A lapdog?
The word cut deeper than a knife. Around me, I felt the mocking eyes of the crowd, full of contempt.
So that’s what they thought of me? Evelyn Carter’s obedient little pet?
But I wasn’t one.
Evelyn and I met during a student club activity in my sophomore year. I’d just finished a grueling basketball game, was starving, and stole a pack of chips from my roommate. He cursed me out and told me to call him “godfather” if I wanted to eat his food.
I didn’t even take the joke seriously, but he actually did it, humiliating himself in front of everyone.
That was when Evelyn stepped forward, sharp and fearless, telling me not to bully people just because they were broke—and not to steal food either.
She had that “big sister” vibe, always trying to play fair.
So I leaned into it, pretended to be a pitiful poor boy, pestering her every day until she finally softened. Before long, we were together, and the whole school whispered that I was her kept man.
The rumor stung. I didn’t want her to feel embarrassed, so I told her the truth—that my family wasn’t poor at all. But she just shrugged, as if it didn’t matter.
We were together for four years. No dramatic fights, no big betrayals—just raw, passionate love.
So how could she suddenly throw me away?
I looked at Evelyn on stage, and my chest burned with the need for answers. I started toward her, but before I could reach her, Marco Ramirez blocked my path.
He was so short he had to crane his neck to glare up at me. I actually had to dip my head just to meet his eyes.
“You’re still here?” He sneered, puffing up his chest. Then he jumped, trying to slap me across the face.
I stepped back, frowning, and looked past him. “Evelyn… you broke up with me just to marry this clown?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Before I could react, Evelyn stepped forward and slapped me hard across the cheek.
When Marco swung, I dodged. But when Evelyn struck me, I didn’t move. I was terrified that if I dodged, she’d stumble in those high heels and fall.
She was about to be married, and I was still protecting her. Was I really this pathetic?
Touching my stinging cheek, I felt grief rise like a tide.
Marco smirked, stepping closer, his oily face twisted with contempt.
“So you’re Evelyn’s boyfriend from college, huh? A boy toy playing above his station? Do you even know who I am? I’m Marco Ramirez, heir to the wealthiest family in Charleston.”
I ignored him, my eyes locked on Evelyn. “Leaving without a word—that’s not fair to me.”
“Fair?”
Her tone was ice. “I’ve given you a villa, a car, and millions in savings. What else do you want?”
“Stop this, Nicholas. We’re done!”
Evelyn’s brows furrowed, her lips trembling slightly. “You know as well as I do—families like mine keep love and marriage separate. Thank you for being by my side for four years, but my husband can only be Marco. Do you understand?”
“I’m only asking you one thing.”
My voice was quiet, but steady. “Do you love me?”
I knew how these dynastic marriages worked. My parents had been bound by one, but they had grown up together, fallen in love naturally, and luck had been on their side.
As for me…
I could have had the same fate if I had wanted. My family’s standing in New York’s elite circles was more than secure. I didn’t need to marry for advantage.
“Love?” Evelyn sneered.
“Stop deluding yourself, Nicholas. I’ve known since I was a child that I would be married off. I never believed in love. I was with you because you were handsome… and poor enough to be easy to control.”
Her words were dagger, cold and merciless.
“Now you know the truth you wanted. Leave.”
