11
377words
“Oh,right,people with sticky fingers don’t get into our school!”
My hunger for wealth peaked.
I sang in bars,sometimes sold alcoholic drinks—jobs I’d once scorned.
I used to be poor but proud,a scholar.
Not anymore.
What’s pride worth?
I had confidence to pretend to be an heiress.
But I never expected Ethan to fall for me.
I attributed it to trust-fund kid camaraderie.
He was generous—gifts,money transfers,constant.
Looking back,my facadewas maintained because of his financial support.
He was too good to me.
When Rachel posted“proof”of my theft on the school forum,I ran away immediately.
I couldn’t face Ethan.
Deep down,I was ashamed,too cowardly to make a confession.
Then I got pregnant.
The timing was awful.
Abroad,I had little money,but the school I had applied to in advance offered dorms.
I felt the baby grow,thrilled by each faint kick.
I wanted to keep it,but it wasn’t feasible.
I stalled until the doctor warned of life-threatening risks.
I made the decision that day.
I bought a burial plot,dropped out,and lay alone on a cold operating table.
The sensation of losing that life—I’d never forget it.
I felt aimless for months before re-enrolling.
My strength was gone.
I had no motivation.
No hope.
Until Ryan found me.“Why stay in London?You’re trapped by pain.”
“Return home.Start fresh.”
Fresh start?
My heart stirred.
Light flooded in.
I opened my eyes.
The sharp smell of antiseptic hit me.
A hospital.
Ethan sat beside me.
I shifted,and he noticed instantly,our eyes met in silence.
Finally,he muttered,“I’ll get the doctor.”
After the checkup,he sat again.
“Ethan,”I whispered,“I can’t have kids anymore.”
He covered my hand with his.“Just us two,forever,and that is enough.”
I gripped his hand.“I’ll never lie to you again.”
“Lie if you want—I’ll take it willingly.”
…
Years later,I asked Ethan why he loved me.
He laughed.“Maybe that Chanel you wore on day one was too fake.”
I huffed.“Why didn’t you point it out to me?”
He grinned.“The Chanel was fake,but you were gorgeous.”
I didn’t believe him,pressing him.
He relented.“After taking the SATs,I backpacked cross-country.First bar I hit,there you were,singing.”
“I thought,a voice that beautiful—I want her as my girlfriend.”
His love had nothing to do with money.
He hadn’t lied.
