After I Left, My Ex Learned I Was a Billionaire's Daughter

The night before my wedding, I accidentally called Rick Gravesthe 38-year-old Rick Graves.

I asked him, breathless, So we've been married for years already? Do we have kids? Are we happy?

Because tomorrow, we were getting married.

But the line went quiet for a moment, and then he told me.

Don't go through with the wedding.

On our wedding night, I cheated on you with your best friend. I never cut things off with her. Not for the next five years.

Eventually she and I had a child together. You developed depression, but you refused to divorce me no matter what, and you ended up in a psychiatric facility.

Agatha Henson, I don't want to watch you end up like that. So don't marry me.

Is that so?

I stood frozen in place for a long time, the pain in my chest beyond anything I could name.

Then I'll break up with him

The words had barely left my mouth when howling laughter exploded from the other end of the line.

Oh my god, she actually believed you were 38-year-old Rick Graves! She was really going to break up with you! This is priceless!

What a stupid, gullible little puppy. It was that obvious, and she still didn't figure out this was just a bet between us!

I went numb. Rick laughed again from the other endthat doting, indulgent laugh

but it was directed at my best friend.

So I win. Lois Sullivanmarry me?

Twist after twist, blow after blow. I stood there like I'd been struck by lightning.

I couldn't move. I couldn't think.

You're not the 38-year-old Rick Graves?

I sounded like an idiot asking it, and the laughter on the other end only got louder.

Rick's voice dripped with mockery.

What, you think you're in a novel?

A phone call to the future? There's no '38-year-old me.' That was just an excuse I made up to trick you.

And only someone as dumb as you would actually fall for it.

So even this phone call had been a scheme they'd planned together.

A bet they'd cooked up for fun.

I gripped my phone so hard my knuckles ached, and looked down at the wedding ring on my left hand. All I felt was the bitter absurdity of it.

The mocking laughter kept going, and my first instinct was to hang up.

But then Lois's voice cut through.

Fine. I'll give you one chance to put a ring on my finger. Tomorrow, in front of everyone. I want the whole world to see you propose to me.

Rick agreed without a second's hesitation.

If Miss Sullivan wants it, Miss Sullivan gets it.

I was left on the line like an afterthought, blood cooling inch by inch.

The call still hadn't ended. I was starting to wonder if even that was deliberateanother piece of Rick's game.

I drew a slow breath. Rick. Where are you right now?

The apartment.

I grabbed my bag and rushed downstairs, hailing a car to the wedding apartment.

It was in an upscale complex, a place Rick and I had spent half a year choosing together. Perfect location, perfect layout.

I'd paid half the down payment. I'd managed every detail of the renovation myself.

Rick had gone along with me every time I filmed the progress, both of us counting down to the day we'd finally move in as husband and wife.

We had already put so much into this.

I refused to believe he really treated all of it as nothing more than a game.

I pushed open the apartment door and went rigid where I stood.

The place was trashed. Beer bottles and sunflower-seed shells everywhere, like a bomb had gone off.

On the table sat a bottle of red wine and a few small dishes, as though someone had been celebrating.

And Rickhe had a grape between his lips, leaning in to press it into Lois's mouth.

I shoved the door open and the grape slipped from between themLoss of balance, Loss of pretense, their lips landing square on each other.

Cheers erupted around the room.

Lois swatted his chest with a coy little pout. You're awful, stealing a kiss like that!

Way to kill the mood.

Rick raised an eyebrow as though he'd expected me, and pulled Lois closer by the waist.

If Agatha hadn't shown up uninvited, I'd have won that round.

Lois bounced over and looped her arm through mine.

Agatha, perfect timing! Come play with us!

I shrugged her off without a word and fixed my eyes on Rick. No. I'm here to confirm one thing.

I forced the tremor out of my voice. What you said on the phonewas that real?

You told me you were Rick Graves at thirty-eight. You said you cheated with Lois on our wedding night. You said I ended up with depression

My voice came out heavy and broken. The room went quiet.

Lois slid her arm through mine again. Agatha, it was just a joke. You've never been the type who can't take one. Why so serious all of a sudden?

She pointed at the wedding dress crumpled on the floor. Look, the dress is all ready. We were going to bring it over later so you'd be the prettiest bride tomorrow

I glanced at the stains smeared across the hem and let out a bitter laugh.

Is there even a point anymore?

My eyes burned red. Rick, you don't think you owe me an explanation?

His voice came back flat and cold.

There's nothing to explain.

You heard everything just now, Agatha.

The marriage, that phone call to the future you made. All of it was fake.

Five years together. We've done everything there is to do. Marrying you? I couldn't feel less about it.

So yes, agreeing to marry you was just going through the motions. I never planned to show up at the wedding.

His words landed like a bat to the back of my head. The room spun.

