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“No,” I said lightly, “I just feel sorry for you. After all, who would want to see someone else wearing the same clothes as them?”
“It’s okay. I don’t mind,” Ethan replied stiffly.
But the words seemed to lodge in his throat like cotton–he couldn’t say anything more.
From that day on, no matter what outfit Ethan suggested to me, someone else would always coincidentally show up in the same thing.
Frustrated, he refused to back down.
Instead, he doubled down–buying more and more of the same items I used.
Cups, plush toys, bracelets, earrings, sneakers…
I used designer brands, so naturally, nothing was cheap.
And I had a habit of changing things frequently. The moment he bought something, I’d swap it out for something new. He could never catch up.
When he ran out of money, he started taking out online loans. When that wasn’t enough, he’d call Sophie and beg her for cash.
Once, on my way back from the restroom, I overheard Sophie snapping at him behind the building:
“Ethan, I transferred 42,000 dollarsto Julian because of you, and now my entire balance is gone. My stipend’s been mysteriously cut off, and you still ask me for money every day. Can’t you just get a job already?!”
Ethan put on his usual pitiful act.
“Sophie, I am trying! I’m looking for part–time work, but do you have any idea how exhausting it is to keep up with Julian? He changes everything–his shoes, his accessories -every two days. I have no choice but to spend more to keep pace.”
He lowered his voice.
“I’ve already borrowed money online just to copy his stuff. If I default, the system will punish me. Please… you have to help me again.”
“And if nothing else works, just coax Julian a little. He still loves you, right? Sweet–talk him. Maybe he’ll give you the money back.”
Sophie’s expression soured, but she didn’t say no.
After that, she treated me better than she ever did when we were actually together. She clung to me, met every request with a smile.
I accepted everything.
Even when she hinted repeatedly that she was broke, I acted clueless.
Finally she asked directly
Chanter &
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11:34 Mon, 28 Jul tiW.
Finally, she asked directly.
So I handed her 70 dollars and patted her shoulder gently.
“I know you hate it when I ‘insult‘ you with money… so take this, and spend it sparingly.”
Sophie’s face fell. She shoved the cash back into my hand, seething.
“You treat me like a beggar? This little bit?”
I sighed and tucked the money back into my wallet.
[If that’s really how you see it, I can’t help you.]
Her expression turned stormy, but she didn’t dare to say more–let alone break up.
Soon after, she started working a part–time job on the side.
Ethan didn’t escape either. Eventually, even he was forced to get hired.
One weekend, the three of us went out for a barbecue. By pure coincidence, we ended up at the very restaurant where they both worked.
As we enjoyed our food, Sophie served the dishes with a forced smile, and Ethan wiped down tables nearby.
Watching us eat, Ethan swallowed hard and suddenly said:
“Julian, don’t you think you’ve gone too far? You’re eating well, living comfortably, and your girlfriend has to wait tables to survive. She even transferred 42,000 dollars to you! How could you not love someone like that?”
His tone was just right–dripping with righteousness and false pity. Anyone who didn’t know the truth would think I was a heartless freeloader living off a woman’s money.
Sure enough, a few nearby diners took the bait.
A middle–aged man leaned over, chuckling as he whistled.
“Hey, little bro, your girlfriend’s gorgeous, but how can you let her work so hard while you live it up? You really spending a woman’s money? Ain’t that low?”
Another chimed in, shaking his head.
“The world’s upside down now. Your girl’s out here working tables, and you’re the one ordering ten dishes? How do you sleep at night, gigolo?”
Ethan’s grin stretched all the way to his ears. He thought he’d finally turned the tide.
11:35 Mon, 28 Jul ti W
