Chapter 30
The kitchen clock ticks loudly in the silence. I’m sitting at the table, staring at yesterday’s unpaid bills stacked neatly by the fruit bowl, which is empty, by the way. My mom cried herself to sleep last night. I could hear her through the walls, muffled and soft, like she was trying to keep it in. Now she’s still out cold. Good. She needs the rest.
I sip my tea— it’s lukewarm and bitter, but I don’t have the energy to care. My stomach’s been a knot since my mom got fired, and even tea feels like too much. I should be doing something. Applying for jobs, calling someone, anyone, who could help. Instead, I sit here, useless.
A knock at the door startles me. It’s early, barely past seven, and we don’t get visitors. For a second, I think maybe it’s my mom’s boss, coming to explain there’s been a mistake. Stupid, I know, but hope is weird like that.
I push my chair back, head for the door, and peek through the curtain. Colin’s standing there, holding a box and a to-go cup holder. What the hell?
I open the door halfway. “Colin? What’re you doing here?”
He smiles, kind of awkward, shifting the box in his hands. “Hey. Uh, my mom got a call from your mom last night. She told me what happened, so I, uh, brought cupcakes. And tea. Is it okay if I come in?”
Cupcakes. At seven in the morning. But his face is so damn sincere, I can’t even roll my eyes at him. “Yeah, sure. Come in.”
I step aside, and he walks in, kicking off his sneakers like he’s done it a million times before. Which he has. The sight of his socks, mismatched as always, pulls something weird in my chest. Nostalgia, maybe.
We head to the kitchen, and I gesture for him to sit. “My mom’s still asleep, so we should probably keep it down.”
He nods, setting the box and teas on the table. “Got it. How’s she doing?”
I shrug, sinking back into my chair. “She cried all night. She’s talking about getting a part-time job, but that’s not going to cut it, you know? I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
“Shit. I’m sorry, Remy. That’s rough.” He opens the box, and the smell of vanilla and frosting wafts out. “Cupcake?”
I almost laugh. “You really think cupcakes are gonna fix this?”
“No, but they might help for five minutes.” He nudges the box toward me, and I grab one, more out of politeness than anything.
We sit in silence for a bit, me picking at the cupcake, him sipping his tea like old times. Finally, he looks up. “How’re you doing? It’s been a while.”
“How am I doing?” I scoff. “Take a wild guess.”
“Yeah, okay, stupid question.” He leans back, running a hand through his hair. “Look, I came here for a reason. And it’s not just to bring cupcakes.”
“Oh?” I raise an eyebrow, still not looking at him. “What’s the real reason, then?” I watch him closely, praying he’s not going to tell me that he misses me and wants me back. Sadly, I could never go back to him after being with Zane. There’s no comparison there.
Colin reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out an envelope. It’s thick, almost bulging, and he slides it across the table toward me.
“What’s this?” I ask, not touching it.
He has a tense expression. “Just open it.”
I hesitate, but curiosity wins. I pick it up, rip the flap, and peek inside. Cash. A lot of it. My stomach twists, and I glance at him. “Colin, what the hell is this?”
“I—uh—” He rubs the back of his neck, looking everywhere but at me. “It’s yours. I mean, it should’ve been yours. I felt wrong keeping it.”
“You find out my mom loses her job, so you’re giving me a wad of cash? And you feel wrong for keeping it?” My voice sharpens. “I’m lost. What the hell are you talking about?”
He exhales hard, leaning forward, arms on the table. “Okay, so… you remember when we broke up?”
“Obviously.” My jaw tightens. “Get to the point.”
“Well, Zane… he paid me to do it.”
Suddenly, I’m dizzy. The silence as I stare at him starts to hurt. The kind that presses on your ears, making everything sound too loud. I blink at him, sure I misheard. “What?” I whisper.
He flinches. “Zane. He paid me to break up with you. Like, handed me a shitload of cash and told me to end things.”
My brain can’t process it. “You’re telling me Zane paid you to dump me?”
“Yeah.”
