Chapter 1

The day he proposed, Ethan Shaw gave me a necklace.

The moment I took it, every light in the living room snapped on.

A second later, his friends stepped out of the shadows. Front and center was Mia Lane, his childhood best friend.

She stood with her arms crossed, smiling without the slightest attempt to hide it.

"Told you. She's a gold digger."

"A girl from some nowhere town, and she doesn't even hesitate to accept something that expensive."

She walked up to me and blinked.

"Sorry, Emma. That necklace isn't for you. It's Ethan's birthday gift to me."

I looked down at the necklace in my hands.

In that moment, every ounce of emotion I'd felt was ripped apart in front of everyone.

I tore the necklace off and threw it on the ground.

Then I broke up with Ethan.

Two years later, after Ryan Cole's gentle and patient pursuit, I finally said yes to his proposal.

He was one of New York high society's most well-known heirs. Thoughtful, steady, and he never pushed me.

The night before we were supposed to register our marriage, he said he had a surprise for me.

When I pushed open the door, the same crowd from two years ago was standing inside.

Mia was laughing so hard she could barely stand.

"See? I knew I wasn't wrong about her."

"Some women play innocent on the surface, but they only date rich men. At the end of the day, all they want is the grand prize."

Ethan stood among them, looking at me with disappointment.

"Emma, I always thought you genuinely liked me."

"Turns out, as long as the guy has money, any random man can wave you over and you'll come running."

I looked at Ryan.

He held up both hands, his expression innocent to the point of cruelty.

"Don't look at me. I was just playing along. Not my fault you're so easy to fool."

Looking at all those grinning faces, I was suddenly struck by the absurdity of it all.

So my heart was something they could drag out and test, again and again.

But this game? I was done playing.

I pulled off the engagement ring Ryan had given me and threw it on the ground.

It hit the floor with a sharp, clear sound, then rolled into the shadow beneath the couch.

"Ryan Cole, we're done."

The room went silent for a beat.

Then everyone burst out laughing.

Mia laughed until she was clutching her stomach, tears streaming down her face.

"Ryan, she says she's done with you. That's hilarious. When did you two even start? Since when did we not know about it?"

Ethan walked up to me and reached out to touch my hair.

I stepped back.

His hand froze in midair. Then he pulled it back like nothing had happened.

"You silly girl. You and Ryan never started anything. The one texting you was me. The one buying you gifts was me. Even that engagement ring? I bought it."

He looked at me, his voice going soft.

"All those sweet moments you thought belonged to you and Ryan? I was behind every single one."

Mia immediately raised her hand, grinning triumphantly.

"And us. All those ways he courted you? We came up with them together. Surprise, Emma. This whole thing was a test Ethan set up, just for you."

The others laughed along, their eyes roaming over me like I was a cheap joke.

"Didn't think she'd take the bait that easily."

"Mia called it. As long as the guy has money, she'll say yes no matter who it is."

"Honestly, Emma's kind of impressive. She'll put up with anything for money."

My nails dug hard into my palms.

All those days with Ryan. The heart I'd poured out. The vulnerability and pain I'd whispered about late at night.

It had all been part of their entertainment.

Maybe my expression looked bad enough, because Ethan grabbed my wrist.

"Emma, you've really let me down. You already failed the test two years ago. Now it's clear you haven't changed at all."

He paused, and his tone suddenly shifted to something that sounded like charity.

"But what can I do? I like you. I know you want to marry me. Just sign this prenup, and I'll make you my wife."

He held a document out in front of me.

I glanced over it.

All of the husband's assets shall remain separate from the wife after marriage.

Essential household expenses shall be split equally between both parties.

Every purchase made by the wife must be pre-approved by the husband, with receipts submitted for reimbursement, to ensure the husband's assets are not compromised.

In the five years I'd been with Ethan, I knew the gap between us.

I had never dared accept a single expensive gift from him.

But five years of being together, day in and day out, apparently counted for less than one offhand remark from Mia.

I tore the document to shreds and hurled the pieces into Ethan's face.

"Don't ever let me see any of you again. You make me sick."

As I turned to leave, I caught Ethan's expression freeze for a moment.

Then he called out to my back.

"Emma, stop the act. If you want something, just say it. I don't like this playing-hard-to-get routine."

"I'm only giving you this one chance. All you have to do is ask. Hmm?"

My steps didn't slow.

After walking out of that house, I dialed my boss.

"Mr. Lewis, the overseas assignment to the Australian branch. I'll take it."