Chapter 1

It took Millie Beck ten years to go from selling stuff on the street to becoming a hotshot in the investment world.

I was right there with her for ten years.

Back when I was at my lowest, I swallowed my pride and begged my mom, who'd abandoned her family, for six dollars to buy some food.

When Millie gave me that sympathetic look, I said, "Hey, when the company lands on Nakdas, can you bring me along too?"

She said yes.

Later, when the company was at its peak, I brought it up again.

Millie didn't even bother to look up. "I'm really busy right now. Let's talk about it later."

So I dropped it.

Until one day, I came across a short video while scrolling. It was about Millie's company going public.

There was a ten-second countdown, fireworks exploding everywhere, and a bold declaration echoing across the stage.

She'd told me she was away on a business trip, but there she was at Nakdas, and the person standing beside her wasn't me.

It was Caleb Stanton, my half-brother.

Millie was holding his hand as they rang the bell together, sealing the moment I thought would be ours.

As the fireworks exploded across the screen, she gave Caleb a gentle hug.

It was tender, but she held back her emotions.

Millie said, "Thank you for being here to witness my most important moment. I'm so happy."

Caleb returned her hug. "Me too."

I turned off my phone, smiled, and went shopping and cooking as usual.

After I finished eating, I sent Millie a text: [Got seven dollars?]

She didn't ask why. She just sent me 7,000 dollars, no questions asked.

I kept seven dollars and sent back 6,993 dollars.

I replied with two words: [Too much.]

Then I sent the money to my mom, finally closing that chapter.

Ten years ago, I gave up my pride and dignity for seven dollars.

Ten years later, she used seven dollars to close the book on us. Our feelings and future were gone.

Her Nakdas moment didn't include me.

In my world, she was gone too.

*****

"Still up?" At ten o'clock, the door suddenly burst open. It was Millie.

She was dragging a light green suitcase, still wearing the suit she had on in the video.

I didn't get up like I usually would. Instead, I slouched on the couch and didn't even look up at her.

I tossed out something nonchalant, barely caring. "I was waiting for you."

She walked over, pausing mid-motion as she took off her necklace.

Millie shrugged. "Why bother waiting? We're pretty much like an old married couple already."

I pointed out, "We're not married yet."

"It's just a matter of time," she said.

As she spoke, her perfume hit me. It was a crisp, pine scent.

It wasn't my scent on her.

I smiled. "Millie, would you still marry me?"

I was curious.

"Obviously," she replied.

After telling another man she was happy, she still had the nerve to say she wanted to marry me.

But I didn't want to anymore.

Millie slipped off her suit jacket and flung it onto the couch.

"I need to deal with the jet lag. You go ahead and get some sleep," she said.

"Sure," I replied.

I got up and went straight to the bedroom.

She watched me walk away, pausing in surprise.

I bet she was wondering why I suddenly seemed so different tonight.

Normally, no matter how late it got, I'd always have a glass of water waiting for Millie.

There was usually a bowl of tomato soup cooking in the kitchen.

It was soothing, good for her stomach, and helped her relax.

I'd even follow her around like her personal maid, picking up every piece of clothing she tossed aside.

And I'd always be complaining about how eggs cost more now, or how the veggies were getting smaller, just the usual everyday stuff.

But tonight, I didn't do any of that. I didn't say a word.

After a bit, Millie knocked on my bedroom door.

"Hey, how do you cook tomato soup?" she asked.

I replied, "Cook down some tomatoes with onions, garlic, and broth for about an hour. Blend everything until silky."

In the dark, she came over and sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to check my forehead.

"You're not running a fever. What's going on with you tonight?" she asked.

I brushed her hand away.

"Millie, where did you go on your business trip this time?" I asked.

Millie paused, her voice calm. "Kliwood. Just went to check out Nakdas for a bit."

She didn't lie, but she didn't tell the whole truth either.

When did she get so good at lying to me?

The doorbell suddenly went off.

Millie furrowed her brow, tucked the blanket around me, and gave me a soothing look.

"You get some rest. I'll go see who it is," she said.

She walked out of the bedroom and went to answer the door.

"What are you doing here?" Millie said, her voice tinged with surprise and delight.

I got up and stepped out of the bedroom, only to see Caleb standing there.

He was at the door, flashing that confident, good-looking grin as he did at Nakdas.

"Millie, that's my suitcase. You grabbed the wrong one," he said.

I looked at the suitcase. The color, style, and brand matched.

Caleb spotted me and raised an eyebrow.

He gave a cheerful wave, grinning wide.

"Oh, you're here too! My bad, I shouldn't be interrupting you and Millie right now," Caleb said.

I didn't say a word.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Millie rolling a suitcase out of the guest room.

She'd already slipped her suit jacket back on and was holding her car keys, ready to head out.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"I'm a little hungry. I'm seeing Caleb off downstairs, and maybe we'll grab a bite together," she replied.

"You two—" I started to ask.

Millie already had her answer lined up. "Don't get the wrong idea. We just happened to be on the same flight. He's your brother, isn't he? I hitched a ride with him. It's safer that way."