Chapter 1

Kyle sat at the edge of the bed, scrolling mindlessly through his phone when Tara tossed hers at him without warning. "Pay this," she demanded, her tone dripping with expectation. He caught it awkwardly and glanced at the screen. His face nearly bulging out of their sockets

It was her online shopping cart, filled with luxury items—clothes, shoes, and a high-end perfume—all totaling almost his entire salary from the two part-time jobs he worked tirelessly to keep up with his tuition fees. Kyle began to sweat, as he didn't know what to say or do to the ridiculous amount he was eyeing in his front.

He hesitated, biting his lip as his eyes scanned the amount again. "Tara, I just got my paycheck, but I still need to pay my tuition. They have already given me an ultimatum. If I don't pay today, I will be out."

Tara rolled her eyes, crossing her arms in disdain. "So!? She questioned, almost screaming. "You are always broke anyway; what good will it do if you are? That will be less of a burden for you. Just pay it. Stop being so damn cheap." She said, looking at Kyle with hatred.

Tara had always wanted the best things, and it was difficult for Kyle to keep up. Her words hit harder than he expected. He had always known Tara liked the finer things in life, and he had always struggled to give her what she wanted. But hearing her dismiss his struggles so easily stung. Before he could respond, a notification lit up her phone. It was a message.

Kyle glanced down instinctively, and what he saw made his stomach drop. He looked back at Tara and said, "Last night was amazing. Can't wait to do it again."

Kyle's hands shook as his mind scrambled to make sense of what he just read. "Who sent this?" He demanded, his voice barely steady. He could feel his anger rising, but he tried to keep it down. After all, he had been suppressing himself all this while because he had loved her.

Tara's face flushed as she snatched the phone from his grip. "Mind your business, Kyle! Don't you dare snoop through my stuff!" She cursed under her breath and stormed out of the room with her phone clutched in her hand.

Shocked, Kyle scrambled after her. "Tara! Wait!" he shouted, but she was already out the front door. By the time he stepped outside, he was greeted by the sight of a luxurious black car parked at the curb.

Standing beside the car was none other than Stephen Marlowe, a classmate of Kyle's and the son of one of the wealthiest families in the city. Stephen was holding an extravagant bouquet made of cash—real, crisp bills meticulously folded into the shape of roses.

Behind him stood a row of his subordinates, each dressed sharply, their posture rigid, which exuded how important Stephen is.

Students had gathered around, whispering excitedly as they pointed in admiration. Some of the females were actually jealous of Tara.

"Isn't that Stephen Marlowe? I heard his family owns half the properties downtown," one student murmured in awe.

"Of course it's him! That is his car, and look at those bodyguards. I bet he is here to pick up his girlfriend or something," another replied in envy and admiration.

"I wish I could date someone like that. Look at him, just oozing wealth and power."

Kyle's stomach twisted as he realized who the crowd was talking about. Tara stopped short, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Stephen and the cash bouquet he was holding. The students' comments only served to deepen Kyle's unease, as it became clear just how untouchable Stephen seemed in their eyes.

"Tara, for you," Stephen said smoothly, presenting the bouquet with a cocky smile that radiated wealth and privilege. Stephen made the sight spectacular by even bending a knee with the bouquet thrust up into Tara's face.

Tara hesitated only for a moment, her expression shifting between being surprised and delightful. "Oh, Stephen, you shouldn't have," she said, her voice thick with false modesty, though her hands eagerly reached out to take the cash flowers. She beamed with a smile as she stared straight into his face, then she flashed a harder look at Kyle, who was standing looking stunned at a corner beside her.

"Just a little something," Stephen replied, stepping closer and sliding a hand around her waist with the ease of someone who was used to getting whatever he wanted.

Kyle's fists clenched at his sides. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Tara had been his girlfriend—at least, that is what he thought—until mere moments ago. Watching her accept the lavish gift from Stephen made his blood boil. But it was the intimate way Stephen was holding her that truly sent him over the edge.

"Tara! What the hell is going on?" Couldn't hold back any longer, Kyle's voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd as he approached them, his anger flaring in his chest.

Stephen barely glanced at him, his eyes flicking dismissively over Kyle's worn-out jacket and cheap shoes. "Who is this?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Tara turned towards Kyle, her expression instantly shifting from being excited to irritation. "What are you doing here, Kyle?" She snapped, her face reddening.

Kyle took a step closer, and with his trembling voice filled with hurt and rage, he questioned. "Tara, what is going on? Why are you with him? Who is this?"

Before he could finish, Tara's hand flew through the air, striking him hard across the face. The sound of the slap echoed in the stunned silence that followed. Kyle's head snapped to the side, his cheek burning, both from the physical pain and the humiliation that coursed through him.

The crowd gasped, whispers quickly rippling through the gathering.

"Tara!" Kyle shouted, his heart already racing in disbelief.

Tara's face contorted with anger and impatience. "I am not your girlfriend anymore, Kyle! Stop acting like I owe you anything. You are nothing but a broke loser!" Her words were sharp, each one cutting deeper than the last.

Kyle staggered back, speechless, as Stephen pulled Tara closer to him. "You heard her," Stephen said smugly, his arm wrapping tighter around her waist. "She is with me now."

The crowd continued to murmur, some laughing, others looking on in pity at Kyle's obvious devastation. It was a scene of public humiliation, and Kyle stood at the center of it, heartbroken and defeated.