I push back from the table, standing so fast the chair screeches against the floor. “Are you fucking serious right now?” I start pacing, rubbing my face. This cannot be happening.
“Remy, I’m sorry. I was stupid, and I didn’t know what else to do. He offered me the money, and—” He shakes his head, voice breaking. “I need the money. I thought it’d be easier. For you. For both of us.”
“Easier?” My hands are shaking, and I shove them into my pockets. “You thought betraying me would be easier?”
“I couldn’t say no to two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand dollars, Rem. I didn’t know how to say no!” he snaps, standing too. “Plus, it’s Zane. You know how he is. He doesn’t take no for an answer. I already used some of the money for my family, and well, you can have the rest.”
“Are you fucking serious, Colin! You are just as bad for going along with it!” I shoot back, voice rising despite myself. “You sold me out, Colin. After everything we’ve been through, you sold me out for money .”
“I know how it sounds, okay? I know I fucked up.” He runs a hand through his hair again, pacing now. “That’s why I’m here. To make it right.”
“Make it right?” I laugh, bitter and hollow. “You think throwing money at me fixes this? Newsflash, Colin— it doesn’t. Oh my god, that’s why your brother was here. This is what he was talking about. He said that I would understand one day.” I put my hands on my hips as my eyes narrow at him. “Are you actually fucking serious?”
“I’m sorry. I’m trying to make things right. I don’t know what else to do, Remy. I’m trying. I’m trying to apologize. I’m telling you the truth now, offering it to you and your mom to help. I’m trying to help.”
I shake my head, the betrayal cutting deeper than I thought possible. “You were my best friend.” A tear slides down my face. “And you just… threw me away.”
“I didn’t throw you away. I—” He pauses, swallowing hard. “Shit between us got so complicated. And don’t stand there and pretend like you weren’t interested in him when you were with me. I felt you pulling away. I don’t even want to ask if you were cheating on me with him. Okay? None of us are innocent. Zane was convincing. I told him that if I did it, he had to take care of you.”
“Take care of me?” I laugh again, harsher this time. “That’s a sick joke. He’s ruined my fucking life!”
“I didn’t know it’d turn out like this,” he mutters, looking down. “I didn’t know he’d—”
“God, I am so fucking upset right now!” Tears are streaming down my face, and I don’t know if it’s sadness or anger. Maybe both.
He looks up at me. “You really love him, don’t you?”
“What difference does that make? He used his money to get his way. He lied and manipulated me and you ! God, he’s just like his father.”
Zane is exactly like his father, and after what I told him last night, I cannot believe I had been such a fool to think I was special.
I was a game to him.
He wanted me so he did all he could to get me. I feel cheap.
“I think you should leave Colin.”
“I–”
“I will take this money and give it to my mom. That’s the least she deserves. This dirty fucking money. But as for me, I would really like to be alone,” I tell him, and then I turn on my heel and head to my bedroom.
The mansion looms dark and lifeless, every window shut, the front gates locked tight. I stand there for a second, my breath fogging in the cold, wondering if this is some kind of sign. Zane’s car isn’t here, either.
I pull out my phone and dial Maya. She picks up on the third ring, her voice muffled like she’s mid-yawn. “What’s up?”
“Where’s Zane?” I ask, cutting straight to it.
“Hello to you, too,” she mumbles.
“Maya, I’m not in the mood. His house is locked up.”
“Oh, right.” There’s some rustling on her end, like she’s sitting up. “He’s at Caleb’s.”
“Of course he is,” I mutter. “Send me the location please. Thanks.”
“You good?” she asks, but I’ve already hung up.
Caleb’s house is only ten minutes away, but it feels longer. I park on the street, glaring at the house. It’s massive but older, with peeling paint and a lawn that’s seen better days. The porch light flickers as I knock.
The door creaks open, and Caleb stands there, shirtless and rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Remy?” He blinks, clearly shocked. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for Zane,” I say, stepping forward like I might just push past him.
