Chapter 1 Just a Game

Just a game? What game?

I was still clutching the 100 dollars in my hand as the crowd shoved me farther and farther away from the seemingly happy couple.

Natalie was sitting beside Ewan in a custom-made evening gown. The two of them looked immaculate together, practically the picture of a perfect couple.

Natalie and I had been together for seven years.

Our relationship spanned throughout college, graduation, and into our working lives.

She had given up the opportunity to study abroad for my sake. She had been born into a life of wealth and privilege. Yet, she had chosen to live with me in a filthy, cramped rental apartment.

She had worked hard to save money with me, determined to give up her comfortable life and run away with me.

She had been so sincere when she swore we would lead happy lives. How could any of it have been a lie?

I couldn't bring myself to accept what I had just heard. So, I forced my way back through the crowd.

That was when Ewan spoke up with a mocking smile. "Natalie, you really went all out. I heard there was 700,000 dollars in that account, and it was everything he worked so hard to save over the past five years. Yet, you threw it all away as a tip just like that. Aren't you afraid he'll be heartbroken when he finds out?"

Natalie lightly punched him on the arm, feigning annoyance. "You know perfectly well that me making him save money was just an excuse to string him along. Did you really think I was going to elope with some poor nobody like him?

"He's just a toy that's meant to entertain me whenever I'm bored."

Their mutual friends immediately burst out in jeers as they chimed in.

"Come on, Ewan, stop being so sarcastic. Everyone in our circle knows that Natalie is only dating that guy because she's using him as your substitute."

"After all, you did leave Natalie behind and go to Westoria for college. Natalie's a homebody and has never wanted to study abroad. She didn't want to be so far away from her family. She cried and begged you, but she still couldn't make you stay.

"So, she took revenge for your abandonment and found someone at school who looked like you and used him as your replacement."

Ewan raised his wineglass and apologized profusely, "Alright, alright. It's my bad. I regretted it. I shouldn't have left you alone. I'll make it up to you with three shots."

The others immediately started cheering, egging him on.

"What are three shots supposed to do? Ewan, you should drink at least ten times more than that. You really were heartless back then. Natalie might have technically been dating that guy all these years, but she never once stopped sending you birthday presents."

"I remember she got you a private jet last year. And what did she give that guy? A single origami crane. Hahaha! What a pitiful substitute he is. Even his gifts were the bargain-bin version of yours!"