while I almost cried.

"Four years together really meant nothing, huh, Jason?" I muttered.

Once I had the violin, I brought it to Maddie. She was standing with Jason and his dad. She spoke loudly so I could hear.

"Dad, if Jason doesn’t marry me, would you want an orphan for a daughter-in-law?"

Mr. Brisbane’s answer hit me like a hammer. "I’ll kick Jason out if he dates a poor girl, let alone an orphan. He’ll marry you."

My heart sank. Jason’s gaze was cold, making it worse.

I forced a smile and handed the violin to Maddie. "Here’s your violin, Miss."

"Thanks," she said, reaching for it. But then she pulled her hand back, letting it fall.

"Oh no! Dad, your gift violin fell!" she whined.

Mr Brisbane glared at me. "Can’t you do anything right?!" he snapped.

I flinched. He dared yell at me in front of everyone.

"I-I’m sorry, Sir," I said, bowing my head.

"Get out! Useless worker—no wonder you’re poor!"

His words slapped me. No matter how hard I worked, I’d never match the Brisbane family’s money.

I walked away quickly, holding back my tears. I didn’t expect Jason to come after me.

"I told you, you’ll regret not listening," he said.

"I’m glad I didn’t listen, now I know you’ve been cheating with Maddie!" I shot back.

"I’m not cheating!" he yelled.

He hated cheating, but he was doing it. He once told me how his mom left because of his dad’s infidelity. But his love for Maddie blinded him.

"If it’s not cheating, then what is it?" I asked, my voice shaking.

"You heard what my dad said. He’ll disown me if I don’t marry Maddie," he said with a sigh.

Jason slicked his hair back and grabbed my hand.

"Ava, do you think my dad would ever approve if he found out I was dating you? Don’t kid yourself, just understand. I’ve sorted everything. You just need to stay home and do what I say."

"I’m not your damn puppet, Jason!" I snapped.

Maddie showed up, pulling Jason away.

"Jason! What are you doing here? Our event isn’t over!" she said, glaring at me.

I smiled bitterly. "Wow! Maddie Joy, fighting for someone else’s boyfriend!"

"Watch your mouth!" she snapped.

"What? It’s true, right? Jason’s still my boyfriend, and now you two are engaged?"

"Oh, Ava, do you really think you could be part of the Brisbane family? You’re poor, you don’t even have parents. Isn’t the money Jason gives you enough? Gold digger!" Maddie sneered.

My jaw clenched. I’d never even spent a cent of Jason’s money—it was still untouched.

"Calm down, babe," Jason said to Maddie with a smile.

"She is a gold digger! Like being poor isn’t enough, now you think you can join the Brisbane fam? Shameless!" she snapped. "Listen, Ava—even if you sell yourself and become rich, you’ll never measure up to me!"

Maddie mocked me again, holding Jason’s hand tighter. What made me even angrier was that Jason didn’t react. He just stared at me coldly.

"Jason, are you just going to stand there while I get insulted?" I asked.

"What do you want me to do when you won’t even listen to me?" he replied, uninterested.

"Let’s go, Jason!" Maddie said, dragging him away.

"Okay, babe," he said, smiling sweetly at her.

Jason glanced at me. "You’ve changed, Ava. You’re not obedient like before," he said coldly, walking away with Maddie.

My blood boiled. Did he really see me as some pet who should just obey him?

"You're such a jerk, Jason!"

My work kept piling up, and I knew Maddie was intentionally making things difficult for me, trying to show her power.

I just stayed silent as I watched Maddie play the violin, with Jason on piano. Everyone clapped after their performance.

"Ava, can you grab my violin?" Maddie called.

I walked over reluctantly. She taunted me one more time before I handed it over.

"See? You’re just meant to be my servant, Ava," she laughed.

I was furious. As she handed me the violin, I dropped it on purpose and stepped on it.

"Ouch, Miss, why’d you drop it? Isn’t this valuable?" I teased. "Maybe you should buy a new one. You said you have a lot of money, right?"

I walked off, flipping her the bird as I went.

***

At home, Jason was furious.

"Ava, are you crazy?! Why’d you destroy her violin?!" he shouted.

"She took you from me. It’s just a violin. She can buy another one. What about you? Should I go find a replacement for you?" I said coldly.

"Oh, Ava. I know you’re jealous, but there’s no need for that. I’m with Maddie just to please my dad. How many times do I have to say it?" His neck veins were bulging, eyes sharp.

"Then why was there a condom in the trash in our room the day you and Maddie were here?" My voice cracked as I held back tears.

Jason stared at me, his face shocked. "Okay, sorry. Before you went home, some of my friends came here. The condom's one of theirs."

"Then you let a stranger into our room, Jason?" I asked, giving him a sarcastic smile at his lie.

