Chapter 7
Before leaving, I told him to pay me back the money I’d lent him in high school for his grandma’s surgery.
Plus the car repair costs could come out of that too.
I’d already returned the ten grand Lily transferred me that day.[]
I’d never thought about asking him to pay me back before–after all, when I said “marry me to pay me back,” he actually did.[]
Asking for money back after breaking up would make me no different from those scumbags who demand all their gifts back post–breakup.
I had pride–couldn’t pull that shit.
But I realized having pride was useless–money was what mattered.[]
Otherwise why would River think ten grand would make me come crawling back?]
4
9
*
W
W
W
”
See? He claimed to love me but clearly knew I was struggling, yet his first thought wasn’t concern–it was using that to manipulate me.[]
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
Besides, asking for this money back didn’t make me feel guilty.[]
He’d originally said he’d pay it back–hell, he even wrote me an IOU.]
We just both forgot about it after we got together.]
In my tiny apartinent.[]
Bennett lifted his shirt so I could put medicine on his back.]]
After I finished, we sat there in silence.
**
I sighed and was about to speak when Bennett suddenly grabbed both my hands: “Jade, please don’t make me leave, okay?”
I quietly pulled my hands free: “We’re from different worlds–this won’t work
out.”
He grabbed my hands again: “Jade, what are you thinking? You really think I’m some rich playboy from Boston?”
“You used to be Boston’s royalty yourself–don’t you know whether someone like me exists in those circles?“]
I blinked, confused.
Bennett: “Come on, let me show you my ‘family empire.“[]
He drove me to the next town over to visit his family’s 8,000–square–foot pig farm.[]
Turns out when he talked about inheriting the family business, he meant inheriting his family’s pig farm.[]
He said their pig operation used to be way smaller with fewer workers–as a kid he even had to help feed the pigs.
His mom couldn’t stand it and divorced his dad, taking Bennett overseas.
He grew up abroad while his dad never gave up on pig farming, always wanting Bennett to come back and inherit the business.[
In college he took animal husbandry classes and his mom got so pissed she cut off his allowance.]
That’s when he discovered my TikTok clips on the international version.
Took him forever to track down my actual account and follow me.
e.]
Bennett: “I’m not some pampered rich boy like you’re imagining.“]]
I stammered: “But…“]
Bennett said through gritted teeth: “If you keep talking about us being from different worlds, I’m gonna kiss you to death.”
Bennett was a liar–I clearly didn’t keep talking but he kissed me anyway.]
Right there in his family’s pig pen.[]
Until the pigs behind us started oinking from hunger, then he finally let me go.[]
He expertly poured the mixed pig feed into the trough behind us.[]
His movements were even smoother than my corn dog technique.[]
Damn, damn, life’s tough for everyone~[]
I still couldn’t bring myself to reject Bennett.[]
After we got together, I told him to stop helping me with the cart and food delively
streams.
and especially to quit throwing money at my
He ignored the first two requests, but for the third one he switched to direct bank transfers with “voluntary gift” in the memo.]]
We did have our fights. On my birthday he said he wanted me to take the day off so he could take me somewhere special.]
I refused.[]
I actually knew Bennett had prepared a surprise proposal.[]
But I was scared.
Responsibility can crush a person–we had a huge fight that day.[]
He stormed out pissed.
When I was packing up my cart stuff to leave, I found him sitting right outside my door.[]
Seeing me come out, he jumped up with red–rimmed eyes: “Jade, you’re so heartless. I left mad and you didn’t even chase after me. Do you even love me?“]
I opened my mouth to respond but he immediately covered it.[]
Don’t say anything if it’s gonna hurt–I’m stuck on you for life anyway, so don’t even think about dumping me.
Then he snatched my stuff and stomped ahead looking all fierce.[]
