Chapter 1

My couple's video on TikTok blew up.

Among the sea of congratulations, a comment from a user named "Nina" stood out like a sore thumb.

"Girl, you probably won't believe this, but we're dating the same man!"

I deleted the comment immediately, brushing it off as a troll.

Three days later, Nina sent me a direct message with a screen-recorded video.

In the video, my boyfriend Kyle was on his knees, eyes bloodshot, looking completely wrecked.

"Nina, I swear I didn't mean to hide it from you! Being with Chloe is purely an act. I feel nothing for her!"

"She’s five years older than me, covered in wrinkles, and honestly smells like an old folks' home! How could I ever actually want her?!"

"She’s just a desperate old hag! She threatened to end her life if I walked away, refusing to let me go!!"

"Girl, do you believe me now? I'm not lying to you!"

"We really are sharing the same boyfriend..."

Nina's texts kept buzzing on my screen.

My hands shook so hard I could barely hold my phone. My mind went completely blank.

I sank onto the couch, paralyzed and lost.

In that video was Kyle—the man I lived with, the face I knew by heart.

The same Kyle who had never once lowered his head or swallowed his pride in front of me.

Yet there he was, caught red-handed, kneeling on the floor, begging another woman for forgiveness.

And tearing me down to absolute garbage.

"Nina, I swear I didn't mean to hide it from you! Being with Chloe is purely an act. I feel nothing for her!"

"She’s five years older than me, covered in wrinkles, and honestly smells like an old folks' home!”

“How could I ever actually want her?! Every second I spend with her makes me sick to my stomach!"

"She’s just a desperate old hag! It’s her! She threatened to kill herself if I left! She's the one clinging to me like a leech, and I just couldn't shake her off!"

"Nina, look at how well I treat you! I buy you designer bags, luxury clothes, and hand you thousands in spending money. Are you still going to question my love for you?"

Every single word was a dagger straight through my chest.

He didn’t even have a job. I had supported him for five whole years.

I gave him five thousand dollars in allowance every single month, yet he cried poor in front of me every day.

And all this time, he was using my money to play Prince Charming for someone else?

He said I was wrinkled, said I smelled old, and claimed every moment with me made him sick...

Yet once upon a time, he used to cup my cheeks with utter devotion in his eyes.

"Chloe, you look like you're forever eighteen."

"Who cares if you're older? I'll take care of you. With me, you can be my baby girl for the rest of your life."

Along with that last line I had always conveniently brushed aside:

"So, Chloe, do you think you could bump up my allowance just a little?"

I had never doubted Kyle's love for me.

Even though he always acted superior, even though he never apologized when we fought.

He always waited for me to apologize first, waiting for me to wire him cash just to coax a smile onto his face.

The one who is loved always has the upper hand, right?

I knew he loved money, but I firmly believed he loved me more.

Otherwise, with so many wealthy women out there, why stay with me for five whole years?

A week ago, I secretly posted a couple's video on TikTok.

The bouquet of red roses he bought me looked so bright and vibrant.

Drunk on happiness, I wrote the caption:

"When you're with the right person, every day is Valentine's Day! Dating a younger guy is pure bliss. Five years together, and it still feels like the honeymoon phase!!"

The video went viral, and the comment section was overflowing with blessings for our age-gap romance.

"OP is so lucky. Finding such a devoted younger guy in today's hookup culture is rare."

"Five months might just be infatuation, but five years is definitely true love!!"

"Age is just a number! This sister-brother romance is so sweet!"

And right in the middle of all that warmth...

Nina's comment threw ice water over everything.

"Girl, you probably won't believe this, but we're dating the same man!"

Her comment was quickly upvoted to the top, with thousands of users grabbing popcorn waiting for drama.

I deleted it without a second thought.

"I know my man. He would never do something like that!"

"The internet is full of clout-chasers. Why should I make my boyfriend defend himself over a stranger's comment?"