Chapter 3
Chad and me? We grew up like peas in a pod–literally
door neighbors.
My mom used to say I had pretty face but zero brains, so when I was seven, she popped out a little brother to “protect me from getting scammed.” []
After that, her temper was like a ticking bomb.
If I messed up even tiny stuff, she’d boot me out. []
I’d sit on the porch crying, and when Chad and his mom came home, they’d take me in.[]
Mrs. Jenkins was a high school math teacher. []
She’d pat my head, tell me to do homework at their place, said Chad or her could help with anything.]
Chad was my grade, total boy scout–always had my back.
With Mrs. Jenkins and Chad tutoring me, my grades finally clicked. []
Mom was too busy with my brother to care where I was, didn’t even call me for dinner. []
Next to my folks, the Jenkinses felt more like family. [
Elementary, middle, high school–we were always at the same school. []
Senior year, Chad asked where I wanted to apply. []
I just wanted outta this town. []
He said, “Apply to Penn with me, we can watch each other’s backs,” so I did. [
He’s three months older, so I always saw him as big brother.
When we got to Penn, after freshman orientation, he dropped the “I like you” bomb. []
I said yes before he could finish. []
Switching from brother to boyfriend? Easy peasy.
He was Mr. Perfect: sunny, smart, star athlete. Total teen movie heartthrob. And he was sweet as pie to me. After living in each other’s pockets for so long, how could I not fall for him? []
Seven years dating, then we tied the knot after he launched his company. []
My college friends were green with envy–childhood sweethearts, first loves, went from dorm to wedding.
Most couples we knew broke up, but we stuck it out. []
Successful careers, happy home–we were the poster kids for “meant to be.“[]
I thought I was living the dream. []
Well, never saw this coming.
First time I heard “Eve Lowe” was at a date night. His phone rings, and this girl’s blubbering on the line–apologizing, crying. Chad ripped into her: “You moron! Mixed up the company reports? I’d rather have a dog than you!” []
Hold up–Chad was always Mr. Nice Guy. I’d never seen him chew out anyone, especially a girl. After he hung up, I said, “That was harsh, don’t you think?”
My Hirshand Left Me for a Secreta ru His Billionaire Buddy Finally Time to Crown My Queen!
11.8%
Chapter 3
He scowled: “Lucky I didn’t fire her. Anyone else would be out on their ass.” []
“Why keep her then?”
He paused, said: “She’s from bumfuck nowhere, got it rough. Little brother, deadbeat dad, mom’s sick. She’s the breadwinner.”
Made sense–Chad saw his own mom in Eve. My mom told me Chad’s dad split when we were kids, ran off with a hairdresser. Mrs. Jenkins had to bust her ass paying mortgage, raising Chad alone. []
Chad’s always been a softie at heart.
Like when we were kids–he took my hand and led me home. []
That’s just who he is.[]
