Chapter 2
At seventeen, Jason was living in his uncle's basement.
His uncle had taken the compensation money from his parents' car accident and brought him home.
In that three-bedroom house, all Jason got was a cramped little spot, barely enough room to call his own.
During the summer, it was so stuffy and hot that he couldn't sleep a wink all night.
Back in my previous life, after I fell for Jason and realized his uncle was treating him like dirt, I spent a fortune on him, got him an apartment, ordered healthy meals for him, and even hired a lawyer to sue his uncle.
Jason's senior year should've been a complete disaster.
But I couldn't sit back and watch. I had his back and kept him safe from all the drama so he could actually focus on his studies, and in the end, he got into Briarcliff University.
Jason was grateful for everything I did, and when we started college, he finally agreed to be with me.
I've always been bossy, if I wanted something, I never cared about anyone else's feelings.
Whether he was thankful or wanted to repay me, it didn't matter. As long as I made him mine, that was all I cared about.
But I underestimated how greedy people could be.
Having Jason physically wasn't enough, I wanted his heart, too.
Jason was always so gentle and reserved, like he had no desires or ambitions at all.
After I threw money at his startup and helped him score some deals, I couldn't help but imagine us getting married and having kids.
On the day I gathered my girlfriends to propose to him, Jason was dressed to the nines, having wrapped up his Series A funding.
He glanced at all the cameras, then met my expectant gaze, and suddenly smiled.
With a strange look on his face, he asked, "Lily, are you never going to let me go? "
I thought he was saying something sweet, so I nodded eagerly.
"Yes, I love you. I'll never let you go, Jason. Let's get married, " I said.
He blinked, his expression caught between tears and a smile.
Later, Anna told me that what I did was basically turning Jason into my kept man.
"Jason's been busting his ass to make something of himself, so he can break free from you, the rich girl, " she said.
Anna asked, "Do you even realize that every time he goes out to close a deal, people joke he's only successful because of you? Do you have any idea how much that messes with him? "
I couldn't take it in, I figured Anna was acting all high and mighty.
Because no matter if it was daily life or when we were close as husband and wife, Jason never seemed annoyed or bothered.
Any arguments or issues between us, I figured it was us needing time to adjust.
Once we worked through it, I was sure things would get even better.
It wasn't until the car accident, when Jason finally confessed, that I realized he loved me, but he hated the burden that came with loving me.
I'd been selfish my whole life, but this time, I was determined to stay far away from him.
When I got home and talked to my dad about going abroad, he was thrilled.
"I told you that Grant kid was a good match for you, " he said.
"He might not be as amazing as his big brother, but you two are still a great fit.
"If you two go abroad together and spend all that time together, you'll end up falling for each other sooner or later.
"Once you finish school, you can come work at my company. I've worked so hard all these years so you could have it easier.
"Just stick to the path, secure your spot as CEO of Summers Group, get married, and have a kid. That would make me the happiest dad in the world."