From Rags to Riches (Again)

From Rags to Riches (Again)

Gavin

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For seven long years, I, Ethan Vanderbilt, the heir to a vast real estate empire, played the part of a humble city planner. I sacrificed my ambitions, poured my family's wealth into funding my fiancée Chloe's "struggling artist" career, all for her, all for love. Tonight, at her prestigious art preview, my world shattered when she unveiled her centerpiece: a "wedding photo" of her and her best friend, Leo, eyes locked in an intimate smile that screamed betrayal. Leo, her "tragic muse," whose "degenerative heart condition" I suddenly realized was nothing but a manipulative lie designed to trap her. My entire seven-year relationship, our engagement, felt like a cruel, expensive joke. Chloe dismissed my shock, telling me I was "unsupportive" and that this public display of infidelity was merely "art" and a "powerful statement." How could she casually toss away years of my devotion, my secret identity, the life I' d put on hold for her, for this preposterous charade? But in that moment of profound clarity, a cold resolve settled over me. My bohemian charade was finally over. I pulled out my phone and texted my mother a single, decisive message: "Mom, I'm ready. I'll marry Sophia Sterling."

Introduction

For seven long years, I, Ethan Vanderbilt, the heir to a vast real estate empire, played the part of a humble city planner.

I sacrificed my ambitions, poured my family's wealth into funding my fiancée Chloe's "struggling artist" career, all for her, all for love.

Tonight, at her prestigious art preview, my world shattered when she unveiled her centerpiece: a "wedding photo" of her and her best friend, Leo, eyes locked in an intimate smile that screamed betrayal.

Leo, her "tragic muse," whose "degenerative heart condition" I suddenly realized was nothing but a manipulative lie designed to trap her.

My entire seven-year relationship, our engagement, felt like a cruel, expensive joke.

Chloe dismissed my shock, telling me I was "unsupportive" and that this public display of infidelity was merely "art" and a "powerful statement."

How could she casually toss away years of my devotion, my secret identity, the life I' d put on hold for her, for this preposterous charade?

But in that moment of profound clarity, a cold resolve settled over me.

My bohemian charade was finally over.

I pulled out my phone and texted my mother a single, decisive message: "Mom, I'm ready. I'll marry Sophia Sterling."

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Being second best is practically in my DNA. My sister got the love, the attention, the spotlight. And now, even her damn fiancé. Technically, Rhys Granger was my fiancé now-billionaire, devastatingly hot, and a walking Wall Street wet dream. My parents shoved me into the engagement after Catherine disappeared, and honestly? I didn't mind. I'd crushed on Rhys for years. This was my chance, right? My turn to be the chosen one? Wrong. One night, he slapped me. Over a mug. A stupid, chipped, ugly mug my sister gave him years ago. That's when it hit me-he didn't love me. He didn't even see me. I was just a warm-bodied placeholder for the woman he actually wanted. And apparently, I wasn't even worth as much as a glorified coffee cup. So I slapped him right back, dumped his ass, and prepared for disaster-my parents losing their minds, Rhys throwing a billionaire tantrum, his terrifying family plotting my untimely demise. Obviously, I needed alcohol. A lot of alcohol. Enter him. Tall, dangerous, unfairly hot. The kind of man who makes you want to sin just by existing. I'd met him only once before, and that night, he just happened to be at the same bar as my drunk, self-pitying self. So I did the only logical thing: I dragged him into a hotel room and ripped off his clothes. It was reckless. It was stupid. It was completely ill-advised. But it was also: Best. Sex. Of. My. Life. And, as it turned out, the best decision I'd ever made. Because my one-night stand isn't just some random guy. He's richer than Rhys, more powerful than my entire family, and definitely more dangerous than I should be playing with. And now, he's not letting me go.

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