A week ago, Rick had proposed. I'd been so happy I couldn't sleep for days.

Five years of dating, and I thought we'd finally made it through the hard part.

Back when he didn't have a cent, he'd scrape by on nothing, saving half a month's living expenses to buy me a cake that cost more than either of us could afford.

All so I could post it and not lose face to anyone in my feed.

Every time my family pressed us about when we'd get married, he'd look at me with reddened eyes and swear it.

Agatha, I swear, the day I have money, I'll give you a wedding so grand everyone will see me bring you home with pride.

That day was never going to come.

He watched me stand there in silence, eyes swollen and red.

Then he stepped closer and twisted the knife.

While you were buzzing around planning our wedding, I was checking into hotels with your best friend.

You were going on and on about something or other, and all I could see was how ripe Lois's lips looked. All I could think about was biting them.

I didn't hear a single word you said.

My nails bit into my palms and the cold flooded through me all at once, bone-deep.

Rick, we've been together five years. We finally

Agatha.

He cut me off, impatient. Weren't you listening? I'm proposing to Lois tomorrow.

I'll admit you were the only woman I ever loved. And when I loved you most, I really did want to marry you.

Every time I made you get an abortion, I was on my knees in the hospital corridor slapping myself in the face.

But love doesn't owe anyone a reason.

Now that I've found Lois, I finally understand. She's the one I love.

My face was draining of color, and he could see it.

Lois stepped forward and cut him off. Enough, Rick! Can't you see how awful she looks? Stop talking

She turned to me, all worry and warmth. Aggie, don't listen to him. He's just messing with you. Tomorrow's your wedding

I lifted my eyes and stared at the woman in front of me through swollen, reddened lids.

My best friend. Or so I'd believed.

When she had nothing left and nowhere to go, I'd wired her every last cent I had so she could make rent.

Her first job was one I'd found for her.

When a mugger came at her with a knife, I threw myself in front of it without thinking.

I was covered in blood, and she held me and cried and swore we'd be best friends for life.

This best friend.

She stole my boyfriend and drove the knife in when I was at my weakest.

Lois, what wedding are you even talking about?

Didn't you hear him? The person he wants to marry is you.

Drop the act. It's sickening.

Lois's eyes brimmed with tears. Aggie, I

Who are you calling sickening? Don't push your luck, Agatha.

Rick's expression shifted first. He pulled Lois behind him.

I'm the one who doesn't want to marry you. If you want to hate someone, hate me. Leave her out of it.

I shook my head with a bitter half-laugh.

Then I looked down, slid the wedding ring off my finger, and held it out to Lois.

This belongs on your hand anyway.

Lois frowned slightly and glanced back at Rick.

Your castoffs? Why would you give those to hershe's not here to pick up your trash.

Rick scoffed, snatched the ring, and stuffed it back into my pocket.

If there's nothing else, you should go. We have a party to get back to.

Telling me to leave. Not even pretending otherwise.

I let my gaze travel around the room. Every pair of eyes was on me.

Some pitying. Some mocking. Some just there for the show.

I gave a dry, self-mocking smile and left them with one last thing.

Rick, I put two hundred and thirty thousand into renovating this apartment. Four hundred thousand toward the down payment. I want it back.

Rick laughed like I'd told the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

You're seriously keeping score with me, Agatha?

Why wouldn't I? You're the CEO of Northstar Group. Don't tell me you can't even come up with that.

The moment the words left my mouth, his expression turned ugly.

Watch what you say.

He grabbed my arm and shoved me toward the door. These are all people from the same circles, Agatha. You spread lies like that, how am I supposed to show my face here?

Whether it's a lie or the truth, you know better than anyone.

I raised my voice on purpose. Go ahead, Rick. Add it up yourself. Five years togetherhow much of your money did I spend, and how much of mine did you spend?

Can you even do the math?

If there's no wedding, fine. Then let's settle every last cent.

I dropped those words, ignored the look on his face, and walked out.

I didn't sleep that night.

By the time the sky turned gray with dawn, I was sitting up with dark circles under my eyes, dialing a number.

Dad. I'll do it. I'll come home and get married.

My father was quiet for a long time after hearing that. When he finally spoke, it came out as a sigh.

Agatha. You've finally come to your senses. Though I wish it hadn't cost you five years to figure it out.

A girl like you, raised with everything, sheltered your whole life. You've never really suffered.

You and a man like Rick Graves, someone who clawed his way up from nothing. You were never the same.

You two were never meant for each other.

Now that you've come to your senses, pack your things and come home.

I nodded, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. Okay.

Five years my father told me Rick Graves was wrong for me. Five years I didn't listen.

When I first met him, he was nobody. A broke kid with nothing to his name.

These last couple of years he'd ridden the boom and made some fast money, but even so, not a cent of it was ever spent on me.

