Chapter 10 Millionaire boyfriend
RORY POV
“I came to apologize,” he said. He had the audacity to look sincere. “I’m sorry about earlier Rory. I really love you.”
I looked left. Then right. Making sure absolutely nobody on this street was witnessing this moment.
“Are you joking?” My voice rose before I could help it. “You body shamed me at your own wedding altar. In front of everyone. With Katherine of all people. And now you’re standing outside my apartment telling me you love me? Are you drunk or just stupid?”
“I didn’t mean any of it,” he said, stepping closer. “I wasn’t thinking straight. But listen, I know it’s hard. Finding someone. Someone who’ll actually—” he paused like he was choosing his words carefully and chose wrong anyway — “you know. Want you. I’m here Rory. We can be discreet. Katherine doesn’t have to know.”
The disgust was so thick I could taste it. He wanted a side piece. He wanted to hide me in the dark.
His hand found my waist.
"I'm done with you, Steve," I spat, my voice surprisingly steady. "I don't love you anymore. Get. Off. Me."
“Come on,” he said, his voice dropping. “Just five minutes inside. I’ll go down on you. Fuck you good. I won’t complain about your body I promise. Katherine doesn’t have to—”
“You will never,” I said, “ever sleep with me again. Not in this lifetime. Not in any lifetime. You are disgusting.”
Something shifted in his face. The sincerity evaporated completely and what replaced it was the version of Steve I should have seen years ago.
“Playing hard to get?" he said with that smile.
“You’ll come back Rory. You always do. I’m the only one who can tolerate you and we both know it.”
I hated him in that moment. Genuinely, completely hated him.
But what I hated more was the small quiet part of me that heard those words and didn’t immediately reject them. The part that had been shaped by years of being told exactly what Steve had just said in various ways by various people and had eventually started to believe it.
I was so angry at that part of myself.
Which was probably why I said what I said next.
"Newsflash, Steve," | snapped, the lie falling off my tongue before I could stop it. "I have a boyfriend. While you were busy fucking Katherine, I was busy fucking a millionaire."
The words flew out before I could stop them. Stupid. Reckless. But I needed anything to wipe that smirk off his face.
He burst out laughing. Loud. Mocking.
“A millionaire?” He repeated it like the punchline of the year. “A millionaire wants you.” His eyes moved over me slowly. “Did he see the thing behind your ear? Did he see your clothes? Your body? Has he ever tried having a full conversation with you without you falling apart halfway through?” He shook his head. “Or is this happening in one of those stupid books you write?”
I said nothing.
He stepped closer, his breath hot on my face. His smile spread wide. “Snap out of the delusion Rory. No man wants you. Get used to it.”
The words stung. They always did. That was the thing about words from people who knew exactly where your soft spots were, they never missed.
“Lia’s birthday is next week,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as I could manage. “I got an invite. I might as well show up with my boyfriend.”
He stared at me for a moment. Then laughed again. Harder this time.
“Save yourself the embarrassment,” he said. “Stay home. You have no boyfriend and we both know it.”
“See you next week Steve,” I said.
I turned around, unlocked my door and stepped inside. I tried to pull it shut behind me but his hand caught it, holding it open.
“You’re leaving me outside to go write about your imaginary millionaire boyfriend?” he called. “The one who fell for the fat girl?”
“Fuck you.”
I yanked the door hard. It slammed into his fingers. He yelped, stumbling back.
“Stupid crazy bitch!” he shouted. my hearing aids picking up every single syllable with their usual devastating clarity. “No man wants you!”
I stood in the dark of my apartment with my back against the door and just breathed.
He was right. I knew he was right.
I needed a millionaire boyfriend by next week.
Or I was doomed.