Chapter 2

2

Back then, we’d planned to go to UCLA together. I didn't get in, and ended up going to a local state college. I was about to tell Josh when his mom showed up at my door.

“Amy, I know you didn't get into UCLA. Please, I’m begging you, don’t tell Josh. He’s crazy about you. He’ll give up UCLA to stay with you. I worked so hard to get him where he is; I can’t let you trap him in this small town.” She handed me a debit card. “There’s $5,000 in here. Consider it compensation. Let me be clear: You will never be my daughter-in-law. I won’t allow it. You'll ruin him with your love."" She was crying, practically on her knees.

I said, ""Mrs. Miller, could you give me some time to think about it?""

That night, she texted me a picture of a kitchen knife. The message read: ""If you don't break up with Josh, I'll kill myself.""

Terrified, I texted back: ""I'll do it.""

I thought breaking up with Josh would be enough, but his mother wanted me to play a role. The scene was set at the airport, the day Josh was leaving for UCLA. Holding the debit card, I said, ""Your mom gave me $50,000. We’re done.""

Josh laughed, stroking my hair. “Very funny. Come on, we’re going to miss our flight.”

I pulled away, my face cold. “I’m not joking. I’m not going to UCLA with you. Your mother gave me $50,000. That’s years of work I don't have to do now. Thanks to you, I’m set.”

His laughter died, replaced by tears. He grabbed my hands, panicked, like a child caught doing something wrong. ""Amy, what did I do wrong? Tell me, I'll fix it!""

His mother appeared and pried his hands off me. “She doesn’t love you, Josh! Can’t you see? She’s a gold digger!”

""She's not!"" Josh yelled at his mom, then turned to me, his eyes red and pleading. “Amy, please don’t leave me.” He kept repeating it over and over, his eyes searching mine. When he saw I wasn't reacting, he dropped to his knees. People at the airport started staring and whispering. He crawled towards me, clutching my clothes, desperate. ""Amy, I’ll make so much money for you someday. Please, don't break up with me.”

I’d never seen him so broken, begging like he had nothing left. I knew if I stayed there any longer, I’d cave. I pushed him away, shoved the card back into his mother’s pocket, and said, ""I love money more than you.""

I walked away, the sound of Josh’s heartbroken sobs echoing behind me: “I’ll make so much money for you! Please, don’t leave me!”