He couldn't even buy our wedding apartment without me covering half the down payment.

Whenever I was tight on cash, he'd hold me close and say, Agatha, the company's still in its growth phase. There are so many places the money needs to go.

I promise, everything I earn in the future will be yours.

We're a team, right? What's the difference whose wallet it comes from?

I'd nod and think that made sense.

So I kept handing over money, again and again, like a fool.

Never knowing that in some bar I'd never set foot in,

Rick talked about me the way you'd talk about an idiot.

Agatha's such an idiot. She believes anything I tell her. Last month I dropped tens of thousands on a Chanel bag for Lois.

Meanwhile she's had a Coach bag sitting in her cart for over two weeks and still can't bring herself to buy it.

The night I found out, I was ice-cold when he walked through the door. I asked him why he'd said those things.

Rick just pulled me into his arms with an explanation ready. Agatha, I had no choice. That crowd is full of sharks. The clients are just like that.

I have to match my words to whoever I'm dealing withthat's how you close deals, how you make money, how we pay for the apartment.

And once again, I was naive enough to forgive him.

Only now did I finally understand what everyone had been saying all along.

In those people's eyes, that's exactly what I was: stupid, gullible, and still tripping over herself to throw money at a man who never spent a dime on her.

But this time,

the doormat opened her eyes.

First thing the next morning, I packed two full boxes and threw every last thing into the dumpster.

The cleaning lady's eyes went wide.

Sweetheart, you're throwing all of this away?

She fished through the boxes, pulling out brand-new thermoses and handbags. These are perfectly good. What a waste

My voice was calm. I don't want any of it.

Take whatever you like.

These were every gift Rick had given me over five years. Nothing expensive, but there were a lot of them.

Look closely, though, and every single one was cheap. The kind of thing you'd be embarrassed to show anyone.

I turned and walked away. Behind me, the cleaning lady was still shaking her head and muttering.

Kids these days. No sense of how to hold on to things.

I'd already booked a flight for three days from now.

Until then, I had to resign from my job and give up my lease.

After finishing the paperwork at the office, I thought about asking a friend to walk around Liberty Square with me, clear my head. But the moment I opened my chat window, I froze.

In this entire city, my only close friend was Lois Sullivan.

I put the phone down and went alone.

Then I heard the cheering up ahead.

In the center of Liberty Square, surrounded by balloons, Rick was down on one knee, gently sliding the ring he'd had custom-made for me onto Lois Sullivan's finger.

The crowd erupted. Say yes! Say yes!

I stood where I was, perfectly still, and felt my eyes blur with tears before I even realized it was happening.

Then someone in the crowd spotted me and shouted.

Isn't that Agatha?

Knew ittotal doormat. She slammed the door yesterday like she was really done, and here she is again, pathetically showing up on her own.

Don't tell me she's trying to get him back?

Rick heard the murmurs too and turned, surprise flashing across his face.

Agatha, what are you doing here? Don't tell me you came to cause a scene. I already told you I was proposing to Lois today

Who you propose to has nothing to do with me anymore.

I glanced down at the diamond ring and let out a cold, scornful laugh.

I just feel sorry for Lois. Even her proposal ring is one I didn't want.

Lois frowned slightly. Agatha, you're mistaken. This ring

Rick cut her off with a derisive scoff.

Agatha, why don't you flip the ring over and look inside. Is your name on it?

My heart dropped. Only then did I think to turn the band over.

Engraved inside were Lois Sullivan's initials.

The ring had never been made for me. Not from the very beginning.

I turned to leave, but Rick grabbed my wrist.

Agatha, just behave. Don't make a fuss.

I'll keep things the way they were. Set you up in a villa, keep you fed and clothed for the rest of your life. You won't have to worry about a thing.

The only thing you can't have is the status of wife.

Other than that, whatever you want, I'll give it to you. Five years as my girlfriendI have to say, you performed very well. Quite memorable.

His gaze drifted over me, lazy and appraising, like a man sizing up something he owned.

You and Lois were best friends for years. I'm sure she wouldn't mind.

I wrenched free of his grip and stumbled back a step, unable to believe what I was hearing.

In your eyes, that's all I'm worth? Being the other woman?

Rick laughed, short and cruel.

Your mother was a mistress. Why can't you be one too?

I froze where I stood, something sharp twisting into my chest.

After my mother's divorce, she'd been forced into being another man's mistress. It was the most painful secret I'd ever carried.

I had never told a single soul.

Only when things between Rick and me were at their best, when marriage felt close enough to touch, did I finally lay it all bare.

I never imagined he'd turn it into a blade and drive it straight back into me.

My mother is my mother. I'm me. It's not the same

Beside him, Lois's laughter grew sharper.

How is it any different?

A whore trying to put up a chastity arch. You knew full well Rick didn't want to marry you, and you still clung to him like a leech.