"It’s not a stranger, it's a friends! This is my house, I can bring anyone I want!" he snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Fine, if that’s how it is, I’m outta here. I agreed to stay because you said you wouldn’t bring anyone else here!" I shouted, turning to leave.

"Ava!" Jason grabbed my arm, his face angry. "Do you think you can live without me, huh?!"

"Fine! I won’t bring anyone here again! Happy now?!"

I pulled my arm away, forcing a bitter smile, holding back tears.

"Do you think I can sleep in the bed you used for sex with Maddie?" I asked, my voice tight.

"I told you, that condom isn’t mine! Do you have proof it’s mine, huh?!"

"Let’s check the CCTV then. Everything’s recorded, right? Who went into our room when I wasn’t there?!" I challenged him.

His face went pale, panic taking over as he grabbed my hand. "Is this because you're jealous of Maddie? You're so cute, Ava," he said, trying to soften the moment.

"Stop changing the subject! If I say I’m jealous, would you cancel your engagement to Maddie? No, right?"

Tears started to fall down my cheek without me realizing it. "Enough, Jason. Let me go. Let’s break up."

I took a step back, walking away from him. I’d had enough of this toxic relationship after four years.

"Ava, calm down. Don’t do this. You know I love you," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I promise I’ll treat you better. Don’t go, okay? I can’t live without you."

He wiped away my tears, giving me a sweet smile. His eyes were full of guilt.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t there for your graduation. I’m sorry I brought someone else into our home. I’m sorry I disappointed you. I promise I’ll prioritize you from now on."

Jason hugged me, kissing my forehead with affection. But I knew it was all just to keep me from leaving. Maybe he didn’t want to lose his obedient girlfriend.

In the end, I pretended to forgive Jason. In three weeks, I’d leave him. I’d go to London earlier than planned.

"Don’t break your promise again, Jason. I really will leave if you do," I said, looking at him seriously.

He smiled and kissed my cheek. "Of course, babe. Now let’s sleep together."

"No, Jason. I’ll sleep in the other room," I refused.

"Ah, okay. Goodnight, love."

I went to the smaller room in the house. Since I found the condom in our room, I couldn’t bring myself to sleep there. I didn’t want to always picture what Jason and Maddie had done in that bed.

The next morning, Jason acted like the perfect boyfriend. He woke up early and made breakfast for me.

"Morning, babe. Here, this is for you," he smiled, handing me a plate of toast.

"Thanks, Jason," I smiled, pretending.

"I hope tomorrow it’s you making me breakfast," Jason smiled, kissing my hand.

"Alright, I’ll make it tomorrow."

A week passed, and I played the role of the perfect girlfriend Jason wanted—always doing what he asked. But quietly, I started packing my things bit by bit, getting ready to leave.

I was working on some projects, decorating for a baby’s birthday. And, of course, bad luck followed me. The baby’s parents were Maddie’s friends. She showed up alone, boasting about marrying Jason.

"Yeah, soon I’ll marry Jason, my first love," she said loudly, making sure I heard. "But sadly, he's been busy lately getting everything ready for our wedding."

“Wow, Maddie, you’re so lucky. But I heard Jason has a girlfriend—did they break up?” Maddie’s friend asked.

"You guys know Jason’s girlfriend? She’s just a gold digger, like a parasite stuck to Jason. I’m not worried about her. She’s nothing compared to me!" Maddie said, glancing at me with a sneer.

I didn’t care, finishing my work and leaving. But Maddie wasn’t letting me off that easily. She showed me a video of her having sex with Jason in our bed.

"Look at how Jason does it with me. He’s so good, right?"

"You know, Ava. We did it a few times," she said, trying to get under my skin.

And she succeeded. Watching Jason hugging and kissing another woman broke my heart.

But I didn’t want to show Maddie that I cared. I forced a cynical smile at her.

"I see you’re really proud of yourself, Maddie. But you don’t know, do you? What Jason did for me yesterday and the days before."

"What? He made breakfast and acted like he loved you? Ava, don’t be naive. You know that’s all fake," Maddie laughed, mocking me. "If you want to know the real reason Jason’s with you, come to this place, and you’ll find out."

She gave me the address to a nightclub and walked off with a smug look. I tried not to care, but I was too curious about what she said.

I decided to go to the club, and I regretted it. I overheard Jason and his friends talking about me.

"Hey, Jason! What’s the deal with you dating Ava when you’re gonna marry Maddie?"

Jason gave a thin smile, then replied, "Ava’s for my biological needs. She’s sexy and always gets me horny. She also does whatever I say. Yeah, it’s not bad having a sex doll around the house.”

"Shit! Yeah, I know Ava’s body’s hot. What’s it like?"

"Yeah, she’s pretty good. If you wanna try, I’ll pass her on when I’m bored."

Jason’s friends burst into laughter. They were talking about me like I was some dirty joke.