“He’s still asleep,” Caleb says, holding the door just enough to block me. “But he’ll be happy to see you, I’m sure.”
“Is he upstairs?”
“Uh, yeah.” Caleb scratches the back of his head, then steps aside. “Go on up. Second door on the left.”
The stairs creak under my feet as I climb, every step louder than it should be. My heart— or whatever’s left of it— feels too big for my chest. The hallway smells like stale beer and cheap cologne. When I reach the door, it’s cracked open just enough for me to push it with my fingertips.
The room is a mess. Clothes are tossed everywhere, a half-empty whiskey bottle sits on the nightstand, and the curtains are drawn, bathing everything in dull gray light. Zane’s sprawled out on the bed, shirtless, his face buried in the pillow. My gut twists in me as I stare. I love him. Even now, knowing what I know, I still fucking love him.
He stirs, turning toward the sound of the door. His eyes squint open, groggy and unfocused, but when he sees me, a slow smile spreads across his face.
“Remy,” he mumbles, his voice thick with sleep.
The smile disappears the second he clocks my expression. He sits up fast, rubbing his face like he’s trying to wake himself up. “What’s wrong?”
I step inside, shutting the door behind me. “I want the truth.”
“What?” He looks confused, then cautious. “About what?”
My voice is steady, sharp. “Colin came to see me this morning. Gave me a nice fat envelope of cash and said it belonged to you.”
His shoulders tense, but he doesn’t say anything.
I take a step closer. “He told me everything, Zane. That you paid him to break up with me. That you thought you could just buy him off, like you could fucking buy me off of him.”
Zane swings his legs off the bed, sitting on the edge now. “Remy, it’s not like that—”
“Oh, really?” I cut him off, crossing my arms. “Then tell me how it is, because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re just as bad as your dad. Meddling in people’s lives, thinking your money gives you the right to control everything.”
“That’s not fair.” His voice rises, defensive now. “I did it for you. For us.”
I laugh, cold and bitter. “For us? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Yes!” He stands, running a hand through his hair. “You wouldn’t break up with the guy, and I knew that he was the reason you were holding back from me.”
“You are so fucking selfish!” My voice cracks with anger. “You manipulated me. You lied to me. You fucked me enough until I fell for you. And for what? To prove you’re just like every other entitled asshole in your family?”
“That’s not who I am,” he snaps, his jaw tight.
“No?” I take a step closer, my eyes boring into him. “Then explain why you thought it was okay to ruin my fucking life. You came and ruined everything, Zane! Why do you think you have the right to decide who I should be with?”
He opens his mouth, then closes it, like he can’t find the words. Finally, he drops his head, exhaling hard. “I have nothing to say. It was impulsive. I was fucking obsessed with you. I couldn’t get you out of my head. I was–”
“Too little, too late,” I say, shaking my head.
“Remy.” He grabs my hands. His voice is raw, desperate. “I’m sorry. I’ll do anything to make this right. Just tell me what to do.”
I pull my hands back like his touch burns. “You want to make it right? Stop meddling in my life. Stop treating me like I’m some kind of project you can fix.”
“I’m not—”
“Yes, you are!” I cut him off again, my voice rising. “You’re just like your dad, Zane. Using people, controlling them, thinking money makes you better than everyone else.”
His face crumples, and for a second, I almost feel bad. Almost.
“I fell so fucking hard for you, Remy. I love you,” he says, his voice breaking. “I love you so fucking much. I would do it all over again because I love you.”
I shake my head, stepping back. “Love isn’t enough. Not when you’re like this. My mom was right. Rich people stick together, and the rest of us are just… collateral damage.”
“What the fuck,” he says, his eyes glassy.
My voice is cold, final. “I love you too, Zane, but I can’t… do this.”
I turn and walk out, ignoring the sound of him calling my name. The hallway feels longer this time, and by the time I reach my mom’s car, my hands are shaking so bad I can barely get the keys in the ignition.
But I don’t look back.
It’s a miserable week. Miserable.