Agatha, doesn't that make you even cheaper than your mother?

Her eyes roamed over me with that same lazy contempt, then stopped at my chest.

What's that?

Before I could react, she snatched the necklace from around my neck and ripped it free.

Give it back.

Panic flooded through me instantly.

But Rick stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

She just wants a look. What's the rush? It's not going to kill you.

I looked at Rick, nearly begging.

Please, make her give it back. It's the only thing you ever gave me

If even that was taken from me, then those five years I'd thrown away were nothing but a complete and total joke.

Rick stared at me for a moment, something almost amused flickering behind his eyes.

You really do treasure that thing.

It's the key to a safe.

He'd held me in his arms back then and told me the safe was filled with everything he'd prepared as my wedding fund.

My mother had become a mistress and stopped caring about me entirely.

To be with Rick, I'd nearly severed ties with my father.

Because he felt for me, Rick had promised to fill a safe with my wedding fund for the day I married him.

He'd even had the key made into a pendant and hung it around my neck himself.

He'd said, Agatha, this is the confidence I'm giving you. Your backing and your safety net.

No matter what happens down the road, you'll have this. A way out, if you ever need one.

Those words moved me for five years.

So even after I'd lost everything else, I held on to that keymy last keepsake.

Lois noticed how anxious I was and got a sudden gleam in her eye. A safe? I had no idea there was a safe.

If you don't take me to see it, I'm not saying yes to your proposal

She pouted, pretending to sulk, and Rick laughed indulgently and pulled her in by the waist.

It's nothing valuable. Not worth the trip.

I felt a flash of gratitude, thinking he still wanted to spare me that much.

But Lois wouldn't let it go.

Rick finally sighed and ruffled her hair.

Fine, princess. If you insist, we'll go look.

I just don't want it dirtying your eyes.

He drove Lois to the wedding apartment without another word.

I was shoved into the car too, and the handful of friends who'd been watching tagged along for the show.

When the safe opened, I couldn't move.

The laughter around me was loud enough to bring down the ceiling.

What the hell? We thought it'd be something worth keeping, and it's a few packs of ratty sanitary pads!

Rick, you're unreal. Sanitary pads for a wedding fund?

And she ate it up! Five years on her knees for thisultimate simp of the century!

I turned to Rick, disbelief cracking through every part of me.

He smirked, cold and amused. Not my fault. Some people can't wait to throw themselves at you for free. I said one thing and she swallowed it whole.

Wore the key around her neck for five years like it was precious.

The blow of it sent me staggering backward until I hit a sharp edge, shattering the glass behind me.

Shards drove into my palm.

Gasps broke out around the room.

Jesus, that went deep!

She's bleeding everywhere. How many stitches is that gonna take?

Should we call an ambulance?

Rick's expression shifted. Agatha, you

I stared at the blood covering my hand, and all I could manage was a broken, bitter laugh.

Don't come near me!

You just destroyed the last memory I thought was real, Rick. We're done. For good.

For a reason he couldn't name, Rick felt a flash of panic and unease.

It passed. The sneer came back.

Let me guess, Agatha. You're breaking up with me again?

How many times have you said that in five years? And how many times did you actually leave?

Even Lois froze. Watching the blood run, something like guilt flickered across her face.

Agatha, you understand now, right?

The person Rick loves is me. I didn't steal him from youyou just couldn't keep him. So please, stop blaming me.

If you could just put all of that behind you, we'd still be the closest of friends

Let me take you to the hospital.

She reached for me, but I backed away, step after step, until I was out of her reach.

Get away from me. Both of you. I never want to see either of your faces again.

I turned and ran downstairs. The second I stepped outside, two bodyguards were already there, standing at attention.

Miss Henson. Chairman Henson sent us with the helicopter.

The moment they saw my hand, their expressions hardened. Get the private doctor. Now. Dress Miss Henson's wound.

Miss Henson, we'll land directly at the best hospital in Southhaven.

After I left, the restlessness gnawing at Rick only got worse. He threw every last one of the onlookers out.

But Lois was still shaken. She tugged at his arm, voice careful.

Rick, don't you think we went too far just now?

She only just found out about us. And today was supposed to be your weddingyou're the one who stood her up.

I was angry, that's all. I said those awful things on purpose to get under her skin

Lois glanced down at the blood covering the floor and bit her lip.

She was hurt that badly, and she just ran out like that. What if something happens to her?

Rick said nothing. His expression wasn't good.

Lois pressed on. Maybe you should check the hospital? I just don't know which one she'd go to.

Rick let out a cold scoff.

Northbridge First Hospital. Obviously.

He could find her with his eyes closed.

But when he arrived at Northbridge First Hospital, the staff told him otherwise.

Agatha Henson? She hasn't been here today