After Family Ruin, We Reunited

After my financial ruin, I ran into an ex-boyfriend I had once supported. Back then, he was with me to save his grandmother. Now, after years apart, he was with his "shining star." They looked polished and successful, while I was struggling. His shining star slapped me, and he seemed interested in helping me financially.

It was the most embarrassing meeting I could have imagined. "Nathanael's truly fortunate to be married to such a beautiful star like Meredith," commented a rotund man, his gaze lingering on Meredith. The young man who once stood by my side had matured, now shielding Meredith from prying eyes.

"This project has seventy percent backing from Bradley Enterprises, but the condition is that Meredith plays the lead," he added. "Absolutely!"

Were they married now? Meredith coyly hid behind Nathanael, smiling demurely. I tugged at the cocktail dress I was wearing, feeling mortified.

"Everyone, let's raise a glass to Richard Aguilar!" someone suggested. I followed the elegantly dressed women, trying to blend in. If they recognized the once-imperious me, now selling my looks to make ends meet, today would be a disaster.

I turned away from Nathanael, addressing Richard, "Cheers." Suddenly, a cool finger pressed against my lower back. My breath caught, and my fake smile froze.

"Pour the drink!" Nathanael's detached voice ordered. Unseen, I turned slightly, using my hair to conceal my face, and filled his glass with champagne.

"Mr. Bradley, did you have a 'special someone' in the past?" Richard, a bit tipsy, ventured. "Yes." "Not long ago, you were out drinking late—was it over an ex-girlfriend?" Meredith's expression soured.

"Do you buy those tabloid stories, Richard? She was such a hassle for Nathanael. Thank goodness he didn’t retaliate. If not for her, Nathanael and I would have been together much sooner."

Richard noted Nathanael’s indifferent stance and quickly backtracked, "Oh, just kidding. I'll drink to that! She's just a schemer, nowhere near a star's level!" Suddenly, the champagne slipped from my hand, splashing on Meredith's dress, and she slapped me hard. "Can't you even pour a drink properly?"

Nathanael stood abruptly, seemingly about to intervene. I hastily apologized, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'll make it right. I'll find Aurelio Freeman right away!" I stumbled out of the room, feeling utterly defeated.

But the terrifying part was Nathanael following me from the corner of my eye. I quickened my pace! What did he want? Was he going to demand justice for Meredith? Or—did he want to slap me too? "Stop right there!"

I quickly slipped into the women's restroom and locked the stall door behind me. By the time Nathanael showed up with Raphael to open the door, I had already made my getaway through the window.

I messaged Aurelio on WhatsApp to explain what had happened and sent over the money for that bottle of wine. It came to about $1,800, which wiped out my entire savings along with this month's paycheck. I huddled in the corner of an alley, tears streaming down my face.

Jocelyn was still in the hospital, and my credit cards were maxed out. What was I supposed to do? Nathanael's face popped into my head, and bitterness surged through me. If there was anyone who could drive Nathanael to drink, it was probably me.

To many, I was his ex-girlfriend—a conniving woman who had come between Nathanael and Meredith.