I covered my mouth as tears ran down my face.

I never thought Jason—the guy I’d loved for four years—only saw me as a sex doll.

I cursed my stupidity. I should’ve known the moment he first ran off to see Maddie.

"What a jerk," I thought bitterly.

Unable to take more, I went home. Packed up my stuff to bring to Aunt Mae’s place, leaving behind all the cheap things Jason had bought me.

I gave a bitter smile. Those old gifts once made me happy. Now they just reminded me of Jason’s friends calling me a gold digger—for this junk.

"Gold digger, my ass! I never even asked for any of this."

I stomped on the old bag Jason gave me.

In two weeks, I’d leave and take all this pain with me.

Jason never really cared about me—if he did, maybe he would've noticed my stuff slowly disappearing from his place.

Until my flight to London, I kept myself busy working. I ignored Jason. He didn’t seem to care much anyway—probably too busy planning his wedding with Maddie.

One night, I came home to find Jason drunk, holding a half-empty bottle of liquor.

"Come here," he barked, patting his lap like I was a dog.

"I’m not your damn pet. I’m tired. Don’t bug me," I said, walking past him.

"Damn it! I said get over here, Ava!"

He shouted, throwing the bottle at me. It missed by inches.

"Are you crazy, Jason?!"

"You’re the one driving me crazy! I’ve been dealing with Maddie all day—the least you could do is take care of me!"

His disgusting words made my stomach churn. I turned to leave, but Jason grabbed me from behind.

"Ava, let’s hook up. Been a while, huh?"

"Let go! I’m not in the mood. Why don’t you ask Maddie?!"

"Again with that?!"

Jason looked furious, brushing back his sweaty hair. "Hey, Ava, don’t piss me off. Take off your clothes!"

He yanked my shirt, popping one of the buttons.

I screamed, shoving him back.

"Jason, stop! I said no!"

"Come on! We’ve done it before, what’s the big deal now?!"

"Jason, stop!!"

I slapped him hard, making him freeze. I sobbed, hugging my torn shirt.

"You bastard!"

Jason let out a long sigh. "This wouldn’t happen if you just obeyed."

"You sick freak! Go do that with your fiancée, Maddie!"

"Oh, I will! And you’ll regret it!"

"Go ahead, asshole! I don’t give a damn!"

I ran out in tears. My wrist ached from how hard he grabbed me. I caught my reflection in the elevator mirror—I looked a mess. A wreck.

"I swear I won’t stay in this toxic hell with you, Jason!"

I pulled myself together before heading to Aunt Mae’s house. She looked surprised I showed up so late.

"Ava, what happened?" she asked, worried.

"Nothing, Auntie. I just missed you. I’m leaving for London soon," I said, hugging her.

Thankfully, she didn’t press.

I stayed with her until it was almost time to leave. I spent the days reminiscing about my childhood. Aunt Mae told me stories about when my parents were still alive.

My dad was in real estate, and my mum was an interior designer. Maybe that’s why I love design now—she passed it down to me.

"Your mum used to get mad when you were naughty, Ava. But your dad always defended you, then got scolded by your mum," Auntie said with a laugh, sipping her tea.

I was too young then to remember any of it. Aunt Mae kept talking, making me smile, until she handed me a music box.

"Ava, this is the box your parents bought the day they had their accident."

My eyes welled up as I took it, hugging the little box. My parents died on the way home from buying me a birthday gift.

"Thanks for keeping this safe, Auntie," I said through tears.

"Don’t cry, sweetheart. Treasure this memory, okay?" She wiped my tears.

After saying my goodbyes, I went back to Jason’s house to get the rest of my stuff.

There, I found Jason cooking with Maddie, like some newlywed couple.

Jason wore just his pants. Maddie had on some skimpy lingerie. I could guess what they’d been doing.

"Oh, you’re back. Thought you weren’t coming home," Maddie sneered.

Jason turned and gave me a cold stare. "Where’ve you been? Come sit, let’s have lunch."

"I’m not hungry. I came to get my things. Like Maddie wanted, I’m leaving this place."

Jason looked shocked and chased after me.

"What do you mean, leave? Ava, stop messing around!"

"Do I look like I’m joking?"

"Ava, don’t be like this..." Jason grabbed my hand.

And once again, Maddie interrupted.

"Jason, your dad’s on the phone," she said, handing it to him.

Jason walked off to answer, not even glancing back at me. I didn’t care. I just wanted to leave.

"Good riddance if you’re really going, Ava," Maddie muttered.

I ignored her.

"Wow, Ava, you really love junk, huh?" Maddie said, picking up my music box.

"Give it back!" I snapped.

She ran away, laughing.

"It’s just old trash! Might as well break it!"

"Don’t, Maddie! Don’t you dare!"

Maddie smirked and smashed the music box before I could stop her.