Chapter 2The Winning Ticket: Dumping the Leech

He was completely bewildered by my attitude, slightly dumbfounded.

For three years of dating, he had always held the upper hand in our relationship.

Ever since he saved me from some thugs, the suspension bridge effect made me think I was desperately in love with him.

Before, to save two dollars on bus fare, I would walk three stops with him under the scorching sun.

To protect his fragile ego, I scrambled to pay the bill at gatherings with friends, only to eat instant noodles for a week afterward.

Even when I first started working and barely had any money myself, if he wanted an iPhone, I would get it for him, even if it meant a 24-month payment plan.

It seemed that whenever he frowned, I would reflect on what I had done wrong.

He probably thought I was still that soft touch who would obediently fork over money as long as he coaxed me a little or threw a tantrum.

But I wasn't anymore.

I didn't love him anymore.

I didn't even bother looking at him. Instead, I admired myself in the mirror wearing the mink coat, humming a tune.

Looking completely disinterested in engaging with him.

Arthur couldn't stand it!

He slammed his hand hard on the coffee table.

"Chloe, I am very unhappy right now. I don't like this version of you!"

"You used to be sensible, you used to know how to live practically. How did you become so vain and materialistic?"

"Acting like this will only make me hate you!"

Seeing I didn't respond, he took a deep breath, pointed at the mink coat I was wearing, and spoke as if he were bestowing a favor.

"Since you cut the tag and can't return it, we'll let this slide. I won't hold it against you. But you have to make up for this loss."

"You definitely still have a lot of your year-end bonus left, right?"

"Hurry up and transfer twenty thousand to me; I need to go buy the massage chair first. I've already talked a big game to my mom. If I don't produce the goods for the New Year, we'll both lose face!"

"Lose both our faces?"

I covered my mouth and burst out laughing.

"We aren't even married; we're just boyfriend and girlfriend. Your mom is your mom, not mine. Why should I honor her? Besides, have I bought few things for your mom and sister over the past three years?"

"Have you ever bought anything for my parents, even once?"

Arthur guiltily avoided my gaze.

I still refused to let him off, sneering:

"Furthermore, you didn't work hard yourself and only got a $4,000 bonus. You can't even afford a $5,000 massage chair. What the hell does that have to do with me!"

Arthur's ego was bruised, his face turning the color of pig liver.

"Chloe, what do you mean? Are you saying I'm poor, a loser, and not good enough for you?"

He thought I would deny it, but unexpectedly, I nodded.

"Yes, a man who needs his girlfriend to pay for gifts for his own family is really nothing special."

"These past three years, you truly haven't been good enough for me."

Arthur went crazy, gasping for air.

"Apologize, Chloe, apologize immediately!"

"Otherwise, I'll break up with you right now!"

"Break up?"

Hearing me murmur these two words, Arthur straightened his back.

He thought I couldn't bear to let him go, waiting for me to compromise like before.

After all, he had used this excuse flawlessly over the years.

When I refused to buy his sister an iPad, he threatened to break up, and I compromised.

When I refused to transfer an $8,888 birthday red envelope to his mom, he threatened to break up, and I apologized and agreed.

But this time, I didn't want to compromise.

With $8 million hitting my bank account after winning the prize, my wallet was full, and I felt confident and smart.

I thought, being so young and so rich,

What kind of man couldn't I find?

I carefully examined Arthur.

For the first time, I judged him without the filter of being his girlfriend.

28 years old, no house, and the car was bought with my money.

Currently working as a low-level sales rep at a real estate company.

Because of all the business dinners, his belly was bigger than a 5-month pregnant woman's.

And because he didn't maintain a healthy lifestyle, his face was severely bloated.

He wasn't tall, about 5'8".

So average, so greasy.

Tsk tsk.

How did I ever fall for him?

I can't even remember!

Thinking of the photos of college boys my best friend sent me—all 6'1", sweet-talking, with abs.

I despised Arthur even more.

He was just like the trash I had cleared out of the apartment before.

Needed to be thrown out immediately.