I Dumped My Poor Boyfriend, Became Rich—He Said Regrets Chapter 08

I Dumped My Poor Boyfriend, Became Rich—He Said Regrets Chapter 08

I left with Chad.

He kept the car windows rolled up tightly, chain-smoking one cigarette after another until the cabin was thick

with toxic grey haze. I couldn’t stop coughing.

Chad and I went way back. Before my family went under, he had pursued me ruthlessly, but my heart was entirely set on Ethan, so I rejected him every single time. Then, last week, he tracked me down. Chad told me

that if I married him, he’d clear every cent of my family’s remaining debt.

I asked him why.

He had laughed, an arrogant, self-satisfied sound. “I want to prove you picked the wrong guy back then. The

only one who can save you now is me. That charity case you loved? He’s nothing but an anchor around your

neck.”

Ah. He didn’t want a wife. He wanted to satisfy his own twisted savior complex. He wanted to win a game

he’d been losing for years.

Tonight, I had only called him out of sheer desperation, needing a quick excuse to escape Ethan’s penthouse. I never expected him to actually show up at the door.

“Why did you tell him you’re my fiancé?” I asked coldly.

“What’s the difference? We’re going to get married anyway.”

“I haven’t agreed to anything, Chad.”

“Do you really think you have options, Princess?” Chad sneered, not taking his eyes off the road. “Wake up. You’re drowning in debt. Whoever takes you on is taking on a massive financial disaster. Who else is going to step up? That guy from tonight?”

Chad let out a mocking grunt. “He’s that same poor bastard from college, right? Let me tell you something, Veronica-he’s only back to rub your nose in the dirt. You used to hold all the cards, and now that you’re bleeding out on the street, he’s probably laughing himself to sleep.”

“That is none of your business!”

“Of course it is. He stole my girl back then. It’s time I take a little wind out of his sails.”

“Chad, I am not a prize to be won! I said no to you years ago, and my answer is still no!”

I slammed the door open at a red light and stepped out. Chad didn’t even bother to follow me.

“Is it really your choice, Veronica?” his voice drifted out from the window. “Think about your family.”

His smug, entitled face brought back an ugly rush of memories. The people who used to spread rumors about Ethan, the ones who mocked him in the hallways… they looked exactly like Chad. Did Ethan think I was just like them?

Word of my return quickly tore through our old college networks, along with the bloody details of my family’s

bankruptcy.

Avery, my old sorority sister, managed to track down my new number. She was getting married and asked if

I’d still honor our old pact to be her maid of honor.

On the day of the wedding, the estate was packed with familiar faces from Crestview. I slowly added

everyone back on iMessage, forcing myself to smile through the small talk. Avery looked stunning in her

white gown, but her eyes swelled with tears when she saw me.

“V, I always thought you’d be the first one of us to walk down the aisle.”

“Well, if I got married first, who would be your maid of honor?” I joked lightly.

“Don’t play with me! Four years, Veronica. Completely off the grid. I was furious with you!”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, squeezing her hands. “I’m back for good now. I’ll make it up to you.”

Avery’s expression softened into deep concern. “Why did you have to vanish like that? If you were struggling,

you should’ve just told us. We would’ve helped.”

I stared down at the tips of my shoes. For the first time in four years, I let the truth slip past my teeth.

“I’d never faced failure before, Avery. My entire world crumbled in a single afternoon. I didn’t know how to

handle the looks. Even the pity felt like acid on my skin. So, in a moment of pure panic… I burned every

bridge and erased myself.”

Avery let out a heavy sigh. “Ethan went completely insane looking for you.”

My heart stopped. “What?”