Love Ends in Vain

I jumped out the window and escaped from Ryan’s mansion just to collect my family’s belongings.

With the Knights now bankrupt, everything of value had been sold off. All that remained in the house were a few personal items no one cared about.

I was worried my parents might be cold in the afterlife, and my sister wouldn’t have clothes to wear.

The Knights’ estate was bustling with people. As I was approaching the front door, Ryan’s laughter pierced my eardrums, and my heart clenched.

When he saw me come in, the cigarette between his fingers paused for a second. Then he raised his hand in greeting.

“Well, well. Didn’t expect the orphan of the Knights to show up. You here to bid on your own family’s leftovers?”

My hands curled into fists, and my throat felt tight. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

“What did you just say? Ryan, they were your family, too.”

Ryan’s gaze went cold. “When your family was using the Irwins to boost your reputation, you never treated me like part of the family.”

He pulled a beautiful girl close with one arm. “Shannon, pick whatever you like. I’ll cover it.”

On the stage, they were auctioning off my mom’s earrings and her hair comb.

Shannon’s eyes sparkled as she raised her paddle. “Five million! I love it, Mr. Irwin!”

Another girl, teary-eyed, looked over. “Can you let me have it, Shannon? I really like it too!”

Ryan burst into laughter. “Alright. Shannon’s new here, Reina. Why don’t you let her have this one? I promise the next piece will be yours, okay?

“Listen up, babes! Bid on whatever you want! If someone outbids you, come to me. I’ll get it for you!”

A wave of cheers followed, and the girls started bidding like maniacs.

My parents’ jewelry and clothes were quickly sold off. Yet, I couldn’t do a single thing.

Then they brought out my sister’s underwear.

“Now this one’s a gem, folks. Comes with a bonus video. Starting at ten million!”

All the trust-fund brats in the room started bidding, their eyes full of lust.

The girls rolled their eyes. “Ugh, what kind of world are we living in? People buying used underwear for that price? Gross! I wouldn’t touch it. I’ll probably catch something!”

Reina looked smug. She turned to Ryan and said sweetly, “Hey, Ryan, why don’t you buy this one for Lily?

“Poor girl’s probably broke by now. Soon, she can’t even afford clothes. Might as well wear her sister’s. At least it’s free.”

Ryan smirked, his eyes full of scorn as he looked at me.

“Sounds good to me. Let’s do it.”

He grabbed the corner of the underwear and tossed it right onto my head, along with a USB stick.

“Since you’re broke now, take it home and study up. Might come in handy when you're out there trying to make a living.”

I let out a dry laugh.

“I remember telling you I was afraid of pain, so you promised to stay celibate with me. And now you say this?”

Ryan scoffed. “Are you stupid? I said I’d get a vasectomy because I didn’t want to touch you. You grossed me out. I just needed an excuse to avoid you, and you actually believed it?”

The wound in my heart ached so badly that I nearly fainted. It seemed death by heartbreak really was a thing.

I clutched my chest and collapsed to the ground, face pale.

However, Ryan just walked past me, leading the others to step right over my body.

“Quit playing the victim. The only people who ever gave a damn about you are dead.”

“Wait!”

I called out to Ryan.

“The next item is mine.”