My Boyfriend of Six Years Gave My Dowry to Another Girl Chapter 01

My Boyfriend of Six Years Gave My Dowry to Another Girl Chapter 01

On the narrow, rickety bed in our cramped rental, Brennan Keene was rougher than he’d ever been.

He leaned close to my ear, his voice hoarse.

“Maren Wrenford, I’m getting married.”

My body jolted. Brennan gripped my jaw.

“Don’t move.”

He chuckled softly.

“Want the truth? She asked for a lot less than you did. She hasn’t slept with anyone, and she just graduated college.”

I stared at him without a word. Brennan sighed.

“Fine. The truth is, I don’t love you anymore.”

***

I pushed him off me.

“You really think this is the time to tell me that?”

Brennan looked annoyed at being interrupted, and whatever interest he had left vanished. He climbed off me and went into the bathroom.

I found my clothes and pulled my slip dress back on. His phone lit up on the bed.

[Babe, what should I wear for our courthouse wedding? The pleated miniskirt or the white thigh-high stockings?]

I was still staring at the message when Brennan came up behind me, fresh from the shower. His damp skin pressed against my back as he leaned close.

“Text her back for me. Tell her to wear the white thigh-high stockings.”

Then he kissed my cheek.

“I may hate you, but I love your body. I figured I’d keep you around for another couple of years, but she asked for so little.”

I smoothed down my slip dress and stood on unsteady legs.

“How much did she ask for?”

Brennan lit a cigarette.

“Twenty thousand. I finally saved it.”

He’d saved it.

I drew a long breath and shoved open the tiny ground-level window, the only one in the room.

We’d been together for six years. I’d asked him to save twenty thousand dollars before we married, his contribution toward our wedding and future home.

That was why we’d spent years in this cramped basement studio.

The place was damp, and its only window was a narrow strip near the ceiling.

Only last month, Brennan had told me he was almost there and that we’d finally be able to marry soon.

“How long have you known her?”

I turned as Brennan checked his watch and began counting down.

“Five, four, three, two, one.”

He looked up with a smile.

“Exactly one day.”

I laughed without humor and reached into my purse for my lipstick.

Brennan leaned against the bed, making the cheap frame creak.

“Wondering why the money I saved for our future is going to someone else?”

He met my eyes in the mirror.

“If you were paying the same price, would you buy something that had been used for six years or something brand-new?”

“Take a gaming rig. After six years, it’s dirty and outdated, even if the graphics card still holds up. Why would anyone pay full price for it?”

He raised an eyebrow.

“You tell me.”

I finished touching up my lipstick and turned to face him.

“I told you, the money was never the point. I just wanted to know you were serious about building a future with me. My parents had already offered to pay for the wedding and help us buy a house. I wasn’t after your money.”

Brennan laughed.

“Do you even hear yourself? If you don’t care about money, fine. Marry me without asking for a dime.”

He pulled two bank-wrapped stacks of hundred-dollar bills from the nightstand and tossed them onto the foot of the bed.

“Or lower your price. Six grand, ten grand. I’ll marry you.”

With the cigarette between his lips, he let his gaze travel slowly over me.

“We can still negotiate while I’m interested.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Disappointment weighed on my chest as I dragged a hand through my hair and took a slow breath.

“We’re done.”

Brennan burst out laughing.

“That was a pretty speech. But now that I’m asking you to lower your price, you won’t do it. You’re not some fresh-faced college girl anymore, Maren. What makes you think you’re worth twenty grand?”

“You’re obviously in it for the money. My friend Harlan Westcott is loaded. Why don’t you try your luck with him?”

“Fine.”

I grabbed my purse and opened the door. Something struck me between the shoulder blades.

“You bought those. We only used one, so take the rest. My fiancée just graduated from college. I’m not using leftovers with her.”

I picked up the box of condoms and dropped it into the trash.

Then I called Harlan.

“Do you have time to meet?”