Seven Years for His Ruin

I poured my heart and soul into seven years of supporting my boyfriend, Nolan, helping him transform from a poor medical student into a rising star in surgery. But after he was welcomed into the fold of the Blackwoods, a top-tier East Coast dynasty, he dumped me.

He mocked me, calling me a "charity case" he only kept around out of pity. All my past sacrifices meant nothing to him.

"You want to marry me?" he sneered. "I'm hosting a charity gala at the seaside manor next month. If you dare show up and make a scene, maybe I'll consider giving you a few minutes."

Heartbroken, I accepted my family's arrangement for a marriage contract with the Blackwood family. Ironically, the location and date of the engagement ceremony were identical to Nolan's gala.

The moment my car pulled up to the manor, Nolan and his pack of trust-fund hyenas surrounded me.

He started a live stream on his phone, slandering me to the camera as a desperate stalker and even falsely accusing me of stealing the Blackwood family heir's signet ring.

However, when I walked onto the red carpet on the arm of the man who truly holds the power in the Blackwood family, the smile on Nolan's face froze solid.

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1

That bastard Nolan yanked me from the back of the sedan. My silk shawl slithered to the ground as I stumbled, my ankle twisting painfully in a high heel and sending a sharp, piercing pain up my leg.

"Juliet, I was joking. You actually showed up?" he stood there, a malicious sneer plastered on his face. "Are you that desperate for a man?"

His circle of wealthy, Ivy League-educated friends closed in, like a pack of hyenas that had spotted their prey.

"An orphan, deluding herself into thinking she could marry into the Blackwood family? What a joke!"

"Her figure's not bad, though."

"Since she's not good enough for the Blackwood heir's bed, why not have some fun with us? We promise to take 'good' care of you."

They laughed without restraint, their eyes raking over my body, stripping my gown off with their gazes.

I was burning with shame and fury, staring coldly at Nolan. "Nolan, have you lost your mind?"

"Just figuring that out now?" he scoffed, his eyes filled with contempt. "I was playing you. I can't believe you'd actually chase after me like this after I dumped you. I never realized you were so shameless."

"You think your little sacrifices and devotion can buy my future?" He pulled out a black American Express Centurion Card and dragged its edge across my face. "Consider your investment repaid—twofold. Now, get out of my sight."

"You're not worthy of me."

The hard edge of the card cut my cheek. A trickle of blood seeped out, stinging. I gasped, tears instantly welling in my eyes.

I stared at him, this man I had loved for seven years.