My girlfriend was deeply in debt because she needed money for her mother's medical treatment.

To pay it off, we worked at the entertainment company during the day and took on part-time jobs at night and on weekends.

That day, I dressed up as a male ghost and hid in a corner of a haunted house, preparing to scare the incoming guests according to the script.

Soon, a disheveled couple burst in, kissing passionately.

The guy shyly calls out his girlfriend's name, "Ariana, hurry up, let me see the sexy panties I gave you today, I'm gonna tear them apart!"

The woman said, "You've already torn seven pairs today … I won't have anything left to wear … and we still have to go to the hotel tonight for my mom's birthday …"

I thought it was just a coincidence, since Ariana's mother was in a vegetative state and currently lying in the hospital.

But the next second, the woman spotted me and flung warm underwear and a wad of cash at my face while said, "Shut your eyes and mouth, now get out!"

Warm liquid streamed from my temple, but I stood frozen in place. Because that voice belonged to no one else but my girlfriend of three years.

——

"Ernest, what are you still standing there for? Don't disturb Miss Thomas and her boyfriend, get out of there, now!" My manager's anxious voice rang through my earpiece, snapping me back to reality.

I quickly grabbed the props on the ground and fled the dim room in a panic, with suggestive sounds trailing behind me.

When I reached the front desk, I instinctively looked down at the items in my arms, plastic and red paint meant to look like blood, mixed with that pair of panties and the wad of cash.

The stack of bills was thick, at least twenty thousand, all brand new, no wonder it cut my temple.

If this money hadn't been thrown at my face by my girlfriend while she was getting intimate with another man, I would've been happier.

Maybe I would've even taken a photo to show off to Ariana, "Ariana, look, your mom's medicine for the month is covered. You don't have to work so hard." But now … Miss Thomas?

That title felt so unfamiliar. Was she really the same woman who once pinched every penny to save her mother, who huddled with me in a tiny rental eating instant noodles and promised to bring me happiness?

If that guy in the room was her boyfriend, then what am I? The things in my arms fell to the ground with a loud noise.

A few well-dressed girls sitting at the front desk glanced over, then smirked knowingly, "Ariana's first love just got back from abroad and already she's this thirsty? She's probably gone through dozens of panties in the last few days. She really goes all out for him, each pair costs over a hundred thousand and she's not even afraid that poor guy by her side might find out."

The other girl said, "So what if he does? Ariana's loaded. Besides, what can that poor loser even do? Lance left Ariana three years ago to go abroad. Ariana only dated that guy out of spite. Now that Lance's back, he's nothing. It's laughable how Ariana played the poor girl act for three whole years."

"Ariana's always been a hopeless romantic, she swore she'd only marry Lance. She even said her money is only for Lance to spend. No other man can dream of touching it. But that idiot Ernest actually believe her lies and worked himself to death helping her repay debts and save her mom. Hahaha …"

Their words exploded in my ears like thunder, leaving my insides aching in shock and pain.

Their eyes were glued to the monitor, filled with giddy anticipation. I followed their gaze and my breath hitched.

Under the night vision camera, the woman straddled the man, entwined in passion as if trying to devour him, desperate to release all her longing.

Even in the dim light, even with just a side profile, I instantly recognized her.

And Ariana had never looked so passionate and wild in the three years I'd known her.

As if sensing something, she suddenly looked toward the camera, quickly threw her coat over Lance and grabbed a nearby skull prop to hurl at it, "Get lost! You think you deserve to see Lance? If you keep staring, I'll gouge out your eyes!"

The screen instantly turned to static and someone awkwardly rubbed their nose, "It's so dark in there and she covered Lance so tightly, we can't see anything. Ariana's seriously freaking out."

"A few days ago, I joked with her about letting the girls take a peek at Ernest's body and she just laughed and nodded. Looks like Lance is really her darling, he gets the VIP treatment."

I clenched my fists tightly, only to slowly loosen them in defeat.

Turns out, when people are faced with something they don't want to believe, their first reaction isn't anger, it's denial.

Even after my manager reminded me three times that I could take off my makeup and leave, I stubbornly stood there.

I didn't believe it. I couldn't believe the woman they were talking about, the one who toyed with others' feelings, was the same woman I'd loved for three years.

An hour later, she walked out of the haunted house, arm in arm with Lance. Under the bright lights, Ariana's face looked so clear and beautiful and it completely shattered my self-deception.

There were kiss marks all over Lance's neck. When he saw the cut on my forehead, he smiled sheepishly and said, "Bro, my girlfriend's got a bit of a temper. Sorry about earlier, don't take it personally. She just gets really possessive over me."

He continued, "Ariana, aren't you gonna compensate the guy?"

