Billionaire Pretended to Be Poor to Test His Fiancée – What Happened Next Shocked Everyone!
Chapter 8
Ethan considered ending things before they began.
He almost stopped going to Maggie’s.
Almost stopped answering Lily’s messages.
Almost convinced himself that distance would protect her.
But Lily noticed.
“You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Trying to solve everything alone.”
They sat in the park near the diner.
Ethan looked at her.
“There are things you don’t know about me.”
“I know.”
“And they could cause problems.”
“Probably.”
“You’re not curious?”
Lily shrugged.
“If you want to tell me, tell me.”
Ethan stared at her.
No pressure.
No demand.
Just patience.
So he told her.
Everything.
His real name.
His company.
His wealth.
The fake financial collapse.
Victoria.
The investigation.
Richard.
The threats.
When he finished, Lily was silent.
For a long time.
Ethan’s chest tightened.
Finally, she said:
“You’re a billionaire.”
“Yes.”
“And you pretended to be broke.”
“Yes.”
“To test your fiancée.”
“Yes.”
Lily stared at him.
Then shook her head.
“That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Ethan laughed despite himself.
“I know.”
“No, I don’t think you do.”
He smiled.
“Probably not.”
Lily looked toward the city.
Then back at him.
“Do you know what bothers me?”
“The lying?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
“But not because you’re rich.”
Ethan’s smile disappeared.
Lily continued.
“You let me get to know you while hiding something that could change everything.”
“I was afraid.”
“Of me?”
“No.”
He paused.
“Of losing this.”
Lily looked at him.
“This?”
“You.”
Her expression softened.
Ethan continued.
“I didn’t expect you.”
She looked away.
“That’s not fair.”
“I know.”
“Because now I have to decide whether anything between us was real.”
“It was.”
“You don’t get to decide that.”
Ethan nodded.
“You’re right.”
Lily stood.
“I need time.”
Ethan didn’t stop her.
This time, he understood.
Trust wasn’t something he could buy.
He couldn’t fix it with an apology or a gift.
He had to wait.
Days passed.
Lily didn’t answer his calls.
Then, one evening, she appeared outside his apartment.
Ethan opened the door.
She looked exhausted.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
She stepped inside.
“This doesn’t mean everything is okay.”
“I know.”
“I’m still angry.”
“I know.”
“And I still think pretending to be poor is insane.”
“I’ve heard that.”
Lily almost smiled.
Then she looked at him.
“But when my father was in the hospital, you stayed.”
Ethan said nothing.
“You didn’t know I knew anything about money.”
“No.”
“You didn’t get anything from helping me.”
“No.”
“So maybe the man I knew was real too.”
Ethan’s eyes softened.
“He was.”
Lily nodded.
“Then don’t lie to me again.”
“I won’t.”
She looked at him.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Outside, a car stopped across the street.
A camera flashed.
Both Ethan and Lily turned.
The photograph was taken.
The story was about to become public.
