Chapter 3

3.

She excitedly unfolded the paper, offering it to me like a precious treasure.

Instead of taking it gently to admire it as I always did, I took a step back and studied her.

I had to admit, even in cheap clothes with dirt smudged on her cheeks, Yvette looked naturally aristocratic.

The first time I saw her was on a rainy night after my shift.

Soaked to the bone, she was shivering in a dark alley like an abandoned kitten.

Her large eyes were bright yet empty, her delicate face covered in grime, radiating vulnerability.

Even back then, I felt she didn't belong on the streets.

I tried to take her to the police station, but she panicked and struggled violently as soon as we got close.

That terrified, helpless gaze reminded me so much of myself when I lost my parents as a boy.

In a moment of weakness, my heart softened, and I took her home.

Perhaps, from the very beginning, that was a terrible mistake.

If I hadn't let my soft heart take over, this cruel game would have never begun.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Drop the act, Yvette. I know you're not dumb.”

Her smile faltered for a second. She tilted her head, giving me a confused look.

“Chasey, Evie is hungry. Did you buy the sweet cupcake?”

Disgust churned inside me. I was done playing along.

“I know you're the heiress of the Croft family from Chicago.”

Yvette froze. The innocent smile slowly vanished from her face.

The drawing slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the floor.

“Chasey, what are you talking about? Evie doesn't understand…”

I walked over, picked up the paper, and glanced at it. It was a crude crayon sketch of a family portrait.

The “me” in the picture wore an oversized suit with a goofy grin, while she wore a princess dress, leaning against me.

It felt so sick and ironic. The drawing was just like our relationship: fake and pathetic.

I tossed the drawing right at her feet. “You don't understand?”

“Did you understand the things you were bragging about to your friends at the luxury boutique?”

Yvette’s face instantly drained of all color, her expression twisting in panic.

I waved my hand in defeat. “Just leave. I'm canceling the wedding this weekend.”

Panic flared in her eyes. “Chase, I didn't want to lie to you… but I…”

“So what?” I interrupted coldly. “Did the rich girl win her little game now?”

She bit her lower lip, tears welling up in her eyes. “Chase, do you think I wanted this?”

“My whole life, every single person who came near me only wanted my family's money!”

“I just wanted to test if pure, unconditional love actually existed…”

“You're talking to me about love? What was I to you?”

“You played with my heart, treated my devotion like a punchline, and now you want to lecture me about love?”

Her expression hardened into a cold mask. “Chase, you think I enjoyed living like this? You think I loved struggling in this dump?”

“Then why did you keep lying to me?”

I stood up and pointed toward the door. “Get out! I never want to see your face again!”

She took a sharp breath, her eyes turning stubborn and sharp.

“Fine. I'll leave. But Chase, one day you will regret this! You will regret treating me like this today!”

With that, she turned around and walked out without looking back.

I closed my eyes, a sharp agony tearing through my chest like a serrated blade.