Chapter 1

The day my boyfriend Matthew proposed, he gave me a necklace.

I had barely accepted it, still touched by the gesture, when the lights suddenly came on.

Jessica Turner walked in with a group of friends, laughing mockingly.

"Told you she was a gold digger. A small-town girl like her sees something expensive and can't wait to take it."

"Sorry, Lauren. That necklace isn't yours. Matthew bought it for my birthday."

I took it off, threw it on the floor, and broke up with him.

Two years later, after Ryan Cooper, the wealthy heir to a prominent real estate empire, spent months showering me with affection, I finally accepted his proposal.

The night before we were supposed to get married, Ryan said he had a surprise for me.

But when I arrived, the same group of people was waiting.

Jessica nearly doubled over laughing.

"See? I told you so. Some women pretend to be sweet and innocent while dating wealthy men, but all they really want is a big payday."

Matthew looked at me with disappointment.

"Lauren, I thought you genuinely loved me. I never expected you to throw yourself at the next rich man who came along."

I turned to Ryan.

He raised his hands innocently.

"Don't look at me. I was just playing along with everyone. You're the one who fell for it."

Looking at their faces, I suddenly found the whole thing laughable.

Apparently, my love was something they could put on trial again and again.

Well, I was done proving myself.

I walked away from their little game.

...

I pulled the engagement ring off my finger and flung it across the room.

It hit the hardwood with a sharp click, bounced, and disappeared beneath a dark piece of furniture.

"Ryan, we're done."

For a beat, nobody moved.

Then the laughter started.

Jessica Turner practically folded in half, one hand pressed to her stomach.

"Oh my God, Ryan. Did you hear that? She wants to break up with you!"

She looked around at the others, barely able to catch her breath.

"Seriously, when did you two even become a couple? Did we all miss the announcement?"

Matthew Sullivan walked up to me, looking far too amused. He reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair away from my cheek.

"Come on, Lauren. You and Ryan were never a real couple."

I stared at him.

"What?"

"I was the one texting you. I was the one sending you gifts. Hell, even that engagement ring was bought with my money."

He glanced toward the spot where it had disappeared.

"Every romantic moment you thought you shared with Ryan? I was behind it."

Jessica eagerly jumped in.

"And we all helped! Every date, every little surprise, every move he made to win you over—we planned it together."

She gave me a triumphant smile.

"Pretty elaborate, right? Matthew wanted to see what kind of woman you really were."

The others weren't about to miss their chance to join in.

"Can't believe she fell for it."

"Jess was right all along. Lauren would go for any guy with money."

"She's good, though. Kept two wealthy men interested without either one catching on. That's a talent."

My hands curled into fists.

Five years with Matthew. Two more years believing I'd finally found someone else.

And all that time, these people had been laughing at me.

Every conversation I'd had with Ryan, every time I'd trusted him with something personal, every moment I'd let my guard down—they'd turned it all into entertainment.

I looked at Matthew, waiting for some sign that he understood how cruel this was.

Instead, he caught my wrist.

"Lauren, I'm disappointed in you."

His tone was almost affectionate, as if I were the one who'd done something wrong.

"You failed this test two years ago, and apparently, you haven't changed."

He paused before giving me a small, indulgent smile.

"But I still love you. I know you want to marry me."

He picked up a folder from the table and held it out.

"Sign the prenup, and I'll marry you."

I took the papers and skimmed through them.

The terms were outrageous.

Everything Matthew owned would remain his, with no claim to it on my part after marriage. We'd split all household expenses down the middle. And every purchase I made would need his approval beforehand. If I wanted reimbursement, I'd have to provide receipts.

I almost laughed.

Matthew and I had been together for five years. I'd never pretended our families were on equal footing. I'd never expected him to fund my lifestyle, and I'd never asked him for expensive gifts.

But five years of being together apparently meant nothing.

One accusation from Jessica had been enough to make him question every single thing about me.

I tore the agreement in half and threw the pieces at his face.

"Don't ever come near me again. I'm sick of all of you."

Matthew looked genuinely taken aback.

Then, as I turned to leave, he called after me.

"Lauren, you don't have to put on this act. If you want something out of this, just say so. I don't appreciate being manipulated."

"I'll give you one chance. Just tell me what you want."

I kept walking.

Behind me, he was still talking as if I were going to turn around, apologize, and ask him to take me back.

He still didn't get it.

I wasn't asking him for anything. I hadn't been asking him for anything all these years.

I was simply done.

Once I was outside, I took out my phone and called my boss.

"Michael, I've made my decision."

"I'll take the transfer to Australia."