Chapter 3

That night, Tristan added me to a group chat.

It was called How Long Can the Gold Digger Last.

There were more than twenty people in it, all friends of Vivian's. The second I appeared, the messages started flying.

I bet he apologizes before midnight.

Midnight's too late. A guy who grew up with nothing isn't throwing away a meal ticket that good.

I say he's on his knees outside her office begging to get back together.

Loser buys late-night food for a month.

Tristan sent a voice message.

"You're all giving him way too much credit.

"Packing the bags, handing back the gifts, that's the standard playbook. A man who actually wanted to leave wouldn't make a production out of it.

"He wants everyone to know, because he wants Vivian to come running."

Somebody asked how he could be so sure.

Tristan laughed.

"How many times do I have to say it? I used to do this for a living.

"A broke guy landing a woman like Vivian is the same as winning the lottery.

"You ever hear of a lottery winner tearing up the ticket instead of cashing it?"

The chat filled with laughing reactions.

Vivian was in the group. She never said anything. She never stopped them either.

I left the chat.

Ten seconds later, Tristan added me back.

Don't run off yet.

Weren't you breaking up with her? Let's see how many days you can keep it up.

Why don't you put money down on what time you crawl back?

I left again.

Half an hour later, an unknown number called.

"Is this Vivian Ford's boyfriend? Ms. Ford's been in a car accident. She's in emergency surgery."

They'd run the exact same play three years ago.

That day I'd been taking a professional licensing exam. When I heard Vivian had been in an accident, I walked out without even turning in my paper and tore across town to the hospital.

I shoved open the door of the hospital room and found a table spread with food and liquor.

They laughed and said the panic on my face proved I was terrified of losing my meal ticket.

The second time, my mother was in the hospital with a dangerous fever. They called again and told me something had happened to Vivian.

I left my mother with a neighbor and rode five hours back on the train.

Another test.

They watched me panic and complimented me on how convincing my acting was.

Vivian curled against me and coaxed me in that sweet voice of hers.

"Don't be angry. They just wanted to see how much you cared about me. I won't let them do it again, okay?"

I forgave her.

Whatever she meant by next time, it never actually arrived.

This time, I answered calmly.

"If somebody needs to sign paperwork, call her family.

"We've broken up."

The line went quiet. Then the laughter exploded.

Tristan took the phone.

"Look at you, catching on. You knew we were testing you.

"But don't think playing cold is going to scare Vivian. A woman worth billions can have any man she wants.

"You lose her and that's it, there's no climbing back out. Give up the act. Everybody here knows exactly what you are."

I hung up.

At dawn, I hauled my luggage to the airport.

Before security, a coworker called me.

"Ms. Ford's assistant just asked me whether you're really taking the overseas posting."

I stopped walking.

"What did you tell her?"

"I didn't get a word out. Some guy next to her said you were bluffing to force a proposal. Ms. Ford heard that and hung up."

I didn't have to ask who.

At eight forty, they called my flight.

I looked back once at the terminal entrance.

Vivian hadn't come.

My phone buzzed. Tristan had sent a video.

Vivian was sitting at the private club with a drink in front of her. Her head was down and her eyes were red.

They were all still waiting for me to cave.

Tristan's voice came from behind the camera.

"Don't cry, Vivian. He's not going anywhere. He's parked somewhere near the airport right now waiting for you to run over and beg.

"You go, and he'll use this breakup on you for the rest of your life."

Vivian lifted her head.

"And if he really goes?"

Tristan didn't hesitate for a second.

"If he can actually walk away, I'll apologize to him in front of everybody."

The video ended.

I turned off my phone screen and walked to the gate.

I didn't want his apology. He could keep it and choke on it.