Chapter 3

She never replied, not even once.

Alex kept staring at the chat box, lost in indecision.

He was so absorbed that he didn't even notice I was there, or how much I was shaking.

Finally, Alex sent another message: [Are you worried about Emily? She and I are from different worlds now. After tomorrow, we'll never see each other again.]

She replied instantly: [Really? You're a celebrity now, and you're just going to dump Emily? Won't people call me the homewrecker and tear me apart?]

Alex: [As long as we're happy, who cares what anyone else thinks? Besides, Emily's dumb as a rock. I'll just break up with her nicely. She'll just cry and run back to her hometown. She won't stir up any drama.]

My jaw started to tremble, and my sadness turned into anger.

'So you treat me like this just because you think I'm stupid?' I thought.

Golden Cat: [Honestly, I've always liked you. Back in college, I wanted to say yes, but my family insisted the guy had to own a place here, and that really put me in a tough spot.]

Alex: [Don't worry, my dad already bought me a villa. We can live there together!]

Alex's face lit up with excitement he just couldn't hide, the kind of joy only a man who's finally made it can show.

I finally understood. She was Alex's first love, the girl he'd always dreamed about back in college.

Her name was Claire Lyons, born into money, and compared to her, I was just a small-town orphan. How could I ever compete?

Alex had mentioned her before, always in a distant tone, like he didn't care anymore, as if he'd already moved on.

But who would've thought he'd kept her contact all this time, and the very first person he reached out to after striking it rich was her?

Turns out, guys never really get over their first love, the one they can't forget.

Tears streamed down my face, but I stubbornly wiped them away, refusing to let myself break down again.

My movement startled Alex.

He whipped his head around, looking like he'd just seen a ghost.

I sat up, switched on the light, and used a tissue to wipe my nose.

Alex froze, his face going pale and then flushing red, and after what felt like forever, he finally asked, "Emily, did you see everything?"

"Yeah, I saw it all," I replied, forcing a bitter smile as I nodded.

His expression flickered between embarrassment and anger, then he stood up.

"I'm sorry. Now that you know, there's nothing left to say," he muttered, pulling on his clothes and falling silent.

He was such a typical guy, turning guilt into anger, then acting like he didn't care at all.

All those emotions flipped in a split second.

"Aren't you going to explain yourself?" I stared at him, like he was someone I couldn't stand to be around.

I'd never looked at him like that before.

His indifference turned into embarrassment, and he suddenly snapped, "Explain what? People always want to move up in life, that's just how it is. I finally made it here. Do you really expect me to go back?"

"I don't want you to go back, but you could take me with you," I said.

After five years together, don't I deserve a shot at making it to the top with you?

Alex pressed his lips together, his voice icy. "My parents said they don't want some orphan from nowhere as their daughter-in-law. I can't change their minds."

"But your parents said anyone you love is fine. I saw them say it in an interview online," I fired back.

Alex's anger boiled over and he kicked the wardrobe hard.

"That's enough! Isn't this all about you wanting to marry up and get rich? Gold-digger!" he snapped, glaring at me like his eyes were knives.

I was left speechless. So that's how he really saw me.

If I was really after money, I would've ditched him ages ago, could've jumped into some guy's fancy car and left him eating dust on his scooter.

I could've just gone along with the landlord's plan and married his nephew with a storefront.

But I never did any of that. I didn't even mention it to Alex, afraid he'd get upset.

"What, nothing to say now? I exposed your true intentions, didn't I?" Alex said, smug as hell, not a hint of guilt left in him.

I shot back with a sneer, "Who's really been exposed here? You know exactly who."

He exploded, jabbing his finger at the door. "Shut up! I was trying to let you leave with your pride intact. But if you want to make a scene, then get out! And don't forget, this place is mine, I'm the one paying the rent!"