Chapter 2

Ryan’s cruel words cut through me like glass, and tears slid down my cheeks before I could stop them.

So that was it? From the very beginning, he’d only been playing with me.

Then what were the last two years? A joke? Was everything I gave him nothing but fuel for his amusement?

He had told me his parents were farmers, barely scraping by.

He said he’d spent college tutoring kids and working odd jobs to cover rent, while his tuition was all loans he’d be paying off for years. He claimed he couldn’t afford to treat me the way he wanted.

And I believed him. I pitied him. I loved him.

So I became the “understanding” girlfriend.

My own family wasn’t wealthy, so instead of asking my parents for help, I worked every spare hour I had.

I paid for our dates. I slipped him with money for meals and clothes. His phone? His laptop? I bought them both.

From freshman year until now, I’d earned almost fifteen thousand dollars in part-time jobs. Every cent went to him.

I told myself it was worth it. He’d graduate, get a real paycheck, and together with my delivery job we’d save enough for a down payment.

My roommates joked that I was basically Ryan’s “nanny.” I laughed along, proud of how much I was doing for him, never realizing how pathetic I looked.

Looking back now, what did I really get? A few sweet promises. Empty words. Nothing else.

The truth was, Ryan had just been sitting back, enjoying the show of my devotion. I was the only one acting in our “love story.”

The realization hit me so hard I could barely breathe. Shaken, I stumbled back to my van, wanting nothing more than to escape.

But a figure suddenly stepped into my path, blocking me.

I froze. It was Tiffany Lawson—Ryan’s so-called “little sister.”

Before I could react, she snatched my keys from the ignition, arms crossed as she sneered.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Sophie Carter. What’s the matter, reduced to delivering packages now?”

Her eyes raked me up and down like I was a piece of dirt.

I rolled my eyes. “What’s it to you? Give me back my keys.”

Tiffany’s laugh was sharp and mocking.

“Sophie, this is a private neighborhood. No delivery vans allowed. And guess what—you just ran over some rare flowers. That’ll be twenty grand in damages.”

As she spoke, she flicked a glance at the guard behind her.

The man stepped forward, smirking. “Come with me to the property office. You delivery people are all the same—sneaking in here like thieves. This place isn’t for your kind.”

My stomach twisted in rage. There were no signs saying deliveries weren’t allowed. I’d seen other drivers coming and going freely. And I hadn’t even gone near the flower beds!

This wasn’t about rules. This was bullying.

“You’re lying, Tiffany,” I snapped. “You let me in, and now you want a scapegoat? You don’t get to take my keys.”

I lunged and managed to snatch them back. Heart pounding, I twisted the throttle to speed away—

But Tiffany yanked the handlebars. The van tipped, and I went crashing to the ground.

The bike landed on my leg, crushing it. Packages spilled everywhere, scattering across the road.

Before I could even push myself up, Tiffany’s hand cracked across my face.

“You think you can run? Forget it! Until you pay up, you’re not leaving this gate!”

The slap was brutal. Pain seared across my cheek, my ear ringing, my vision flashing with tiny stars.

Who did she think she was? What gave her the right?

Fury roared up in me. I shoved myself up, shouting hoarsely, “What is your problem?!”

I knew Tiffany had never liked me, but in front of Ryan she’d only dared to throw a few snide remarks. Now, without him here, she wasn’t even pretending anymore.

And sure enough, she smirked, full of smugness.

“Don’t blame me for being harsh, Sophie. I’ll give you two choices—pay up, or get on your knees and beg. Do that, and maybe I’ll let you off.”