The Five-Million-Dollar Breakup

I was the stand-in for Lilith Vance's unattainable love.

Later, her real love came back, and she shoved a three-million-dollar check at me.

We're done.

Last time, I refused to leave, and it ended badly.

But this time, I practically vibrated with excitement as I smacked the check back against her chest.

"Make it five million, and I'll vanish before you can blink."

I was reborn as a stand-in of Lilith Vance's unattainable love.

Two years ago, I was slinging burgers at a diner when Lilith Vance walked in.

She took one look at me and decided I was hers.

Her pursuit was relentless and blinding.

So I fell hard and fast.

Only later did I figure out the truth, I was just a placeholder.

Lilith paid me ten grand a month to play the part of her lost love, Lucian Reed.

And what did I do with that ten grand?

I spent every damn dime on gifts for her.

But I couldn't bring myself to buy a decent pair of socks for myself.

Last life, I loved Lilith Vance deeply.

And it literally destroyed me.

This life, my only plan is to grab the cash and run.

Far, far away.

Right now, I'm standing outside another swanky club.

It feels like the ten-thousandth time I've shown up to catch her cheating on me.

I push the door open.

There she is, Lilith Vance, perched on some guy's lap, kissing him desperately.

I muster my best wounded expression.

"Get off her."

Lilith's head snaps up. Her cold glare could freeze lava.

My heart sinks and I stop talking.

The guy she's draped over pipes up,

"Who's the chubby dude, Lilith?"

I glanced at this skinny guy.

"Yeah, you're a real lightweight," I shoot back.

"Bet you weigh five pounds soaking wet with rocks in your pockets."

"Shut your mouth!"

Lilith snaps.

I shrug.

"Lilith, come on. Let's go home."

She smirks coldly.

"You want me to leave? Fine. Drink this bottle."

She gestures to a bottle of premium Scotch on the table.

My stomach clenches just looking at it.

I am here for easy money playing a part, not a suicide pact.

Taking a deep breath, I backpedal.

"You know what? On second thought, I shouldn't interrupt your fun. I'll head out."

"Get back here," Lilith commands.

My feet freeze mid-step.

Lilith's moods change faster than a New York minute. Sometimes, I genuinely worry this gig might end with me dying before I get to spend a dime.

"You think you can just waltz in and out of here whenever you want?"

she asks, eyes flashing.

"What I am to you? A walking ATM?"

I gaze at her with practiced adoration.

"Of course not, sweetheart. You're my everything. I love you, baby."

Smooth lies roll off my tongue like honey.

A professional Casanova would tip his hat to me.

Lilith stares.

After a while of silence, she stands up.

Seriously?

I think to myself.

She's ready to leave?

I guess she still hasn't had enough fun teasing this scrawny guy.

The guy isn't happy.

He grabs her hand.

"Lilith, don't go!"

She yanks her hand away like he's diseased.

"Piss off!"

He looks at her, stunned and hurt.

I shake my head.

Lilith Vance is ice personified. All her warmth, every scrap of tenderness, belongs solely to Lucian Reed.

On the drive back to her ridiculously oversized penthouse, I sneak a glance at her face. I gotta admit that she was objectively stunning.

That explains why I was such a lovesick puppy last time.

But now?

Love?

Pfft.

Overrated. Staying alive and solvent is priority number one.

The second we're inside, I head straight for the bathroom mirror.

I stare at the reflection and talk to myself,

"I am still ridiculously handsome. Perfect!"

Then I pat my stomach.

Okay, maybe gained a little weight.

My digestive system's been working overtime lately, I guess.

Tomorrow, I'll get Lilith to sign me up for a gym membership and a top-tier spa package. Platinum level, obviously.

If I don't spend her money, who will?

Some other pretty boy?

Besides, if I stop looking like Lucian Reed, how am I supposed to keep cashing those checks?

This is Lilith Vance's big house. After a shower, I wander around, admiring her collection of ridiculously expensive antiques.

Each one probably costs more than my entire former life.

While I was still contemplating how to casually get Lilith to give me the antique as a gift, I saw her walking over with a grim expression.

She lunges, fingers digging into my throat.

"Who said you could wear Lucian's pajamas?!"

Holy crap. I knew she was volatile, but this is next-level crazy.

It's just pajamas!

And I haven't even complained about wearing someone else's hand-me-downs yet!

Lilith glares with venom in her voice.

"Remember who you are, Zane. You're just a stand-in. A cheap copy."

Seriously?

Even court jesters had more dignity than me. When one doesn't love you, even your breathing feels like a crime.

Suddenly, Lilith's phone buzzes.

Whatever the caller says makes her face drain of color.

