Chapter 2
I never planned to contact my grandfather again. When Mom was sick, his family turned their backs on us without lifting a finger. That day, I promised myself to sever that
connection permanently.
But now, I just needed any excuse to get far away from here, from everything.
Over the next few days, I didn’t go to the hospital. I just quietly packed my bags.
Each “gift” from Parker revealed another layer of his deception–a faded scarf, a hair clip with chipping paint, knockoff shoes coming apart at the seams. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. He’s really dedicated to hunt down the cheapest possible trinkets to maintain his struggling boyfriend facade.
The door swung open. When Parker walked in, that familiar cologne hit me first. Looking back, that designer fragrance probably cost more than my monthly rent. Not exactly what someone working “odd jobs to make ends meet” would splurge on.
“Scarlett, baby…” He wrapped his arms around me while I stood frozen.
“Why weren’t you there for my surgery? Where have you been?” He nuzzled my hair with practiced puppy–dog eyes.
Fighting back the storm of emotions, I mumbled, “Working. Couldn’t get away.‘
He released me, scanning the bare walls. “What happened to our photos?”
“Took them down,” I said, meeting his gaze directly. “Landlord’s new rule about wall
decorations.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out two cruise tickets.
“Give you a birthday surprise. A coworker hooked me up with these. Let’s go together.”
I bit my lip so hard I nearly drew blood, my chest tight with anger. After what felt like forever, I managed a weak “Okay.”
The moment the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the couch. My hand brushed
ize Queen
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Chapter 2
against something cold–his phone, forgotten in his haste.
When the screen lit up, I saw his pinned conversations:
[Rachel: Make sure the video is edited perfectly for the birthday projection on the main
deck]
[Bro 1: Get close–ups of her breakdown]
[Bro 2: Why’s Parker so quiet? Getting soft?]
No password protection. With trembling hands, I found the videos and permanently deleted every last one.
Footsteps approached the door again. I rushed to the kitchen.
“Babe? Left my phone somewhere…” his voice called out.
From the kitchen, I took a deep breath. “Really? Better find it.” My voice sounded eerily
calm, even to my own ears.
“Found it!” He waved the phone as he appeared in the kitchen doorway, then frowned. “You
look like shit. Everything okay?”
“Onions,” I turned away. “Better hurry or you’ll be late for work.”
As the door closed behind him, the tears I’d been holding back finally spilled down my
cheeks.
The next day, I went to quit my bartending job, but my manager begged me to cover one
last shift.
Pushing open the VIP room door, I froze in my tracks.
Rachel sat in the center of the leather couch wearing a Chanel outfit that probably cost more than my yearly rent. She was back from abroad. Surrounding her was the same crew
from the hospital, including Bleach–hair.
“OMG, if it isn’t my scholarship thief!” Rachel’s eyes lit up with cruel excitement when she spotted me. “What’s wrong? So broke you’re serving drinks now?”
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From Abandoning Him to Becoming an Empire Queen
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Just then, the inner door opened, Parker walked out and saw me, his face instantly draining
of color.
Panic flashed across his features before he scrambled for a lie, “I’m, uh… just here selling
credit cards…”
Muffled snickers erupted around the room as everyone watched the show unfold.
How had I ever fallen for such terrible acting?
I stepped forward with my tray when someone deliberately stuck out their foot. I went flying, bottles shattering, alcohol splashing all over Rachel’s skirt.
“My dress!” Rachel shrieked, jumping up as her perfectly made–up face contorted in rage.
“It’s limited edition!”
Bleach–hair spotted me and his face lit up with malicious delight. “You ruined Miss Rachel’s dress Apologize. Now.”
I bit down hard on my lip. “I’m sorry, Miss Rachel.”
“That’s it?” Rachel suddenly pulled out a thick stack of hundred–dollar bills from her Hermès bag and tossed them into the air.
Green currency fluttered to the floor like toxic confetti.
“Get on your knees, pick up every single bill, and bark like the dog you are. Maybe I’ll
forgive you.”
