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He offered to drive,saying I’d just ride,looking enviable with a“rich,hot boyfriend.”
It made sense then.I handed over the keys without touching the wheel.
He never drove me once.Every time I asked for a ride,he’d dodge with excuses.
My office was far from home,and public transit was a hassle,so I bought a used Beetle for commuting.
I hadn’t told Liam,not wanting him to feel bad.
Despite my devotion,he betrayed me,trampling my dignity.
I opened my mouth to confront him,but he yanked me aside.
The warmth in his eyes faded away,replaced by a cild, hard glare.
“Natalie,this is Ashley.My mom set this up as a date..If I don’t play along,Mom’ll have a heart attack.”
“Don’t worry,it's all just a show. But if you embarrass me in front of her, that's the end of us.”
His brazenness felt alien.
“You’re my boyfriend.You should tell your mom the truth instead of hurting me.And that car?I bought it so you wouldn’t have to take the bus.I’ve never even sat in it,and you let her crash it!”
He looked at me like I was a fool.“Mom would never accept you.She's so old - fashioned; she'd never let me marry a career - focused woman like you.”
“And as for the car?You gave it to me.Who I let drive it is none of your business.”
But I’d bought it for me.
I’d wanted a modest sedan,but Liam called it“cheap,”embarrassing.
He loved the Maybach,saying it’d make our future wedding epic—him pulling up in a luxury car,everyone jealous of my“perfect”husband.
For that dream,I drained my savings.
Now,I wasn’t even allowed inside.
Was he acting,or did he never care?
A wave of grief washed over me, choking me as tears threatened to spill down my cheeks.
A familiar voice broke through.“Natalie,what’re you doing here?”
I turned around to see Mom approaching, lugging her heavy suitcase.
Liam spotted her,his frown instantly transformed into a fawning, ingratiating smile.“Mrs.West,over here!We came to pick you up!”
Tears welled,touched.He did care.
I followed him toward Mom.
But he stopped short,bypassing her to grab another woman’s suitcase—a middle-aged lady,Ashley’s mom.
He linked arms with her,beaming.“Mrs.Brooks,Ashley and I waited forever—finally,you’re here!”
I froze,heart plummeting.
He opened the Maybach’s doors for Ashley and her mom,then drove off,leaving me behind.
I’d begged Liam countless times to meet my parents.He always refused,claiming“social anxiety”—he could only handle his own mom.
Now,he fawned over Ashley’s mother.
A searing pain shot through me, leaving me gasping for breath.
Mom, standing behind me,poked my back,gushing,“Natalie,when’ll you find me a son-in-law like that?I’m jealous!”
I wanted to scream that he was my boyfriend,just more devoted to another woman.
Her disappointed stare silenced me.
