Chapter 3

I was a complete zombie for the rest of the day.

I didn't even reply to my online boyfriend's messages.

Somehow, I managed to finish editing the proposal and dragged myself home, feeling absolutely hollow.

My phone was buzzing like crazy with notifications from him.

[Babe, what are you doing? I miss you.]

[It’s been a while since we had phone sex. Tonight?]

[Are you there?]

[PayPal Transfer: $100,000]

[Buy yourself something nice.]

[Why are you ignoring me?]

[You're acting weird today.]

[Still no reply? Did I do something wrong?]

...

My hands shook as I typed out a reply.

[Are you keeping secrets from me?]

He replied within seconds: [I’ve never lied to you about anything.]

[Babe, is there some kind of misunderstanding?]

[No.]

I tried to calm my racing mind.

If my online boyfriend really was Julian, my next step was to figure out if he was cheating on his actual girlfriend.

And who exactly was the "babe" he was hosting tomorrow.

What if I was overreacting? What if it was all a misunderstanding?

Another text came in:

[Help me pick an outfit.]

He sent a photo of several designer suits lined up.

[I trust your taste.]

I intentionally chose a navy blue Tom Ford suit. It was distinct enough that I’d easily spot it.

Deep down, I was desperately hoping. If Julian didn't wear that suit tomorrow, it meant he wasn't my online boyfriend.

Then I wouldn't have to worry about whether my digital lover was a cheating scumbag.

The next morning, I walked into Julian's office with the updated proposal.

Julian was sitting on the leather sofa, sipping tea. And he was wearing the exact navy blue Tom Ford suit I had picked out last night.

"Julian, here's the final draft."

Julian nodded with a smile.

"Thanks, Chloe."

"The lead investor is coming this afternoon. Get ready to present."

"Will do."

I stared at his suit and asked, trying to sound nonchalant:

"I’ve never seen you in this suit before, Julian. It looks great on you."

Julian smiled. "Really? Just bought it yesterday."

My heart sank. That confirmed it. Julian was my online boyfriend.

Sitting at my desk, I couldn't focus. I kept staring at his glass-walled office.

Julian had said his "babe" was coming today.

I wanted to see who she was with my own eyes.

If it was what I feared, then this relationship had to end immediately.

Half an hour later, a stunning, well-dressed girl walked straight into Julian's office.

I grabbed my mug and pretended to go to the breakroom.

As I passed his office, their laughter drifted through the cracked door.

"I missed you so much! This suit looks incredible on you. Navy blue is definitely your color."

Julian’s voice was incredibly tender. "I'm glad you like it. I wore it just for you. Aren't I meeting your parents tonight? I was worried they wouldn't approve of me."

"Are you kidding? If I love you, my parents will love you too."

Hearing those words felt like a physical blow to my chest.

So, the reason he had asked me to choose an outfit was to impress his real girlfriend's parents.

What was I, then? A dirty little online secret? A side chick?

My stomach churned. I pulled out my phone and typed out a text to my online boyfriend with trembling fingers:

[You are a piece of trash. We are done.]

I blocked and deleted his contact immediately.