The Underdog Turned Kingpin

its velvet box felt like it weighed a ton in his pocket. He'd scrimped and saved for months to afford it, working overtim

e he'd splurged on. The clock on his beat-up Honda read 6:47 PM. Perfect. He was early, and Oliv

as small, and yeah, his contractor's salary wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. But he and Olivia had built a life tog

n stepped inside, already pictu

from his fingers, shatte

rtbeat stretching into eterni

a was

wasn't

er's arms-Olivia writhed atop a man. Not just any man - Ethan Langford, the milli

Mason's vo

fore narrowing with... disgust. "Mason? What the hell a

rrassed, merely smirked. He propped himse

is is awkward."

ng to give out. "I... I don't understand. I

probably cost more than Mason made in a week. Her laugh was col

d extended his hand. He smirked at

e you know who I am. Ethan Langfor

his throat. "Olivia, please. Tell me this isn't what

g with disdain. "God, Mason. Did you really think I'd be satisfied w

rt. He sank to his knees, the forgotten bouquet crushed

ll me, Mason, was it love that bought Olivia that stunning Cartier watch? O

y-hour weeks, coming home exhausted, while

hless. Your pathetic salary can barely keep us afloat. Do you have any idea how

protested weakly. "For y

ase." She crossed to the dresser, pulling out a glittering diamond nec

" He reached into his wallet, pulling out a wad of hundred-dollar bills. With a contemptuous flick of his wrist, he tossed the

everything Mason had worked for. He couldn't bre

. "I want a divorce, Mason. It's over. It's been over fo

inning around him. "Olivia, please. We c

. "Get a better job? Magically become successful overnight? Fac

ocket. The sapphire bracelet inside that had cost him months

luttered in Mason's chest. But then her face hardened once more. She tossed the box aside with a snort. "Cubic zirconi

"Olivia, please. It's your birthday. I...

could buy and sell you a hundred times over without blinking. I can give Olivi

ut no words came out. He'd never f

happening. It had

words drove home t

ly. "Take your stuff and get out. My lawyer

"Six years of marriage. Doesn

gret flickered in her eyes. Then she sq

my life," she spat. "Now get out

umphant grin. "Why don't you run along now? The a

at his feet. Without a word, he turned and stumbled out of the apartment, dow

. Rain began to fall, soaking through his thin t-shirt. How long he

g, he'd been on top of the world, eager to su

ture. Just the bitter taste of betrayal and

his tears. He'd given Olivia everything - his love, h

ia's voice echoed in

ht. Maybe he real

black Rolls-Royce pulled up beside him. The tinted window rol

, crisply. "It's