You Want Him? Take Him! But I’m Keeping All the Assets Chapter 01

You Want Him? Take Him! But I’m Keeping All the Assets Chapter 01

[York has to be coming, right? He’s waited ten years for Faye. Who could resist such devotion!]

[Exactly! All these years and not even a word about marriage—he really loves her!]

[I could envy this love for the rest of my life—it’s so touching!]

I stared at the constantly refreshing news feed on the screen, my fingers unconsciously clenching, while my gaze drifted to York, who was fast asleep beside me.

He slept soundly, breathing evenly, his handsome profile looking especially gentle in the nightlight.

Fifteen years.

It’s been exactly fifteen years since my senior year of high school, when my memories resurfaced and I realized I was nothing more than a supporting character in this novel—one whose name was on the verge of being forgotten.

After entering college, the first thing I did was actively seek out Faye Morgan—the heroine who always shone brightly in this book.

Armed with my knowledge of the plot, I appeared at just the right moments when she needed me. When she was feeling down, I said exactly what she wanted to hear, and naturally became her best friend.

Everyone said, “Kayla Reed, you’re so lucky to be Faye’s best friend.”

Only I knew that I was riding on her coattails to make my own life a little smoother.

Over the four years of college, I tagged along with Faye to all kinds of events and got to know everyone in her circle, including York—that aloof genius from a wealthy family who had eyes only for her.

It wasn’t until graduation that Faye chose the football team captain, Eliot Carter, and left the country with him.

Before she left, she took my hand and said with a smile, “Kayla, York is really a great guy. You two should get together—I’ll be rooting for you.”

As I looked at her radiant smile, I knew better than anyone else.

York has eyes for no one but her. I also know that, according to the plot, when Faye returns to this country ten years from now, he’ll run into her arms with our child in tow.

But so what?

York’s family background, education, and abilities were all steps that a girl from an ordinary family like me could never reach on my own, no matter how many lifetimes I lived.

By marrying him, I could use him as a stepping stone to climb higher, gain access to more exclusive circles, and accumulate more resources.

As for love?

I never had any illusions about that.

So when Faye played matchmaker, I accepted York’s proposal without hesitation.

At that moment, I was as calm as if I were closing a deal.

I had calculated every step.

After the wedding, I’d use York’s resources to start a business and build my own capital. Once Faye returned and York cheated, I’d divorce him openly, take half his assets, and turn my life around completely.

But no matter how much I planned, I never anticipated that my heart would gradually soften through our daily life together.

In our third year of marriage, my company got off to a smooth start, and York quietly provided me with many valuable connections.

In the fifth year, our son, Ian Cooper, was born. York clumsily learned to change diapers and got up in the middle of the night to prepare formula. He remembered that I didn’t eat cilantro and that I had stomach cramps during my period.

In our eighth year, my company faced a crisis, and without a word, he pulled out his savings to help me get through it.

Ten years have passed.

Everyone tells me, “Kayla, you married a good man.”

I almost convinced myself that living like this wasn’t so bad after all.

But now, Faye is back.

The plot is finally getting back on track.

As I watched the messages refresh endlessly in the group chat, the last shred of wavering in my heart was ruthlessly crushed by reason.

Fine. This is the last chance I’m giving him.

If this time, he chooses me, chooses this family, then I’ll pretend I never knew anything and keep this marriage going.

If he chooses Faye…

Well, it’s time to put an end to my plan.