Part 2Hidden Assets

Yeah, nobody respects a gold digger.

But I wasn't one.

Julian and I met at a club fair freshman year. I had just finished Muay Thai practice and was starving, so I stole some snacks from my roommate. My roommate roasted me and jokingly told me to call her "Mommy" as punishment.

We were just messing around, so I actually did it.

Julian stepped in to defend me. He lectured her, saying she shouldn't bully people just because they were poor, and then lectured me about stealing food.

He was always like that—a gentleman, obsessed with fairness.

So, I played the part. I pretended to be poor and pitiful, clinging to him until we started dating. The whole school thought he was my "Sugar Daddy."

People called me a gold digger. I was afraid he’d lose face, so I told him my family was actually wealthy. He didn't seem to care either way.

We didn't have a dramatic love story, just four years of honey-sweet stability. We barely ever fought.

That’s why I couldn't accept this sudden breakup.

I walked toward the stage.

Before I could speak, the woman blocked my path. She was so short I had to look down to make eye contact.

"You have the nerve to come up here?" She jumped up, trying to slap me.

I dodged easily, frowning. I looked at Julian. "You broke up with me to marry this?"

"Shut your mouth!"

Julian rushed forward and slapped me across the face.

I dodged the woman, but I didn't dodge Julian.

He had been sick recently; I was afraid if I moved, he’d lose his balance and fall.

He was marrying someone else, and I was still worrying about him. I was pathetic.

I touched my stinging cheek, looking at him with pure sorrow.

"You're Julian's college fling?" The woman walked over, sneering. "A money-grubbing slut daring to act tough in front of me? Do you know who I am? I'm Tiffany Gore. The Gore family owns this city!"

I ignored Tiffany and kept my eyes on Julian. "Leaving without a word? That’s not fair to me."

"Fair?" Julian scoffed. "I gave you the villa, the Bentley, the cash. What more do you want?"

"Stop making a scene, Vivian. We’re done." He frowned deep. "You know people from families like mine... marriage is business. Thank you for the four years, but my wife can only be Tiffany Gore. Do you understand?"

"I just want to know one thing. Do you love me?" I asked.

I knew about arranged marriages. My parents had one, but they were lucky—childhood sweethearts who actually fell in love.

As for me... I was supposed to have an arranged marriage, too. But my family’s status in the Capital was so high we didn't actually need to merge with anyone to maintain power.

"Love?" Julian laughed darkly. "Grow up, Vivian. I knew since I was a kid I’d be sold off in a marriage merger. I don't believe in love."

"I dated you because you were pretty, poor, and easy to control." He sneered. "Okay, you got your answer. Now get out."

So, everything I thought was love was just a delusion?