Bankrupt

My boyfriend went bankrupt and broke up with me.

I disagreed.

He said, "Then do you dare to apply for a marriage license with me?"

1

I got married to Evan Bradley.

Coming out of the marriage registration office, I'm so nervous that my hands were trembling.

Did I really just get married like that?

And to a man who just gone bankrupt and whom I had only been on seven dates with.

"Do you regret it?" Evan asked, raising an eyebrow as he noticed that I was distracted.

I was hesitating about how to answer this tricky question when my mom called in.

"Madeline, I heard from your dad that Mr. Bradley's company went bankrupt and he was in debt. You haven't done anything with his son, right?"

Blushing, I glanced at the man in front of me and whispered, "No."

"Good. Break up with him now, do you hear?" My mom said.

"Okay." I replied. I was suddenly hesitated to take him home.

"And if he asks you for money, don't borrow it!" My mom didn't notice my hesitation and warned me again.

"Got it." I said.

Feeling guilty, I hung up the phone, When I looked up, I met Evan's joking gaze.

With my mom's loud voice, he must have heard everything she just said.

"Shall we go back in? This time, I'll pay for it." Evan said.

"Do you... do you still have money in your account?" I asked tentatively.

"Yes," Evan replied calmly.

"How much?" I added.

"About five million dollars," he said after thinking for a moment, but didn't seem very certain.

"So much?" I said. I was a bit surprised; even after going bankrupt, he still had so much money.

He looked at me as if I were a fool and said, "The bank frozen it all. I can't withdraw anything."

After saying that, he took out his wallet to show me, apart from several cards, there was only a crisp new ten dollars note inside.

"I only have enough cash to afford a divorce fee." He said.

I had nothing more to say. Just kept silent.

He was in such a tough sledding. If I let him pay, what kind of person would I be?

"Can it be unfrozen?" I asked without hope.

As expected, he looked at me with a hint of pity and said, "I still owe the bank a one billion."

"How... how much?" I asked, shocked. I almost bit my tongue, wondering if I was hearing things.

He didn't answer directly but changed his tone, saying, "Besides the bank, I also turning to private lenders for a loan and owe suppliers. It should add up to over 3 billion."

"Do you need me to help repay it?" I asked.

Looking at the balance in my bank account, I suddenly felt that marrying him was a hasty decision.

Should I let him find a rich woman instead?

"No need." He said. He patted my head and smiled. "Just provide a place to stay." He added.

"Oh ok." I said.

2

As we passing by the subway station, I got him a transit card and loaded it with 200 dollars, handing it to him.

He didn't take it.

Blushing, I explained, "We'll take the bus back later."

The bus to my rented place had a direct route from here, and it only cost 80 cents with the card.

The subway fare was 3 dollars, no discounts available.

Saving 2.20 dollars might be a drop in the ocean, but every penny counts.

"No need." He said. He calmly took the card and put it in his pocket, saying, "I'll have someone come to pick me up."

"Is it a friend?" I asked. During our dates, he introduced me to several friends, each time a different people.

They seemed like fair-weather friends, always drinking or playing cards. I didn't expect that they could continue to hang out together after his bankruptcy.

Maybe I underestimated their friendship.

"A creditor," he smiled and said, looking indifferent.

I was speechless. I really did underestimate them.

The car arrived quickly, and the person who came to pick him up was a man in his thirties wearing glasses.

He was respectful to Evan and didn't mention the debt during the ride.

As we neared home, Evan suddenly asked the driver to stop the car.

"Is there any money in the card?" Evan asked.

The man in glasses turned around, looking fearful. "Evan, you still owe me 20 million dollars from last time!" "Add it to the tab, I will pay it back next time." Evan said and extended his hand.

The man reluctantly opened his wallet, pulled out a card, and handed it over, saying, "Use it sparingly."

Evan ignored him and pulled me out of the car.

I was a bit nervous, unsure why he suddenly borrowed money. I whispered to him, "My salary is 9, 500 dollars. If we budget carefully, it's enough for us to live on."

With over three billion dollars in debt, what's another hundred thousand?

This was a debt incurred after our marriage, making it a joint liability!

Evan paused for a moment, then patted my head and said, "I just want to buy you a wedding ring. From now on, I'll listen to you."

His reminder made me realize that in our rush to marry, we hadn't even bought rings.

"I'll pay for the ring. Return the card to him," I insisted saying.

Evan remained silent appearing hesitant.

The man with glasses chimed in, advising, "Miss, let him buy the ring. He's already in debt for over three billion; a few hundred thousand more won't matter."

His word sound so reasonable, I have nothing to say.

With the creditor's permission, Evan confidently took me to the jewelry department of a shopping mall.

3

After purchasing the wedding ring, Evan looked displeased, thinking the diamond ring I chose was too cheap.

Looking at the 88, 000 dollars diamond ring on my left hand's ring finger, I felt that he had a skewed understanding of the word "cheap."

Fortunately, after my insistence, he wore the ring.

Now, those flirty types women outside should know this bachelor was off the market.

4

Back home, Evan took a few phone calls.

He stood straight on the balcony, and I vaguely heard him discussing matters regarding houses and cars.

It seemed all his assets were being auctioned off to pay debts.

I wasn't worried. If he could owe so much, he could surely repay it.

After all, he was a top student from a prestigious university, the kind of 'model child' my parents always admired.

After his calls, I had finished washing the vegetables and was about to start cooking.

He took over, saying, "Living in your place, eating your food, let me handle the chores."

"Okay." I didn't argue. As someone who had been single for 26 years, my cooking skills were abysmal.

I usually ordered takeout for meals, and the groceries in the fridge were still from when my mother bought them last time.

I had experienced Evan's cooking skills during our third date.

That time he drove his luxury car worth over five million dollars, took me to his apartment, and cooked for me.

That night, he coaxed me to stay over, but I nervously declined.

By the sixth date, I felt we were from different worlds.

I hesitated about whether to break up with him or not.

Then he went bankrupt.

At this point, breaking up would seem somewhat unethical.

His provocation let us to get married first, feeling like we were in a dream.

"What are you thinking about?" Evan asked and nudged me with his hip.

"Nothing." I replied, I quickly turned my head, avoiding his probing gaze.

He picked up a piece of freshly stir-fried bok choy and offered it to me, saying, "Try it. Is it salty?"

I opened my mouth, feeling both shy and nervous.

"Not salty." I said.

"Really?" He looked at my lips suspiciously and said, "Let me taste."

"Okay." I replied.

As soon as I spoke, he suddenly cupped my chin with one hand and leaned in...

5

As we kissed, Evan suddenly embraced me tightly.

His warm breath brushed against my ear, saying, "A bit salty."