I see Zane on campus a few times, but the second I spot him, I veer off like a coward. It doesn’t matter if I’m late to class or if I have to double back through the science building— I just… can’t. Not with the way my chest knots up when I see him.
Maya texts a couple of times. Caleb, too. I ignore both. I can’t deal with them, either. Not when their faces remind me of him. I packed things from my dorm when I knew Maya would be in classes, and I’m staying at my mom’s for now.
By Wednesday, my mom’s buzzing around the kitchen, humming a tune I haven’t heard in years. “Guess who got the job?” she says, holding up an official-looking paper like a trophy.
“That’s great, Mom,” I say, smiling for the first time in days.
“It’s at the community hospital during the day,” she says, beaming. “No more late-night shifts.”
Her happiness stings, just a little. She’s picking herself up, moving on, and here I am, crying into my pillow every damn night over a guy I swore I’d forget.
I picked up a shift at the local café, too. It’s not glamorous, but it’s work. The pay’s crap, and my feet ache after every shift, but it’s mine. The tips aren’t great, but they’re something, and I’ve started a little savings jar in the back of my closet. Just in case.
Late at night, I lie awake, staring at the ceiling, trying not to think about him. But his stupid face pops into my head anyway, and before I know it, I’m crying again, muffling the sound with my pillow so my mom doesn’t hear.
By Saturday afternoon, I’m halfway through a shift when Maya walks in. She doesn’t order anything, just stands there at the counter, arms crossed, waiting for me to notice her.
“Maya.” I blink at her, wiping my hands on my apron. “What’re you doing here?”
“I could ask you the same thing,” she says, raising an eyebrow.
“I’m working,” I say flatly. “If you’re not ordering, I need to get back—”
“Remy,” she says, cutting me off. “Can we talk? Please.”
I hesitate, glancing around the half-empty café. My boss isn’t hovering, and there’s only one couple at a corner table. “I’ve got a break in ten,” I mutter.
“Good,” she says, grabbing a seat by the window.
When I finally join her, she doesn’t waste time. “I’m transferring,” she says, her voice blunt.
“What?” I blink, caught off guard.
“My mom’s opening a branch in London,” she says. “We’re moving next month.”
“Oh.” It’s all I manage.
“There’s a party Friday,” she continues. “A little send-off. You should come.”
I shake my head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“You know why, Maya.”
She sighs, exasperated. “Remy, this isn’t about Zane. It’s my party.”
“You’re all the same,” I mutter.
Her eyes narrow. “What the hell does that mean?”
“You, Caleb, Zane— you’re all tied together. If I go, he’ll be there, and I can’t—”
“For God’s sake, Remy, get over yourself,” she snaps, and it’s the first time I’ve ever heard her sound so pissed.
“What?” I stare at her, stunned.
“You heard me,” she says, leaning forward. “I never treated you differently, Remy. Not once. So why the hell would you cut me off just because of him?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
“You’re so damn closed-minded,” she says, shaking her head. “You never even tried to see how much Zane’s changed.”
“Maya, stop,” I whisper, but she’s on a roll now.
“He was cut off, Remy,” she says, her voice biting. “His dad found out about you and kicked him to the curb. You think he’s living some charmed life right now? He’s working part-time at a garage uptown, busting his ass to get by.”
I blink, stunned. “What?”
“He had a choice,” she says, her voice softer now. “And he chose you. He gave up everything because he loved you. And yeah, he’s fucked up. A lot. But he’s trying, Remy. He’s trying for you.”
My chest tightens, but I don’t say anything.
Maya stands, pulling a piece of paper from her pocket and dropping it on the table. “Here’s the address,” she says. “Friday, 8 p.m. I hope you come because I won’t be seeing you otherwise.”
She walks out without another word, leaving me sitting there, dumbstruck.
The rest of my shift is a blur. I move through the motions— taking orders, wiping tables— but my brain is stuck on her words. Zane, working at a garage? Zane, cut off from his family? None of it makes sense.
By the time I clock out, my head’s spinning, and I still don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.