All Chapters of I Built His Future, He Ruined Mine: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

When Sophie Bennett came back from seeing Zachary Wells, I was eating dinner at the table, taking my time.She looked a bit surprised and said mockingly, "Oh, have you finally learned your lesson? You're not waiting around for me like an idiot until midnight this time, huh?"In the past, hearing her trample on my sincerity like this, I would have argued with her, insisting that waiting for dinner together was a promise we made to each other.But this time, I just calmly cleared the dishes. "Yeah, I won't be doing that anymore."She carelessly tossed her bag and shoes aside, flopped onto the couch, and started scrolling through her phone. Whatever message she received made a faint smile appear on her face.When she noticed I wasn't cleaning up after her mess, Sophie got up and walked over to me. She cleared her throat and spoke first."You're a grown man. Can't you be more mature? Zachary was so scared when he saw your passive-aggressive reply."I found it amusing. "He must not h

The next day, I received a text from Sophie when I woke up. "I ordered breakfast for you. Don't forget to eat it."She casually glossed over the fact that she'd left me alone in the car last night, trying to sweep it under the rug with a single breakfast order. If I brought it up again, it would look like I was deliberately starting a fight.Two minutes later, Zachary posted another update on social media. In the photo, Sophie sat across from him, cooling down his soup for him. The table was covered with a lavish breakfast spread.I liked the post, and not long after, her angry voice message came through. "Zachary has a sensitive stomach. I'm like his older sister, so I'm just making sure he eats breakfast properly. What's the problem?"He never had anything good to eat growing up. I'm just making up for the care he missed out on. Don't tell me you're going to make an issue out of this!"Just a single "like" was enough to set Sophie off like this. I couldn't tell if she was angry

Zachary guiltily pulled his hand back and hid it behind him, stammering without being able to get any words out.Sophie quickly stepped in front of him. "Dad, you're scaring Zach. He's young and curious. He just wanted to try on the wedding ring. You're overreacting."The Bennetts had lived several more decades and weren't blind to Sophie's special treatment and favoritism toward Zachary. Besides, they obviously didn't want their son-in-law, who was superior in every way, to be replaced by some college student who hadn't even graduated yet.Sophie's mother, Olivia Castell, stood up to ease the tension. "Since everyone's here now, let's sit down. The food's getting cold."But my mother clearly couldn't stand it anymore. She asked, "So, the ring just stays on Zachary's finger? Sophie, that's not appropriate."My parents had always known about my sponsoring Zachary. They'd even visited him personally a few times to check on him. But now, he couldn't even be bothered to say hello to m

I'd finally seen Zachary's true colors. All the care and support I'd given him over the years now felt utterly ridiculous. I'd been nurturing a snake in my own home.I walked over and stood in front of Zachary. He was half a head shorter than me and had to look up at me."Zachary, listen carefully. As of today, I'm cutting off all financial support to you. And that apartment you're living in? I paid for it in full."I'll be calculating rent starting from the day you moved in. If you can't pay up and move out within three days, that's trespassing and theft."Zachary nervously swallowed, and I gave him one last contemptuous look before turning to leave."Dad, Mom, let's go.""Ethan, you explain yourself before you leave!"Sophie grabbed her bag and ran after me without caring about making a scene. Even after I drove my parents home, her car continued following me.I simply pulled over to the side of the road. Less than two minutes later, she was knocking on my window.Sophie's f

I arranged to meet Mark Cooper for dinner. Mark was the one who'd sent me that video of Sophie and Zachary at the bar. He'd been my roommate and close friend throughout our four years of college.After he sent me that video, he'd also hinted that I should watch out for the people around me. I never expected that in just a few short days, the people around me would change so drastically.Since all this happened, I hadn't had the chance to see Mark face-to-face to thank him. When he received my dinner invitation, he laughed and said I was being too formal. He then changed the meeting location to a newly opened coffeehouse."See? I told you this place was nice. The style is elegant." Mark gestured around us and winked at me. "Plus, it's owned by an old friend of ours."I could tell Mark was trying hard to find topics to lighten the mood, and I couldn't help but smile. "I'm really fine. It's just a canceled wedding. It doesn't affect me that much."In truth, Sophie had broken my heart