And honestly, who could blame them?
I was just a dancer in a Midtown company.
And he? He was Wall Street’s new rising star–money, influence, future so bright it hurt to look at.
Maybe that’s why he went out of his way to make me feel secure.
He even took me to meet his parents.
His mom was warm, smiling, arms open the second we walked through the door.
“Christian works non–stop. He’s how old now, and not one girl in sight!”
“Eve, thank God you showed up–we were starting to panic!”
“And he told me not to give you a hard time.”
“As if I would! Sweetheart, if he ever messes with you, you just come straight to me.”
“Tll deal with him.”
I was overwhelmed–grateful, happy, like my heart couldn’t hold any more.
I thought, Wow, this man… he really loves me.
That night, wrapped in his arms, he kissed my forehead and made a promise.
A forever kind of promise.
Back then, I believed it.
I really believed we were unbreakable.
But now?
Five years later, I watched him kiss another woman like she was oxygen.
He called me boring.
13:17
Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade!
45.79%
Chapter
Said he loved her more.
Turns out, hearts don’t break overnight–they flip like a switch.
People change. Just like that.
The party finally ended, and Christian drove us back to the house in the Hamptons.
Same routine as always–I showered, and he was drying my hair for me.
“Babe, I need to take care of something for work.”
“Just a quick thing, alright? You go ahead and get some sleep.”
I grabbed his wrist, stopping the blow–dryer mid–air, and looked up at him.
“Can you not go? It’s my birthday. Can’t you just… stay and finish it with me?”
He turned the dryer off, pulled me into his lap, and ran his fingers through my hair like everything was
fine.
“Be good. I’ll be back before you know it, alright?”
I dropped my gaze, tried to swallow the ache in my chest.
“…Okay.”
But my voice cracked–and it gave me away.
He smiled like I was being cute, kissed my cheek, tried to cuddle me closer.
I pulled back.
He thought I was just pouting.
He didn’t know I already knew.
He left the house making promise after promise, said he wouldn’t be long.
I followed him. Quietly.
Drove behind his car all the way to the outskirts of Montauk, where he stopped in front of another beach house.
13:18
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Ditched My Toxic Duo for a Billionaire Upgrade