Ariana locked eyes with me, I thought she recognized me.

I hoped she'd explain. Even if she denied being my girlfriend, anything would be better than feeling like a joke.

But she just pulled out a checkbook, scribbled down a few numbers, tossed it at my feet and coldly said, "Keep your mouth shut. If I find out you're spreading rumors and ruining Lance's reputation, I won't let you off."

After three years together, I could recognize her silhouette in the dark without a doubt.

But now, standing right in front of her, with only some makeup on, she only cared about warning me not to harm her 'boyfriend's' reputation.

Did she really not recognize me, or had she just never cared to?

Ariana helped Lance into the Bentley, gently fastened his seatbelt, then drove off. She never looked at me again.

Watching that limited-edition Rolls-Royce with an A-plate drive away, a wave of bitterness welled up in me.

We had no money for a car because we were always saving to pay off debt and cover her mother's medical bills. We only had a second-hand electric scooter.

Countless times, when a luxury car passed by with a handsome man inside, Ariana would point and say, "Ernest, just wait. One day, I'll get you into a car like that. The passenger seat is only for you."

Back then, I thought even if I spent my whole life riding a scooter, as long as I had her promise, I was the happiest man alive.

But now, she really did have a luxury car, only the man in the passenger seat wasn't me.

After taking off my makeup and going home, I pulled out my phone and looked at a photo of Ariana's mother while staring at the check.

The amount on it was enough to cover her mother's medical bills for an entire year. Ariana, what other secrets are you hiding from me?

There was a sound at the door. I quickly hid the check.

Ariana said, "Ernest, I got paid from my part-time job. I bought your favorite strawberries. Come have some."

When Ariana saw the cut on my forehead, the smile on her face froze.

She immediately rushed over, eyes full of concern, "What happened? Does it hurt?"

I forced a smile, "Just scraped it accidentally, it's nothing. Strawberries are so expensive, why waste money?"

She said, "How could this be a waste? Ernest, if I could, I'd give you all the best things in the world. You've already suffered enough being with me. I work hard just to give my darling a good life."

I didn't respond, her sweet words were as moving as ever. But paired with the scent of Lance's cologne on her, it all felt absurd.

Ariana didn't notice anything unusual and casually glanced at my phone, then chuckled, "Other guys are into pretty girls, but you're looking at sick old lady? So old and ugly."

I froze, "You don't recognize her?"

Ariana looked confused, "Nope. Is she one of your relatives? Then we should bring a gift and visit her sometime."

"Oh, right, Ernest, I've got a part-time job tonight, I need to head out now, can't stay for dinner. Be good and wait at home." She ruffled my hair, got dressed and left.

But I was left frozen in place, stunned by what she said.

She was the one who took me to the hospital, pointed at that photo of the unconscious old lady and told me with a sorrowful look that it was her mother. But now she said she didn't know her?

I secretly followed her in a taxi. I saw her enter a luxury mall, change into a dress worth tens of thousands, then head to a hotel.

From the lobby, I saw Lance in a tailored suit, clinging playfully to an elegant and regal-looking lady.

That woman's features somewhat resembled Ariana's and as Ariana approached her and handed over a gift, she said, "Mom, your daughter wishes you a happy birthday."

A powerful sense of absurdity washed over me, I didn't know whether to feel angry or heartbroken.

Back then, Ariana was worn out by medical bills and debt, constantly worried about her mother's condition, eyes always filled with sorrow.

I felt sorry for her and decided to share the burden. For three years, I worked non-stop, only eating and sleeping when I had to.

As soon as my paycheck arrived, I'd send it to her. I often starved because I had no money left for food, surviving on water. I fainted several times at work but didn't even dare go to the hospital.

And now I learned, that so-called 'critically ill mother' was just a lie she made up. Her sorrow came only from Lance going abroad.

Then what about the hunger I endured, the sweat I poured out, what were those worth? It was laughable.

Halfway through the banquet, Mrs. Thomas suddenly made an announcement, "Thank you all for coming to this old lady's birthday party. I also have a happy piece of news to share. My daughter Ariana and Lance Basinger have been childhood sweethearts and are a perfect match. Now that Lance is back, we'll hold their engagement party in three days. I hope to see everyone there."

Guests immediately offered congratulations, but someone asked with doubt, "Didn't I hear Ariana already has a boyfriend?"

Mrs. Thomas's face darkened and she snorted, "Some low-born pauper dares dream of marrying into the Thomas Family? My daughter was just playing around with him. He really thought a wild duck could become a phoenix? He should take a good look at himself."

Her mother said again, "Ariana, what do you say?"

Ariana stayed silent for a moment, then smiled faintly, "Mother is right. He is just a wild duck. Let's do as you say."