Chapter 3

I never saw this coming.

Alex offered to take me to his class reunion.

I asked him why.

After all, I never went to their fancy private high school, and I wasn't really close with any of those people.

Alex shot back, "How can you say you're not close? You're my girlfriend; we've been together for three years now. Is it really that hard to come with me and meet my old classmates?"

Girlfriend?

I gave Alex a strange look.

He never liked to admit anything.

Aside from the occasional flirty talk in bed, Alex usually needed me to coax him and rarely said anything sweet to me.

So he was actually acknowledging we were together now? Not playing the role of my sugar daddy anymore?

Alex shifted uncomfortably under my gaze.

He asked, "Alright, did I say something wrong?

"It's fine to bring a plus-one. Lots of people are bringing their partners. I don't want to lose face in front of everyone."

We stood there in a standoff for a few minutes until I finally walked over and slipped my arm through his.

That was when Alex finally cracked a smile.

"Make sure you dress up tomorrow. Don't embarrass me," he said.

I nodded, asking, "How about I wear that new backless dress I got?"

Alex immediately frowned. "No way. That one's for me, not for everyone else. Wear long sleeves and pants. You won't be cold."

I rolled my eyes. Here he went again, fighting with himself.

We walked into the hotel ballroom.

No wonder it was a gathering for the rich.

Damn, these people really knew how to live it up.

As soon as Alex's friends spotted him, they came over to say hi.

When they saw me, they greeted me, "Sophie."

Wait, when did things change?

Back then, those guys couldn't stand that I was with Alex; they all thought I was his sugar baby, taking advantage of him for a free ride.

Just then, Ryan Scott gestured over to a corner.

"Taylor arrived. Why don't you two go catch up?" he asked.

As Alex and Taylor locked eyes from across the room, Ryan sidled up behind me and whispered, "Hey, Sophie, you see that? Looks like there's someone who's a much better match."

I exclaimed in surprise, "What did you say? Do you have a crush on me or something?"

Alex immediately turned and shot Ryan a cold glare.

Ryan quickly shook his head, saying, "No way, why are you trying to get me in trouble?"

Alex still managed to land a kick on Ryan.

Served Ryan right. He always acted like he was better than me, so giving him a hard time was payback.

Taylor walked over to us in a simple yet elegant white dress.

She smelled amazing.

Taylor reached out and shook my hand. She gave me a warm smile. She was so graceful and poised; anyone could tell she and Alex were a perfect match.

We all sat down at the same table.

I caught Taylor shooting Alex a look that could melt anyone's heart.

Alex met her gaze, too.

My heart sank again.

"Sophie, where are you working these days?" someone suddenly asked.

Honestly, once one started hustling for cash, who really wanted a regular job anymore?

I was stumped.

The way they were all snickering made it pretty clear what was going through their heads. See? She really was a gold-digger, hanging onto Alex for an easy life.

Everyone here was either running their own business or killing it in some fancy job. I was totally out of place.

Taylor jumped in to bail me out. She said, "I haven't found a job either. Honestly, whether you want to work or enjoy life, it's totally up to you; there's no better or worse."

They dropped the subject after that.

Talking with Taylor all night was so easy and comfortable.

She was nothing like those snobs, no airs, no attitude, genuine.

But somehow, that only made me feel even more lost.

Taylor was so amazing. I honestly couldn't figure out why I was still sticking around Alex.

Guess the ones who really belonged together always got their happy ending.

If I kept hanging onto Alex without figuring out my own future, people might end up calling my kid a bastard.

That night, I told Alex my brother was getting married, so Alex sent me a ton of money.

Guess this was the last big payday I would ever get.

This was my final shot at living in a luxury villa.

The next day, I scribbled a quick breakup note.

I told Alex I was fed up with being his sugar baby.

I couldn't stand living like this anymore.

Hope he crushed it in his career and found love, but I didn't ever want him showing up in my life again.

Not long after, Alex called. He asked, "Are you pulling another stunt, running away from home?

"So you want to go out and then blame me for not having time for you? Sophie, where are you? Can't you wait until I can free up some time and go with you?"

I shook my head and replied coldly, "No, I'm serious this time."

Alex's brow furrowed even more.

He finally seemed to get it.

Alex asked, "You're seriously leaving me because I won't accept your brother?

"Come back already! I love your brother, okay?"

Seriously, what did my brother have to do with any of this?

Once I let him know I wasn't joking, I hung up on him.