Riches in Disguise

Lina slowly lifted her head and looked at me through the mirror.

Our eyes locked, but an unfamiliar tension lingered in the air.

Her appearance and demeanor had changed.

Despite being only 20 years old, she dressed and carried herself like someone in her mid-20s.

While she looked stunning, something about it felt out of place.

Her gaze was strange too. It wasn't the disdainful look I used to know. Instead, it carried a mix of profound disappointment and resentment I couldn't quite understand.

What could I have done to make her look at me like that?

"Lina, do you know what Dorian said when you weren't around?" I said.

She remained expressionless at my words, simply staring at me.

Feeling helpless, I continued, "He said "

"Did you and Felicia break up?" she suddenly interrupted, cutting me off mid- sentence.noveldrama

I froze, startled by her question. "No," I answered instinctively.

"Then, are you two-timing her?" she asked.

I wondered what had led her to accuse me of such a thing.

"How could I possibly be two-timing?" I replied.

When it came to relationships, I wasn't perfect, but I had never betrayed a girlfriend or entertained anyone else while I was in one. Two-timing was something I would never do.

Lina spun around, glaring at me with an intensity that made me take a step back. "Don't play dumb! If you're not two-timing Felicia, then what do you call your relationship with Crystal?"

The realization hit me. She thought I was dating Crystal.

I opened my mouth to explain, but the words got stuck. Where was I even supposed to start?

Lina said, "I used to think all men were terrible, but I thought you were different. I thought you were a good man who could stay loyal to his girlfriend. Turns out you're just like the rest!"

"No, I—"

"No!" she shot back, interrupting me once more. "You're worse because you pretend to be something you're not. At least they're honest about who they are. You already have a girlfriend, and yet you're cozying up to some rich woman! I used to think you were poor but had integrity. Turns out you're just a freeloader. It's disgusting!"

I was taken aback.

We broke up ages ago. What right did she have to feel disappointed in me?

Still, that wasn't why I had approached her. I wasn't here to argue about Crystal or justify myself.

"Lina," I said firmly. "I'm here to warn you. Dorian isn't like your previous boyfriends. He's not a good person, and you can't afford to mess with someone like him. You should find a way to return his money and leave him as soon as you can. If you don't, you'll regret it later."

"Oh, really?" Lina sneered. "He's not a good person, but are you any better?"

She walked over to me, staring at me with a complicated expression. "You're already two-timing Felicia, so would adding a third really bother you?"

I froze. "What?"

Lina placed her hands on my shoulders and leaned in, resting lightly against me.

"William, I'm so tired," she said softly. "Can't I lean on you for a while? If you want a rich woman to support you, I can use the money I got from Dorian. Just stay with me, don't upset me, and be my shoulder to lean on when I'm worn out."