She releases me instantly.

I know.

Lucian Reed is back.

Two years ago, Lilith and Lucian broke up from an argument.

Then, he stormed off to Europe.

Last time, I clung to her, begging her not to go see him.

She taught me a painful lesson.

Lilith pockets her phone, eyes locking onto me.

"Behave yourself. Don't cause trouble."

I nod rapidly.

"I'll change out of the pajamas right now."

Seizing the moment, I casually mention the gym and spa memberships.

Lilith shuts me down without a second thought.

"No!"

I was unhappy to be honest.

She's stingy, but I'm broke. I can't afford to lose this golden goose.

But it makes sense, though.

Lucian's back.

Why would she care about the fake one now?

"Hey," I venture,

"will you leave now?"

Lilith glares at me unpleasantly.

I duck my head, playing the concerned partner.

"I just didn't want to keep you from your business."

Lilith slams the door on her way out.

I clutch my chest, breathing deeply.

I was so scared.

Changed into my own pajamas, I pop open a bottle of '92 Lafite to calm my nerves.

Lilith doesn't come home all night.

Next morning, heading downstairs, I freeze. Lilith and Lucian are having breakfast.

My stomach knots.

I see the Ice Queen herself peeling an egg for him and dabbing his mouth.

She treats him like an invaluable treasure.

I've served her diligently for two years, yet I've never received such treatmentnot even a kind look.

I am like her servant, taking care of her everyday.

Suddenly, I feel pathetic.

Truly, deeply pathetic.

Lilith glances up.

"Bring the milk from the kitchen."

I head for the foyer to grab my shoes.

"Get it yourself. I'm heading out."

I got a mouth ulcer today, so I am not in the mood for licking boots.

Lilith frowns.

"Where are you going?"

Lucian's right there!

She wants two men at the same time?

"I got stuff to do. I will be back tonight."

Before Lilith stands up, Lucian catches her hand.

"Lilith, I'm back for good this time. No more stupid fights."

Lilith squeezes his hand back, leaning into his shoulder with a sickeningly sweet smile.

I hit the mall.

Time for shopping.

A guy's gotta treat himself right.

While browsing, I remember a card Lilith gave me ages ago.

I have never used it.

I rummage through my wallet, finally fishing it out.

Thank god.

It's still there.

I plant a big kiss on the card.

My one true love.

Lilith sits in her corner office, her phone buzzing incessantly on the desk.

Notification after notification shows all my spending spree.

By evening, I'm hauling bags back to the penthouse. Bodyguards trail behind me, arms laden, dumping luxury shopping bags until the living room looks like a high-end boutique exploded.

I point to a few select bags, beaming at Lilith.

"This one, this one, and this one are yours."

The rest are all mine. Every.

Lilith is pissed off.

Because I maxed out her card and got her three gifts.

Realizing my faux pas, I close my eyes, feigning deep emotional turmoil.

"Seeing you with Lucian this morning it messed me up. Guess I shopped my feelings."

After a dramatic pause, I grit my teeth, forcing out the words like they cost me blood.

"If you hate them I can return everything."

"Don't bother," Lilith cuts in, her gaze sharp.

"My mother knows Lucian was here. She's displeased. You're coming with me tomorrow to smooth things over."

Last life?

I licked Lilith's boots and her mother's.

The thought makes me want to gag.

She screws up, and I get to clean up the mess?

To be fair, Mrs. Vance was furious Lilith brought Lucian home. Always hated him.

Thought he was a snake, pure ambition wrapped in charm.

And Lucian?

His mind was a labyrinth of schemes.

Mrs. Vance preferred me C the simple, gold-digging pretty boy.

Yep. All I wanted was cash.

Purer than distilled water.

I nod.

"Sure."

The next day, Lilith drags me back to the Vance family mansion.

I present Mrs. Vance with a string of prayer beads I'd prepared.

"Mrs. Vance, I had these blessed at the cathedral. For your protection."

I subtly rub my knee, wincing.

Mrs. Vance notices.

"Zane, dear, your leg?"

"Oh, it's nothing," I wave it off.

"Just knelt for a few hours praying for these beads yesterday. No big deal."

Lilith's eyes flicker to me. Ah, so yesterday wasn't just shopping.

Mrs. Vance looks genuinely touched.

"Oh, Zane. That's so thoughtful of you."

I keep my smile humble. Women like her have seen every treasure imaginable. What they crave is the gesture.

She immediately orders a servant to fetch an antique vase for me.

This thing screamed

"obscenely expensive."

My eyes practically turned into dollar signs.

Prayer beads bought online for $9.99 swapped for a priceless antique?

