Chapter 1

In my fifth year with Eloise Russell, her fiancé, Aiden Jenner, returned.

An underground casino even opened a betting pool right in front of me, taking wagers on when Eloise would finally kick me to the curb.

"Luke Shayman has lasted longer than any man Eloise has ever kept. We all thought she was just having a little fun at first."

"But a kept man is nothing more than a temporary fling."

"I heard Eloise bought the mansion up on the hill a month ago. It was supposed to be the marital home she promised the man overseas."

Eloise sat in the back of the private room and casually beckoned me over.

I took the seat beside her, only to have a property deed suddenly placed in my hands.

"Your birthday present. Do you like it?"

It was the very mansion Aiden wanted as their marital home, yet Eloise had given it to me instead.

My chest tightened despite myself. A second later, Eloise tilted my chin up.

"Luke, you have one month left with me. If there's anything you want, just ask."

One month from now was the date she would marry Aiden.

Their marriage had been arranged before either of them was born. From the first day I got involved with her, I had known Eloise had a fiancé from a family of equal standing.

"The house sounds like too much trouble. Can you just give me cash instead?"

Eloise clearly did not expect me to ask for money so directly. She narrowed her eyes.

"You haven't changed a bit. You can't go two sentences without bringing up money. Five years later, and you still haven't managed to scrub off that vulgarity."

"You're joking, Ms. Russell. My price is right there in black and white. You know I have my principles."

We talked only about money, never feelings. That had always been the golden rule between Eloise and me.

Eloise sneered, pulled out a check, and tossed it in front of me.

"Fill in whatever amount you want."

I dutifully wrote down the market value of the hillside mansion, not a penny more.

After all, Eloise had always been generous with me. Over the past five years, I had earned more than enough. There was no need to squeeze more out of her at the very end.

Trying to ease the awkward atmosphere, her friends came over with drinks and repeatedly called me Eloise's hubby. The nickname used to feel ironic, but I never paid much attention to it since Eloise never objected.

Now, it felt a little inappropriate.

I smiled and reminded them, "Once you walk out that door, remember to change how you address me. Don't go calling the wrong guy Eloise's hubby in front of the real one."

Eloise frowned ever so slightly, a clear sign her temper was beginning to flare.

She should have been happy. I was not pestering her, nor was I begging her to make me official. She ought to have praised me for being so sensible.

As I stepped out of the restroom, I found Eloise leaning against the corridor wall. She slipped her phone into her pocket and looked at me.

"Why didn't you ask me about my marriage?"

My footsteps faltered.

In truth, I had already looked into everything.

Aiden, her childhood sweetheart, was a man with strong convictions. He refused to marry young, so he fled the country the day Eloise first pressured him to tie the knot.

Eloise had given him an ultimatum that night.

"Aiden, don't regret this."

Shortly afterward, she sought me out.

I offered a faint smile.

"It wouldn't be appropriate for me to ask about your personal affairs."

Eloise's expression darkened slightly.

"You're not upset?"

"If I were upset, would you call off the wedding?"

She tightened her grip on my hand and stared at me in silence.

I gently pulled away and gave her a polite smile.

"Ms. Russell, congratulations in advance on your upcoming marriage. I'll come into the office tomorrow and hand in my resignation."

With Aiden back, it would not have been appropriate for me to remain at her company.

The next morning, after my resignation was finalized, one of Eloise's lawyers escorted me to a conference room.

"These are gifts from Ms. Russell. Please review them. If you have no objections, sign here."

In addition to the mansion I lived in, I was receiving 6 million in cash and a limited-edition Ferrari.

"Ms. Russell said that if you don't think this is enough, you're welcome to discuss it with her directly."

"It's more than enough. Please thank Ms. Russell for me."

I signed the documents without a moment's hesitation.

I supposed this was Eloise's breakup settlement.

For five years, I had been her most obedient kept man. Even when I occasionally threw a tantrum, it was only because she indulged me.

Some people said Eloise had spoiled me into becoming far too temperamental. She would merely look at me and smile, completely unfazed.

"I don't mind."

Back then, I had actually believed she might have some feelings for me.

Those feelings, however, were worthless in our circle.

They vanished with the slightest breeze.

Just after I sent the listing information for the house and car to an agent, someone suddenly stopped beside me in the elevator lobby.

"Are you Luke Shayman?"

"And you are?"

Before I could finish speaking, a fist slammed into my face and sent me stumbling backward.

My vision blurred. As darkness crept in, I realized who had hit me.

Eloise's fiancé.

The man she was about to marry.

Aiden looked down at me with open contempt.

"To think something this shameless would dare show itself in front of me. Trash really does breed trash."

Pain shot through my face.

The woman who had driven my father to his death was Aiden's wealthy and promiscuous mother.

My father had been a fool. He wanted true love and ended up meeting a gruesome end.

Just then, Eloise walked over. Her icy gaze landed on me.

"You've hurt Mr. Jenner's hand. Aren't you going to apologize?"