Chapter 1 I Said Get Out
“I said get out! Take all your shit. OUT!” James shouted, his voice echoing through the apartment.
“Why are you doing this to me?” I asked, trembling. “After everything I’ve done for you?”
“Lilly, get the hell out of my sight. You worthless piece of trash.”
I stared at him, stunned. “You’re seriously throwing me out? Who took care of you when you were broke? Who fed you when you couldn’t even lift yourself out of bed?”
“I was there. I provided for you. I gave up everything to help you heal. And now that your billions are back, you’re kicking out the only person who ever truly cared?”
“You’re a disgrace,” I whispered. “How did I go from loving you to wanting to forget you ever existed? I was so naïve to believe your lies. I should’ve left years ago.”
Then I heard her voice—soft, smug, and coming from our bedroom.
“Babe, who’s that? Come back to bed. I need you,” said the woman wearing nothing but his shirt.
James smirked. “Lilly, I don’t want to have this conversation while a gorgeous woman is waiting for me in bed. You’re disturbing our peace.”
“You’re disgusting,” I spat. “She can have your filthy ass.”
The woman laughed at me like I was a joke. Like I was the crazy one.
“Stop embarrassing yourself,” James said coldly. “I’ll have your stuff packed and sent to you. You’re not even good in bed. You couldn’t give me a child. My woman is pregnant—and we’re getting married.”
I froze.
“Yes, I used you,” he continued. “You were too soft. Too trusting. Now I’m done with you. Get out of my sight and let us live in peace.”
I grabbed my car keys and coat and walked out without another word. I kept driving, heading toward the only place I could think of—my best friend Mike’s apartment. He was the only person who ever made me feel safe.
Halfway there, I had to pull over. I was a mess. Tears blurred my vision. How could James do this to me? I gave him everything. I stayed when everyone else left. I worked extra shifts to pay for his physiotherapy. I believed in him when no one else did.
I called Mike.
“Hey, Lee! What’s up, homegirl?”
“I’m on the road. Driving to you,” I said, my voice cracking.
“Honey, where are you? I’ll come get you.”
“I’m pulled over. Just trying to calm down. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
When I arrived, Mike opened the door and took one look at me. No words—just a long, tight hug.
“Come in, babe. I’ll pour us some wine. You tell me everything.”
“I need a drink first,” I said, collapsing onto the couch. After four shots of gin, I finally spoke.
“James kicked me out. Said I was a disappointment. He had a woman in our bed—and she’s pregnant.”
I broke down. The pain was unbearable.
“I’m in debt because of him. If it weren’t for my scholarship, I’d be drowning.”
Mike sat beside me, eyes fierce. “Honey, listen to me. You’re more than enough. You’re a doctor. A heart surgeon. Top of your class at Wits University. You don’t need that man.”
“You’re beautiful—even in baggy t-shirts and leggings. Some man is going to snatch you up and treat you like the queen you are.”
“Thanks, friend. I just need to rise above this. I’m not ready for another relationship.”
“You’ll get back on that bus,” Mike said. “I’ll make sure of it. You’re the best person I know. One day, someone will see that.”
“Let’s sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
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**The Next Morning**
“Lilly, wake up. You need to see this,” Mike said, shaking me gently.
“Not now, Mike. Let me sleep.”
“They published a story about you.”
I sat up instantly. “What? Let me see.”
**Headline:** *Billionaire James Brown Dumps Long-Time Girlfriend Lilly White After His Assets Were Unfrozen*
The article detailed how I stayed by his side after his car accident, how I helped him recover, and how he dumped me the moment his money returned. There was a photo of him in Malibu, smiling at a blonde woman who looked like a supermodel. He was kissing her hand—and she wore an engagement ring.
I stared at the screen, tears falling again.
“How could he do this to me? Was I not enough?”
The humiliation was unbearable. The world was watching me crumble.
“He’s having a baby with her,” I whispered. “It’s not that I couldn’t have children—I just wasn’t ready. I was busy taking care of us.”
I remembered the nights I worked overtime, the sacrifices I made. And now he was living his best life with someone else.
---
**Elsewhere…**
“Did it work out as planned?” the woman asked.
“Of course,” her lover replied. “He fell right into our trap. James Brown is a fool.”
“We’re going to destroy him. He thinks this baby is his? Just wait.”
“No one hurts my family and gets away with it. He’s going to suffer.”
“To take down a man like James, you hit where it hurts—his wealth.”
The woman smiled. “Now come here. Let me show you what real love feels like.”
---
**LILLY**
It was Saturday. I didn’t have to work unless the hospital called. I didn’t want to go outside. People would recognize me. I’d be the laughingstock.
When a man cheats, he’s a player. When a woman cheats, she’s a bitch.
My phone rang. I’d been blocking journalists all morning. But this time, it was my boss.
“Lilly speaking.”
“Hello, Lilly. I saw the news. I’m giving you two weeks off. Let things settle.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith. I just don’t want to be the center of gossip.”
“You’re family here. We look out for each other. Don’t beat yourself up. We all make mistakes. Take care, my love. See you soon.”