Score.

I was Mrs. Vance's favorite pet project because I seemed so harmless, so content just being near Lilith.

While Lilith stepped away, Mrs. Vance leaned in conspiratorially.

"Zane, darling, as long as I draw breath, Lilith will not end up with that Lucian Reed."

"I'm backing you, understand?"

That was one hell of a promise. Too bad it was pure, indigestible fantasy.

Families like the Vances marry for power and connections.

What was I?

A nobody.

Not even on the list.

Mrs. Vance just wanted to use me to shove Lucian out of the picture.

Old foxes know all the tricks.

Last life, I swallowed that lie whole. Became her pawn.

Now?

My love-sickness is cured. No more swallowing empty promises.

I left the Vance mansion with the antique and sold it immediately.

Cash in pocket.

Peace of mind.

Since I'd charmed Mrs. Vance, Lilith was satisfied.

"Alright," she said, almost magnanimous.

"What do you want? A reward?"

I'd been waiting for this.

"The Lamborghini in your garage."

Lilith's eyes narrow, scrutinizing me. The old me was obsessed with her, sneered at material things.

I meet her gaze.

"I just want to drive you to work. More time together, you know?"

Last life, I died without ever taking that Lambo for a spin.

What a waste.

Lilith's voice is ice.

"Don't get delusional, Zane. Remember your place. You're a stand-in."

But she tosses me the keys anyway.

I gaze at her with soulful intensity.

"Lilith, no matter how you treat me I'll always love you."

I'll always love your money.

Lilith stares.

I hold the smile until my cheeks ache.

If I kept this up, I could give Oscar winners a run for their money.

That night, I took the Lambo out.

Cruised the city.

Oh, the feeling of crying in a luxury car?

Priceless.

Weekend.

Lilith takes me out to dinner.

Stepping out of the restaurant, she gets a call.

I wait nearby.

Suddenly, I spot Lucian Reed across the street.

A car speeds towards him.

He's oblivious.

My heart lurches into my throat.

Last life, right here, I deliberately pushed Lucian into that car's path.

Lilith had me beaten half to death for it.

A wave of panic hits me. I sprint towards him.

Too late. Lucian stumbles and falls onto the road.

Luckily, the car screeches to a halt just in time.

Lucian seems okay, just shaken.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

Lilith rushes over, frantic.

"Lucian! Are you hurt?"

Lucian shakes his head.

"I'm fine."

Lilith turns on me, face like a thundercloud.

"Zane Troy! What the hell were you thinking?"

Of course.She didn't even ask.

Guilty until proven innocent.

Before I can defend myself, the driver's door of the Maserati opens.

A woman steps out.

Legs for days.

Longer than my life expectancy.

It takes me a second.

Scarlett Lin.

Lilith Vance's arch-nemesis.

Scarlett looks coolly at Lucian.

"Ever heard of looking both ways? I honked three times."

True. Lucian wasn't paying attention.

Not Scarlett's fault.

"Sorry," Lucian mutters, dusting himself off.

"Was distracted."

Their exchange clearly absolves me of pushing him.

But Lilith?

Doesn't spare me a glance. Fussing over a tiny scrape on Lucian's hand.

"Does it hurt, darling?"

Seriously?

A grown man whimpering over a scratch?

Thank god I only love money now, not her.

Lilith takes Lucian's hand.

"Come on, we're going to the ER. Get checked out."

They head towards her car.

Lilith walks right past me. Doesn't even register I exist.

I watch the car pull away, a cold emptiness spreading in my chest.

Even a dog gets taken home after a walk.

But Lilith forgetting I exist?

Standard operating procedure.

Whatever.

Arguing with her is arguing with my bank account.

Pointless.

Scarlett Lin sizes me up.

"So. You're the pretty boy Lilith keeps on a leash?"

Damn.

I'm that obviously disposable?

Sharp eyes.

No wonder she's a business shark.

I flash her a grin.

"Not for much longer."

Because Lilith would soon be paying me to disappear.

That evening, Lilith came home to find me post-dinner, scrolling through real estate listings on my phone. Apartment?

Villa?

Decisions, decisions.

I was sprawled on the sofa.

From across the room, I swear I could smell the money radiating off her.

My heart did a little happy dance.

Lilith sat opposite me, pulled a check from her bag.

"We're done."

I bit my lip hard, fighting the grin threatening to split my face.

Last life?

I begged, pleaded, made a scene. Ended up broken.

What an idiot.

This life?

I'm grabbing opportunity by the wallet.

I stood up, vibrating with fake outrage, and smacked the check against her chest.

"Make it five million, and I'm gone before you can say 'gold digger'."