He Faked Broke, Now He Is

I shot up, yanked a wad of cash from my bag, and slapped it straight into Jack's face. "Ten grand. That cover the hospital bill?"

The bills fluttered to the floor. Jack froze. "Bella, you—"

I chucked another stack. "Another ten. That enough to shut your creep friend up?"

Then came more—stack after stack.

Jack's buddy just stood there, clutching his scorched hand, stunned.

Jack's face shifted. "Are you insane? Fine, don't apologize, but this—this is overkill..."

"Overkill?" My voice cracked, burning with rage. "You lied to me for three years, Jack. Used me like an ATM. Made me a punchline. And THIS is what's too much?"

Jack frowned. "What are you even talking about?"

"The call," I said, eyes locked on his. "I heard everything you and your buddy said."

His face went rigid.

"Faking bankruptcy was a blast, huh?" I dumped the rest of the cash from my bag. "Watching me burn myself every night just to save money—you must've felt like a king."

The bills scattered like confetti. Jack finally started to panic. "Bella, let me explain—"

"Explain what?" I snapped. "How you two schemed to scam me into buying that house? Or the part where you were gonna plant fake old tenants?"

Jack went pale. Like dead-body pale. He hadn't seen that coming.

He reached out. "That was just drunk talk..."

I snatched up my papers and flagged down a cab.

"Bella, please, I can explain," Jack said, voice cracking—his cocky act gone.

"Did you enjoy it?" I asked. "Three years of playing me like a game?"

He grabbed my wrist, tone shifting. "I really did love you."

His eyes flickered, searching. "But we're from different worlds. Marriage? That was never real. But I can give you money—whatever you want."

I yanked my hand free. "I want my mother's ring."

Just a simple silver band. Her only keepsake.

Meant for someone who actually loved me.

Jack? He didn't come close.

He scoffed. "What's so special about that cheap thing? I'll buy you diamonds, gold—"

"Save it. I just want the ring. Give it back. And let's never see each other again. You make me sick."

Annoyance flared in his eyes. "You're being ridiculous."

He yanked the ring off his finger. "All this over a piece of junk?"

Then he tossed it.

The ring spun through the air and vanished into the dark canal with a soft plunk.

I didn't hesitate. Climbed over the railing and jumped.

The freezing water swallowed me whole as I clawed through the murky bottom, desperate.

Then—

A woman in designer heels strolled up, stopping right at the edge. A smirk tugged at her lips as she watched me flail.

"So THIS is the one you were talking about..." she said, not bothering to finish. Her look said everything.

Jack heard her laugh. His face twisted.

Without warning, he jumped in, splashing dirty water everywhere.

"Bella! Get out of there!" he yelled, grabbing my arm.