Boyfriend Dumped Me for “Heiress” BFF? Your New Girl Calls ME “Boss” Every Day! Chapter 02

Boyfriend Dumped Me for “Heiress” BFF? Your New Girl Calls ME “Boss” Every Day! Chapter 02

I walk through the front door.

Dad looks past me. His jaw tightens.

“Weren’t you road-tripping with Summer? Where is she?”

I grab his arm, all smiles.

“Missed you too much, Dad. Let her enjoy Cali without me.”

His shoulders drop a little. But his voice stays cold.

“Willow, Summer’s mom works for us.”

“We bankrolled her education so she’d look after you—that’s the deal.”

“She stops pulling her weight, I’m cutting off her allowance.”

My smile dies.

Something twists in my chest.

Summer was seven when her mom started cleaning our house.

She stood in the foyer—skinny, trembling, like a kicked puppy.

Her bio dad used to lock her in closets. Forget to feed her.

I had no siblings. I made her mine.

She’s been in my life for fifteen years.

Even now—even watching Blake slip away—

I can’t believe she’d stab me in the back.

I duck my head, fumbling with my bag.

“Okay, okay! What’s for dinner?”

Dad’s voice follows me upstairs.

“Tomorrow you’re meeting the Ashford boy.”

“Goes well, we’ll book the venue.”

I stop on the landing.

Long beat.

“…Sure.”

Next afternoon. Starbucks on Fifth.

I’m scrolling Instagram, waiting for Preston Ashford.

Summer’s story is nonstop updates.

Pier 39. Feeding seagulls. Mission Dolores. Lighting prayer candles. Muir Woods. Hiking redwoods.

I planned this whole trip.

Spent a month color-coding a Google Doc.

I was so hyped.

Now it’s just… theirs.

My throat closes up.

Suddenly Summer FaceTimes me.

She’s breathless, phone wobbling as she pans across some mountain vista.

“Babe, I’m totally vetting him for you! He’s acing every test.”

“Gave me a piggyback when my feet hurt. Grabbed me an iced latte before I asked. Even held his hoodie over my head when it got sunny…”

My fake smile cracks.

I zero in on her neck.

Bruises. Dark purple hickeys.

They look like burns on my screen.

She catches me staring. Yanks her collar up.

“It’s super breezy up here, haha—”

Someone crashes into frame and pulls her close.

“Told you not to blast the AC naked. You’re gonna get sick.”

“We’re taking a break tonight, okay? You need sleep…”

Summer’s eyes go wide. Screen goes black.

But I heard it.

That was Blake.

Everything goes white noise.

My hands won’t move.

I call him. Again. Again. Again. Voicemail.

Cold sweat runs down my spine.

Finally he calls back.

Face relaxed. Easy grin.

“My bad, Willow—I was shopping for your gift. Phone was on silent.”

“You miss me? We’ll be back this weekend…”

I see her behind him.

Summer.

Wearing the leather jacket I spent two paychecks on for Valentine’s.

My ribs feel like they’re cracking inward.

Can’t breathe.

I hang up.

Someone slides a glass of water in front of me.

Preston Ashford. Sitting down now.

I force my mouth into something resembling a smile.

“It’s arranged anyway. Not like we need to pretend.”

I meet his eyes.

“If you’re cool with it, then let’s book the church.”