Chapter 2The Billionaire's Budget Girlfriend

It was the first week back after the holidays. Seeing me arrive late, my colleagues snickered knowingly.

"Lily actually dared to come back? She's money-crazed. Causing a scene at Mr. Sterling's engagement, kneeling for money. Shameless!"

"She usually acts so high and mighty because she's been with the boss for seven years. My dog has more dignity begging for food than she did begging for money. Deserved!"

Ignoring the mockery, I walked straight into HR.

The HR manager sneered:

"I've already submitted the request. Once Mr. Sterling approves, you can pack up and leave. In your situation, don't expect any severance."

I nodded, said nothing, and left the company.

The sun was setting. The streets were filled with couples and families.

I was alone.

An immense loneliness washed over me.

My only family, my career of many years, and my lover—all gone.

I walked slowly down the path I had taken for seven years between home and work.

Memories flooded back.

When I was seven, my parents died in a car accident. Relatives took the compensation money, leaving me and grandma alone.

Later, grandma saved Julian, who had fallen off a cliff while hiking. She treated him like a grandson.

That's how I met Julian.

I was a college student working multiple jobs.

Julian volunteered to visit grandma for me, sending updates.

When I was about to break, Julian held me, comforting me, promising to stay by my side forever.

He really loved me then. He wanted to be with me every day.

Even when I wore plain clothes, he would hold my hand and introduce me proudly:

"My girlfriend. Pretty, right? She's the best girlfriend in the world!"

But gradually, he started looking at me with suspicion, fearing I was after his family's wealth.

He demanded I hand over my salary for him to manage.

His control grew tighter. Even a request for $5 for bubble tea made him suspicious.

Until three months ago, when Sarah returned from abroad. He happily bought her a priceless gem and spent millions on a billboard message:

Welcome back, Sarah!

That was the first night he didn't come home.

When I found him with the police, he was drunk, grabbing Sarah's arm, eyes red:

"When we were five, you said you were the princess and I was the prince, that you'd marry me. Why did you leave?"

I went cold. When he sobered up, we fought.

He claimed I was overthinking, that if Sarah hadn't left, he never would have met me.

Only when Sarah posted about wanting to get married did Julian end the cold war, kneeling to propose to me.

Laughably, I was ecstatic, thinking he chose me. I agreed with tears in my eyes.

This absurd relationship was finally ending.

I realized I had walked a long way.

Noise came from nearby.

"Brother-in-law! You can't back out of Truth or Dare! Sarah is waiting!"

Outside a karaoke bar, Julian was surrounded by people, holding Sarah's hand tightly, shouting:

"I, Julian Sterling, only love Sarah Miller!"

He shouted it three times, louder and firmer each time, stopping traffic.

The man who was usually so arrogant had red ears.

Sarah held his arm naturally, smiling sweetly.

The crowd cheered:

"The mood is right, kiss already!"

Julian froze.

Sarah tried to smooth it over.

"Don't be too much, your brother-in-law is shy—"

Before she could finish, Julian cupped her face and kissed her deeply.

It was brief.

Julian didn't close his eyes. He looked at Sarah intensely, as if carving her into his heart, full of happiness and satisfaction.

It seemed one kiss was enough.

The next second, afraid Sarah would misunderstand, his ears burned as he stammered:

"I... I lost my balance."

Before Sarah could speak, he hurriedly said:

"It's late. Time to go home, or my dad will use the family discipline."

The most precious thing in the world is a prodigal's sincerity.

Love is a hand wanting to touch but pulling back.

I was only thirty feet away.

The cold wind blew, grinding my already broken heart into dust.

Julian, head down, rushing, bumped right into me.

He looked up. Seeing my face, his pupils shrank.