Chapter 5

Sophia left my apartment the next day, and Tristan didn't come back for several days either.

He claimed he was out of town scouting locations because they were opening several stores at once.

A few times during our FaceTime calls, I caught a glimpse of Sophia in the background.

He quickly explained, "Sophia called to check on the progress. When she heard I was in the next city, she decided to tag along.

Honestly, her help saved us a ton of trouble. Even my dad praised me for this."

Like any trust-fund heir, Tristan spent his whole life trying to step out of his father's shadow. His father and grandfather were highly respected entrepreneurs.

Tristan wasn't incompetent, but he was always eclipsed by his family’s legacy. He desperately wanted to prove himself.

This expansion went incredibly fast and secured prime locations. Even his father and grandfather praised him at the family dinner.

Tristan wired me $30,000, telling me to buy a designer bag for Sophia in my name.

"I know she only helped me because of you," he said. "It’s better if it comes from you. I know how to handle these boundaries."

He added, "Pick something she’ll really like. If it’s not enough, I’ll wire you more."

I pulled out my phone and dialed my cousin's number.

As soon as she picked up, I said, "Thanks for helping my boyfriend. He wanted to buy you a thirty-thousand-dollar bag. Is there a specific one you want, or should I just wire you the cash?"

There was a long silence on the other end. Then, a deep, masculine voice spoke.

"Chloe? Why is your boyfriend buying things for Sophia?"

Oh my god. Sophia and her ex-husband’s names were right next to each other on my contact list. I had accidentally called her ex, Arthur Pendelton.

Arthur, Sophia, and I had all gone to the same college. Arthur was a year ahead of us, and we used to run into each other at club activities.

I had only mentioned once that I thought Arthur was incredibly attentive. The very next day, Sophia started pursuing him.

They broke up and got back together several times before finally getting married right after graduation. Three years later, they divorced.