Everything I'd said to her moments ago? Gone. Erased. As if the words had never left my mouth.

She stepped out of our car and slid into his.

Something cracked open in my chest—sharp, hollow, spreading. It wasn't jealousy. Jealousy would have been easier. This was loneliness so thick it pressed against my lungs, made each breath feel borrowed.

The taillights shrank into the distance.

I stood there for a long time. Then I went home.

---

Past ten o'clock when I unlocked the door. The TV blared. Mom, Dad, and my younger brother huddled in the living room like they'd been waiting for me—or waiting for something.

Mom smiled and walked over. "Liam, what took you so long?"

"I just... missed you guys." The lie scraped my throat. "Wanted to see you and Dad."

Dad chuckled from the sofa. "You've got a big-shot CEO girlfriend and you still miss us? Speaking of which—where is she? Didn't come up?"

He didn't wait for an answer.

"Your mother and I were just saying—when you two get married and have a kid, we'll move in. Help with the baby. It'll be nice, the whole family under one roof—"

"Dad."

The word came out flat. Dead.

"I'm not marrying her."

His smile froze. "What did you say?"

"I want to break up with her."

"Shut up!"

His face twisted, all pretense gone. "You useless thing! Did I raise you for nothing? I was counting on you to marry into wealth so this family could finally *live*. And now you want to break up? On your own initiative?"

My brother jumped in, sneering. "Bro, you think too highly of yourself. She's *Natalie Henson*. Dynasty money. Countless men would kill for a chance, and they don't even get close. You have the golden ticket and you don't know how to cherish it?"

He scoffed. "What, you feel 'wronged'? Suck it up. A rich heiress choosing *you* is a blessing you must've cultivated over eight lifetimes. She picks you—not the other way around. Look at your status compared to hers."

Mom's voice went shrill. "Liam, your brother's right. Whatever grievances you have, swallow them. We already agreed on the terms—the dowry includes three villas and nearly ninety million in cash. If you back out now, what about your brother? Where's he going to get money for a bride price? Are you trying to cut off his future?"

I looked at them. These familiar faces. No warmth. No concern. Just hunger.