Chapter 2

A flicker of panic crossed his eyes.

But he quickly recovered, masking it with defensive anger.

"Elena, what is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just a mechanic. I'm not as successful as my brother. It's useless for you to wish I were some secret billionaire. If I actually had money, do you think I'd let you live in poverty with me for all these years?"

"At the end of the day, you just look down on me because I'm poor..."

It is truly pathetic how people act when they are guilty.

I hadn't even asked what he was hiding, yet he had already started deflecting and projecting.

How stupid had I been to be kept in the dark for six years?

Julian stopped talking and quietly went to prepare a warm foot soak.

He tested the water temperature, then pulled me over to my usual small stool, just like he did every night.

Before I could react, he placed my feet into the warm water.

He gently washed and massaged my tired feet, whispering softly, "Elena, I promise I'll work harder and make more money."

"I never want you to feel envious of anyone else again."

I looked down at this man who was so attentive, so careful, and my eyes swelled with tears.

Over the past six years, we had been dirt poor, but Julian had treated me like royalty.

He never let me do any heavy chores. No matter how late he got home, the apartment was always spotless.

His TikTok saves were filled with recipes I had liked, and he would spend hours in our cramped kitchen making them for me.

When my Nana was hospitalized, he spent his own money and took care of her for an entire month without a single word of complaint.

Yet, this man who seemed to love me so deeply was living a massive lie.

The next morning, Chloe called me.

Even through the speaker, I could feel her bursting with smug excitement.

"Elena! Christian finally agreed to register our marriage!"

"Our engagement party is tonight. You're my absolute best friend, you have to be there! I've reserved a seat for you at the VIP table!"

I froze for a long time before forcing a single word out of my throat: "Okay."

A moment later, my Snapchat buzzed. It was a message from Julian:

Lots of high-paying repair jobs today because of the rain. I won't make it to my brother's engagement party.

I want to make some extra cash so we can buy a house and get married sooner.

I clenched my fists so hard my nails cut into my palms, but I couldn't feel the physical pain anymore.

Julian and Christian were the same person. He couldn't be in two places at once.

He wasn't at the auto shop. He was going to his own engagement party with Chloe.

Hearing that he had given Chloe the marriage certificate I had begged for for years made my heart shatter into pieces.

In the end, he didn't choose me.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady as I dialed Mr. Sanders, the regional director of my company.

"Increase my salary by twenty percent, and I'll accept the transfer to the London branch."

Mr. Sanders agreed instantly. Within minutes, the digital contract was sent to my email.

Without a second thought, I signed it.