Late at night, I saw a post on my boyfriend’s phone:
“What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done with your girlfriend?”
Without even thinking, a few memories came rushing in.
Like six months ago, the two of us sneaking into a midnight movie theater…
Or that time two months ago, on a deserted beach under the stars….
Maybe even just last night-
When a crowd was buzzing downstairs and he had me pinned against the balcony railing…
But none of that compared to what I saw next.
His reply was:
“To get revenge for my first love, I’ve pretended to be broke in front of my girlfriend for five years, hiding the fact that I’m actually heir to a billion–dollar fortune.”
“She’s working five jobs just to scrape by, while my daily allowance could pay off her entire year’s rent.”
“And she still has no idea–this whole thing was just a game to me.”
Three final words:
“So damn thrilling.”
When I saw that post, Sebastian Kane had just fallen asleep beside me.
Even in his sleep, his arms stayed locked around my waist like he was terrified I’d disappear.
He used to tell me we were the same–two orphans with no family, no safety net, just trying to survive in this glittering, brutal city.
After college, we couldn’t even afford a 200–square–foot apartment.
We lived in a basement with moldy walls and no sunlight.
But he never complained.
He never talked about leaving.
He once said, “You’re the only person I ever want to spend my life with, Elara.”
11:57
M….
Chapter 1
Even just an hour ago, he was on top of me, kissing me like I was the only thing that mattered.
His voice whispering over and over again:
“Elara, I love you..”
And now I’m lying here, staring at that handsome facé, suddenly cold to my care.
What did he mean, just a game?
What the hell did he mean by revenge for his first love?
Who even is his first love?
A thousand questions hit me all at once.
And along with them, this rising panic I couldn’t hold back.
I wanted to shake him awake.
I wanted answers.
But right then, another message popped up on his phone.
“Sebastian, Isolde’s back in the States.”
“See you tonight, usual spot.”
Isolde?
Usual spot?
My palms started sweating.
I tried to open my mouth, but my eyes were stuck on the chat history.
“Sebastian, don’t tell me you actually caught feelings for that ugly duckling?”
“Come on. As if I ever would.”
Just thinking she might be pregnant with my kid makes me wanna puke.”
My throat clenched.
Even swallowing burned.
I’d been with Sebastian for five years.
And for five years, he insisted on using protection every single time.
I loved him.
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Chapter 1
We didn’t have much money, so I even offered to stop using it, to save us both the hassle.
But he always said no.
Always.
He told me:
“Elara, having a baby is painful.”
“I’d rather never be a dad than see you suffer.” .
I believed him.
So I never brought it up again.
But now I know-
It was never about protecting me.
He was protecting his perfect, untouched, millionaire life.
The tears came before I could stop them.
And when they hit the pillow, Sebastian stirred awake.
“Elara?”
I wiped them away fast, shoved his phone under the blanket, and forced a smile.
“You’re up.”
He blinked at me, saw the tears, and instantly panicked.
“Elara, baby–are you okay? Did I hurt you?”
“I’ll get the painkillers, just stay right there.”
He jumped out of bed, rushed into the living room.
I just lay there, watching his back disappear down the hall.
Funny, isn’t it?
How much he seems to care.
I’m an orphan.
Quiet.
Introverted.
Chapter 1
I’ve got a scar across my face from an accident I never talk about.
If life were a test, I wouldn’t even get a passing grade.
But somehow, I got lucky.
I met Sebastian.
He put me first.
Always.
We didn’t have much.
But I thought we had love.
Real love.
Enough to stitch me back together.
Enough to make me feel alive again.
And if I hadn’t read those messages tonight, I might’ve gone on believing it.
Sebastian came back a few minutes later.
He had the first aid kit in one hand–and a warm glass of water in the other, because he knew I’d be thirsty after crying.
Before, those little gestures used to melt me.
Now, they just made me sick.
I pushed his hand away and said quietly,
“Your phone buzzed just now. Someone texted you.”
He froze.
His expression twitched.
“Oh? Probably work stuff. Did you see it?”
His voice was too light.
His eyes too sharp.
He was trying to read me.
Trying to see if I knew.
11:57
! Chapter 1
My chest tightened.
But I forced a shrug
“No. Just heard the sound.”
He let out a relieved breath, tossed the kit aside, and grabbed his phone.
The moment his screen lit up, his eyes did too.
Lit up like fireworks.
Like he couldn’t hide it.
It burned.
God, it burned.
“Elara, something came up.”
“I’ve gotta head out. Don’t wait up, okay?”
I didn’t argue.
Didn’t say a word.
I just slipped out of bed after him.
Like a ghost.
Trailing his shadow.
Because Sebastian Kane-
I need to know.
What the hell are you hiding from me?
11:57
