Chapter 1

On New Year's Eve, the restaurant we were at for our date was holding a lottery.

My boyfriend, Michael Carter, looked totally uninterested. It was only after I kept nudging him that he finally, with obvious reluctance, grabbed a lottery ticket.

Michael muttered, "I told you this has to be a scam... Wait, what? One million dollars?"

Michael's hand was shaking so badly that he could barely hold the ticket. Seeing that, I couldn't help but smile.

"That's great! Now your company can finally pull together the funding," I said.

I was just about to toast when Michael suddenly said, "Alright, we're done."

My hand froze in mid-air.

Michael smirked. "I've wasted three years on you. I thought your family would give me a hand, but you guys are as tight-fisted as ever and wouldn't give me a dime. Guess I still have to rely on myself."

It felt like my heart was being crushed by an invisible fist, and the pain was so intense I could barely breathe.

I asked him again, "Are you sure?"

Michael scoffed. "What are you waiting for? Hoping I'll split the lottery with you?"

Then I quickly sent a message to the manager of the restaurant: [Sorry, something's come up. Please cancel that custom-made one-million lottery we arranged.]

As soon as the message went through, I put my phone away.

Michael lifted his eyelids with a nasty, mocking smirk. "What, already texting your mom to tattle? Or are you begging her to back you up?"

My knuckles turned white as I gripped my phone.

But Michael acted like he didn't even notice and kept going. "Don't bother. If your mom really gave a damn about you, she would've forked over some cash for me ages ago. I wouldn't have been stuck scraping by all this time.

"Honestly, is your family all show, no substance? No wonder your mom's always dolled up like some streetwalker. Maybe she's out there selling herself for cash, and that's why she won't spend a dime on you."

He paused and gave me a once-over, his eyes practically dripping with contempt. "But hey, now's perfect timing. Since we're breaking up, you can go back and hang out with her.

"You two could work the streets together. You might even rake in more cash that way."

"Michael!" I could feel anger boiling up from my toes to the top of my head, my whole body buzzing with rage. "This is between us. Leave my mom out of it. Watch your mouth!"

Besides, my family was the one who put up the first investment for Michael's company.

It was only later, when my mom realized Michael couldn't be trusted, that she refused to put in any more money.

I was an idiot, getting myself caught up in all this and even helping him line his pockets.

Michael was stunned by my shout, like I'd struck a nerve. He jumped to his feet. "Am I wrong? How does your mom get so much money?

"That old bat is always plastered in makeup and flashing those fake, claw-like nails. If she's not selling herself, what else is she doing?"

"You bastard!" My heart squeezed painfully, and I was shaking all over with anger.

I snatched up the glass of water in front of me and tried to throw it at him, but a waiter rushed over and stopped me just in time.

"Sir, ma'am, please leave immediately." The waiter's voice was trembling. "This is a public place. You're disturbing the other guests."

"Disturbing? Do you know who I am?" Michael shoved the waiter's hand away and jabbed a finger at the lottery ticket on the table, bragging loudly. "I just won one million!

"You really think you can kick me out? I could buy this whole place right now if I want."

Everyone in the restaurant turned to stare at us.

I took a deep breath, blinked back the tears, and headed for the exit.

Michael was dragged along by security, right behind me.

Just as we reached the door, he suddenly shouted, "Wait, I haven't claimed my grand prize yet."

The waiter looked dumbfounded, probably never expecting anyone to make such a fuss over a cheap stuffed toy.

Still looking confused, he replied, "Sir, you can't go back in right now, but you can come back and claim your grand prize within three days after the holiday. It's all valid, so don't worry."

Michael finally nodded, looking reassured. Then he left at once.

I walked out of the restaurant, and the icy air mixed with the lingering smell of fireworks slapped me in the face, clearing my head a bit.

I hailed a cab and went straight to our apartment.

Without even pausing to catch my breath, I headed straight to the bedroom, flung open the closet, and started packing up my stuff.

I shoved clothes and skincare products into my suitcase, moving fast and frantic.

It felt like if I packed everything up in a hurry, I could finally cut ties and end this relationship for good.

If Michael could walk away so ruthlessly, why should I hang onto even a shred of hope?

But as I reached the bottom of my suitcase and my fingers touched something cold, my hand paused.

I pulled it out. It was a photo, creased from being squashed at the bottom. It was taken during a mountain hike.