Chapter 3: Broken Promises

A chilly breeze swept outside the sales office as I clutched my phone in my pocket. Natalie and her family buzzed with excitement, but a heaviness pressed on my chest.

The sky was streaked pink and gold. The sales office, gilded in the setting sun, looked like a golden cage—dazzling on the outside, suffocating inside.

Natalie had her arm through mine as we walked out, but as soon as we hit the steps, she let go. Her posture stiffened, her voice suddenly cold.

"Jason, I have something to say to you."

She turned, her face blank. "Let’s break up."

For a second, I thought I’d misheard. The world narrowed to her voice and the sting in my chest.

She looked at me like she was reading from a script she’d practiced a hundred times. "The house is bought. I can give my family an explanation."

Before I could process it, her mom jumped in. "Should have done this long ago! What kind of life could Natalie have with someone as useless as you?"

Natalie stepped away, widening the gap between us. "You go your way, I’ll go mine."

"Wait, what do you mean?" My mind spun, confusion and dread swirling together.

Her mom glared. "We have a house now—what do we need you for?"

"Mrs. Carter, I don’t understand..."

"Don’t call me that!" she snapped, slicing the air with her words. "We have no such relationship. This ends today. Don’t contact Natalie again."

Derek stepped up, blocking my path with a smirk. "Chill out, man. Consider it rent for dating my sister. Don’t be so dramatic. This house will be my wedding house someday—all thanks to my sister’s hard work."

Blood roared in my ears as I bit my lip to keep from losing it. "You set me up? Was this all just a game to you?"

Natalie sneered. "Game? I just finally saw your true worth. Even to buy a house you have to beg for favors, use special policies, have friends pull strings—makes me so proud."

"I never realized you were so materialistic..."

I stared at my shoes, my hands clenched tight.

Her mom scoffed. "My daughter deserves better. Think about it—are you really worthy of her?"

"But the contract... the down payment..." My voice barely made it out.

Derek grinned. "Oh, still worried about your down payment? Relax, the money you gave can count as two years’ rent for having a girlfriend."

Natalie clutched the contract. "The house is in my name. Don’t try anything."

I shook, looking up at her, my eyes burning. "Two years... two years of feelings, just like that?"

She rolled her eyes. "Feelings? You think I could have feelings for someone like you? If you weren’t so easy to control, would I be with you? Trading two years for a house—totally worth it."

Her words hit harder than any punch. The world tilted, parking lot lines blurring as I fought for balance.

"I don’t agree..." My throat felt raw. "I really like you..."

Her mom grabbed Natalie, pulling her away. "Let’s go—don’t waste time on him."

The three of them turned and left. Derek made a point to bump my shoulder on the way out.

I stood there, watching them disappear into the parking lot. I didn’t chase them. I just watched, feeling crushed and hollowed out.

Only after their car was gone did I finally exhale, a heavy weight lifting off my chest.

I pulled out my phone and played a recording. Natalie’s voice rang out: "The house is in my name, don’t try anything."

I opened my photos—clear shots of every contract page.

Leaning against the cold metal railing, I dialed a number. "Hello, is this Attorney Evans? I’d like to ask about how to handle real estate contract fraud..."

A semi truck rumbled by, headlights strobing across my face. I turned away from the wind, the steel biting into my palm, and watched the streetlights flicker on one by one.

I looked down at my copy of the contract. Every signature was so real, it almost made me laugh.

What Natalie didn’t know was, I’d seen the breakup coming from a mile away.

I scrolled through my phone—screenshots, chat logs, two years’ worth of proof.

For the first time in months, I let myself breathe. The cold air burned my lungs, but it felt like the start of something real.

I slipped my phone back in my pocket. Tomorrow, I’d start over. But tonight, I’d let myself be free.