Chapter 1

My boyfriend knew I was allergic to lamb, but he still set up an all-lamb dinner for his birthday.

I popped some allergy pills and tried to have a good time with him and his friends.

However, when I came back from paying the bill, I overheard him joking around. "I bet Shirley would do even dumber things if I asked. A little allergy is nothing."

My heart sank.

Then I heard him laugh and add, "If Joan hadn't turned me down, I wouldn't even be with Shirley."

I stood at the door of the private room, staring at the red rash on my arm from the allergy. I felt so dumb.

This was the man I had tried so hard to love.

"Shirley—"

Right then, someone inside the room called out, and all eyes turned toward the door.

I forced a smile and walked away.

Behind me, the chatter continued. Someone asked, "Lawrence, aren't you going after your girlfriend? She looks upset."

Lawrence just laughed. "Why bother? Give it a couple of days. She'll come crawling back. Shirley can't live without me."

The whole room broke into laughter again.

I quickened my pace, desperate to get away.

When I got home, my parents noticed something was wrong and tried to comfort me.

I steadied myself and said, "I broke up with Lawrence. Dad, you don't have to worry about his useless project anymore."

My dad froze, looking shocked.

Then I turned to my mom. "And Mom, as for the project base he applied for at school, you don't need to bend over backward to get him special treatment just because of me. He should be treated like everyone else."

My mom's eyes went wide, and she turned to look at my dad.

After a moment, they both seemed to understand.

"Shirley, you've grown up," they said, eyes brimming with tears.

I could tell they had worried about me the whole two years I was with Lawrence.

To show I meant it, I promised, "From now on, I won't have anything to do with Lawrence. Please believe me."

My parents held my hands, their faces full of concern. "We'll stand behind whatever decision you make."

"Thank you." I nodded with a smile.

*****

The next few days, I cut off all contact with Lawrence.

Suddenly, I had so much more free time.

I could watch movies, have coffee with friends, go shopping, and enjoy myself—no more wasting time waiting around, blaming myself, or feeling guilty.

Sure, I used to do those things with Lawrence—eating out, watching movies, having coffee.

But every single date, he showed up late—sometimes two or three hours late.

And his excuses never changed: helping a friend, working on a project, or oversleeping.

In his world, everything came before me. I was always dead last on his list.

If I ever got upset, he would snap, "You knew what kind of person I was when you chased me. Regret it now? We can break up if you want."

He tossed around breakup threats like it was nothing, and every time, I caved.

When I bought him expensive gifts, he accused me of looking down on him for being poor. Then he'd hand my gifts off to his friends.

When I introduced him to my parents, he complained that I was trying to embarrass him for not being connected. Yet in the end, he still accepted their help.

When I tried joining his project, he mocked me in front of everyone, saying I was just a spoiled rich girl who knew nothing and would only get in the way.

But when it came to parties and drinking dinners, he never forgot to drag me along—so I could foot the bill.

Like his last birthday, when he invited more than twenty people out for a lamb dinner. I ended up spending nearly 30 thousand dollars.

But at least that was only 30 thousand dollars.

If I hadn't overheard him talking to his friends that day, I would've gone even further—I had been planning to buy him a Ferrari.

He had whined about always having to take taxis to business meetings, saying it made him look bad.

I asked what kind of car he liked, and he casually mentioned a Ferrari.

That same night, I ordered one through a friend. It was even a limited edition.

Now, that Ferrari was mine.

When I drove it to school, it turned every head.

My best friend, Nydia, hopped out of the car and leaned in close, whispering, "Shirley, this is how a rich girl is supposed to be! We all thought Lawrence had you under some spell. We were seriously about to call in a witch doctor."

I smiled and told her, "Don't worry. That won't happen again."

Right then, Lawrence and his buddies came walking our way.

I glanced at them, but he didn't even look at me.

As they passed, one of his friends joked, "So, your girlfriend gave you that new car to make up with you, huh? I thought you said you wanted a Ferrari."

Lawrence glanced at the car parked in front of the school and scoffed, "Even if she gave it to me, I wouldn't bother driving it."

His friend laughed. "Come on, man. A Ferrari is not good enough, huh? You want her to be your chauffeur?"

Lawrence lifted his chin with that smug, fake-deep look he always had.

The group burst out laughing.

Nydia shook her head, watching them walk off. "I've seen shameless people before, but this takes the cake. Good thing you're over him. Otherwise, I'd have to stop being your friend."

I shrugged. "They're just clowns. Not worth our time. Let's go."