Chapter 3The Billionaire's Budget Girlfriend

"Sorry... I..."

I interrupted him.

"It's okay."

I turned and walked away, opening a ride-hailing app.

Behind me, confused whispers:

"She looks familiar. Julian, isn't that the gold digger who knelt for money at your engagement?"

"She didn't steal your wallet just now, did she? Check your pockets!"

To these slanders, Julian remained silent.

Back home, I paid for the ride.

A notification popped up on my phone:

Your flight from Seattle to Houston has been confirmed. Departure tomorrow at 3 PM.

I sent the screenshot to the HR of the overseas tech giant.

Before I could speak, she replied excitedly:

Lily, I can't wait! We welcome you tomorrow!

My expression softened. No love, but I could pursue my career.

I picked up my packed luggage, unwilling to stay another second.

But I ran into Julian.

He frowned, slamming the door shut.

"Lily, where are you going?"

Sarah, behind him, feigned concern:

"Lily, don't misunderstand. Julian and I are just buddies. He was helping me out. Don't run away from home just because of me..."

I didn't want to listen.

"Julian, let's break up."

Julian was about to scold me for being jealous but froze. Eyes wide, he lost his voice:

"Break up? Just because I played along with Sarah? Lily, do you still want the wedding or not?"

In his mind, he probably thought I was still crazy about him, using the wedding as a threat.

In the past, I would have humbled myself, begging him to stay.

Now, I laughed mockingly.

"Julian, we have no ties. What wedding?"

"No ties?"

Julian's face frosted over.

"That's not what you said a month ago when you accepted my proposal. You said your dream was to marry me. The ring..."

He frowned, rummaging through drawers, trying to find the ring to prove me wrong.

I said calmly:

"Don't bother. You took the ring back, returned it for a thousand bucks, and bought Sarah a hair tie."

It was ironic.

Seven years, and I got nothing from him.

The gifts I scrimped and saved to buy him, he thought were cheap and sold second-hand.

The only diamond ring he gave me, he took back after the proposal, saying it was wasteful and better to save for the wedding.

Julian's eyelashes trembled. He scanned the room, stubbornly saying:

"No ring, but there's what you bought me... what I bought you..."

He stopped, face darkening.

He realized he couldn't find a single thing in this house that proved we were a couple.

Sarah gloated, stirring the pot:

"Okay Lily, stop it. You live off Julian, you should be generous and share his burden. He's taking over the company, don't cause trouble!"

Julian gained confidence, crossing his arms with a sneer.

"Sarah is right. Lily, stop being so shortsighted. Once I inherit the company, I'll buy you anything. Put the luggage down, or I'll cut off your allowance!"

I let go of the suitcase and pulled out a box of IOUs.

"Julian. In seven years, you gave me $200 a month for living expenses. For other costs, you made me write 500 IOUs, totaling $20,000. Grandma's surgeries and treatments totaled $300,000."

"I deposited my salary with you. Seven years of wages, at least a million. Now, please return the remaining $680,000."

Julian flipped the box in anger. IOUs fluttered like snow.

"Lily! We've been together seven years, and I'm worth less than a few hundred thousand to you? How are you so shallow!"

His disgust made my voice hoarse.

"Julian, that money is my hard-earned labor."

He exploded, kicking the coffee table.

"Money, money, money! Lily, is there anything in your heart besides money? Why can't you be like Sarah? She doesn't care about fame or profit. She never asked me for anything!"

"My dad was right. Dating a poor person like you is a waste of time. We aren't in the same class."

"Your labor? Are you kidding? Without me, you'd be starving. That's the salary I paid you!"

I laughed at myself.

Sarah didn't fight or grab because she had everything.

She just had to stand there, do nothing, and Julian would offer her everything, including his heart, on a silver platter.

Seeing my silence, Julian sneered viciously:

"Fine, Lily. Take the money. I'll never keep it for you again!"

The next second, he threw a bank card at my face.

The edge sliced my cheek.

I wiped it gently. My hand came away red.

Julian panicked instantly, reaching for my face.

"Lily, are you okay?"

I laughed, blocking his hand.

Looking at the panic in his eyes, I said bleakly:

"Julian, aren't you tired of playing Prince and Cinderella?"

"I don't want to play anymore."