Chapter 2

When I got back from my billionaire dad’s place, Scarlett was in the study, on the phone with a friend.

Her friend on the other end was excitedly suggesting,

“Scarlett, I heard Liam Stone is even going to sell himself off for you! Is he filming explicit content, or just literally selling himself?”

“Nearly a hundred billion? Filming isn’t enough for that. But a hot guy like him must be worth tens of millions a night, right?”

“The men Scarlett plays with always taste good. Let me go first when you’re done.”

Their vulgar words pierced my ears, one after another. I stood at the study door, clutching the marriage certificate I’d just signed with Seraphina Sterling so tightly my knuckles turned white.

I’d been with Scarlett for five years, and I’d paid off her debts twice.

The first time, she said the company’s funds had dried up. I sold the house my mom left me to help her.

Scarlett knelt before me, tears streaming down her face, promising, “Liam, I swear I’ll marry you.”

But then, as I worked non-stop for her, took on terrible roles and got ripped apart by fans, or drank with investors until I landed in the hospital, she came to me again.

She claimed the company had been scammed and needed three hundred million to get it back.

I didn’t blame her. I just worked even harder to help.

She hugged me, touched, and said she’d love me forever.

I just never imagined she’d been lying to me the entire time.

“Alright, this drama is definitely going to be epic.”

Scarlett hung up the phone, laughing as she walked out. When she saw my pale face, a flicker of panic crossed her eyes.

“Honey, why are you back so early?”

“What’s that in your hand?”

I shoved the marriage certificate into my bag, trying to be casual, and forced a smile. “Nothing, just a little trinket from a fan.”

Scarlett didn’t seem suspicious. She grabbed my hand, looking apologetic.

“Honey, you’ve been through so much because of me. This nearly hundred billion debt… I just don’t know what to do.”

“Maybe… maybe you should leave me. Don’t let me drag you down.”

She even teared up, putting on an act of thinking only of me.

In the past, I would have immediately told her, “Everything’s going to be okay. I’ll handle it.”

“I’ll face it with her.”

But now, I just stared blankly at the brooch on her dress.

That brooch was a unique, limited edition. Not long ago, the mysterious tycoon who lavished billions on his secretary just to make her smile wore the exact same one.

She was willing to blow billions for a smile, yet couldn't pay off a hundred billion debt.

And I, with nothing, was about to sell myself for her.

It turns out my sincerity meant absolutely nothing to her.

Seeing my prolonged silence, Scarlett pulled her hand away, a hurt expression on her face.

“Liam, I know I have nothing right now. It’s normal that you don’t want to help me.”

“I love you. I don’t want to burden you, but I was just about to…”

She paused, pulling a ring from her pocket. “I was even ready to marry you.”

It was the same old pity play. Because I loved her, she only needed one trick to fool me.

“Liam, I promise this is the last time. Once this debt is paid off, we’ll get married, okay?”

I looked at her seemingly earnest expression and suddenly remembered Seraphina Sterling’s shy smile from that afternoon when we signed the papers, and the snacks she’d thoughtfully prepared for me, knowing I hadn't had lunch.

Suddenly, I felt like none of it mattered anymore. If, at first, I had wanted to confront her and ask questions.

Now, I just felt exhausted. All I wanted to do was pack my things and leave.

I calmly pushed her hand away. “But Scarlett, I’m out of money.”