I’m Chloe. After graduating from college, I worked as an office employee, quietly climbing the corporate ladder while secretly preparing to take over my father’s company. In my student years, I went to an all-girls high school and didn’t have much opportunity to interact with guys. My love life was practically non-existent until I met Mason.
Mason was… perfect. Or so I thought. He worked for a major corporation, had the looks of a celebrity, and a sense of style that made heads turn. I was head over heels. He was my first real boyfriend, my first love, and honestly, I was blinded by the fairy tale.
Then came the day I knew I absolutely wanted to marry him. While waiting for Mason, who was late to our meeting spot, I received a call. “Turn around,” he said.
I turned to find Mason standing there with a bouquet of roses so big it almost hid his face.
“Will you marry me?”
I thought I was dreaming. Mason, smiling, offered me those words along with the roses. I immediately said yes, and we embraced, ignoring the public setting. I was thrilled. It felt like a scene from a drama.
Little did I know then what Mason’s true nature was. The drama was just beginning, but it wasn’t going to be a romance.
Part 1: The Financial Agreement
After getting engaged, Mason and I started to talk about practical matters concerning our marriage. We seemed aligned on almost everything.
First, there was the issue of our parents. Both Mason and I are only children, so we’d have to take care of our parents eventually. We decided each would look after their own parents so we wouldn’t burden each other.
Next, incomes. I was okay with merging them, but Mason insisted otherwise. “We shouldn’t rely too much on each other’s income,” he said, looking serious. “Let’s keep them separate. Independence is key.”
I agreed. Following that, we decided not to disclose each other’s savings. We agreed to each contribute half to our living expenses. It seemed fair. Modern.
However, when we went to announce our engagement to my future in-laws, the cracks started to show.
Mason’s parents welcomed me warmly. We sat in their living room, sipping tea. “I’m relieved you finally got engaged,” his mother said, beaming.
Then his father asked the question that started my doubts. “So, when are you planning to move in together? We need to prepare for the move, too. You’re not thinking of living in this house, are you? It’ll get cramped when you have children.”
“Huh? Move in together?” I asked, bewildered.
My expression puzzled them. Only Mason looked uncomfortable.
“Wait, what?” said his mother, giving me a suspicious glance. “Chloe is going to be financially supported by Mason, right? It’s only natural that you live together. I did the same thing. Isn’t that right, hun?”
His father nodded. “Yeah, that’s true.”
Mason chuckled awkwardly and muttered, “Sorry.”
This meant Mason hadn’t told his parents anything about our discussed plans. The man I deeply loved suddenly seemed unreliable. But I convinced myself this was just a communication slip-up.
I started to explain. “I don’t plan on relying financially on Mason. I’m not quitting my job. And we’ve decided to individually take care of our own parents.”
“Hold on, Chloe,” his mother interrupted. “You should reconsider. Sure, women are advancing in society, but Mason has a good salary. It would benefit the household. Isn’t it heartless to care for your parents separately?”
I stood my ground, but I felt cornered. “I don’t know Mason’s income or savings, but quitting my job isn’t an option for me.”
“Do you have such an important job, Chloe?” his father asked, skepticism in his voice.
I hesitated a bit, then nodded. “Yes, actually. My dad runs a company that I’m supposed to take over in a few years.”
The room went silent. Mason’s parents were shocked. I looked at Mason, disappointed he hadn’t informed them.
“So… do you have a higher income then?” his mother asked, her tone changing.
“Because my parents own property, I own a few apartments in my name,” I explained, trying to be humble but honest. “So, yes, I believe my income is higher than Mason’s. I’ve been receiving a substantial income since 9th grade thanks to the properties my dad transferred to me. I don’t spend much, so I have more savings than Mason, too.”
I had heard that men are intimidated by high-earning women, so I was actually relieved when we decided not to disclose our incomes earlier. Mason knew I was studying to become a CEO, but he was also visibly shocked to find out about the apartments.
After that, the conversation turned into an interrogation. How many apartments? How much do I earn? How much have I saved? Even Mason joined in, despite our prior agreement to keep those details private.
I dodged the specific numbers that day and made it home, exhausted. But Mason changed after that. He became increasingly interested in my finances. If we went shopping, he’d point out expensive brands.
“We agreed to keep our finances separate,” I’d remind him. “If you want it, buy it with your own money.”
He’d get visibly moody, and the atmosphere would sour.
The real shock came when Mason stayed over at my house one weekend. When I came out of the bathroom, I found him rummaging through my desk drawers.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Just… seeing if you have a bank book or something,” he replied, looking like a child caught in mischief.
At that moment, the idea of breaking off the engagement crossed my mind. Mason was no longer Prince Charming. He changed his attitude as soon as he learned about my money. But he was my first love. I couldn’t forget the roses. I was torn.
Part 2: The Intruder
As I was mulling over these conflicting emotions, an incident occurred.
I was distracted by a headache at work. Sleep deprivation from worrying about Mason was probably the cause. I felt I couldn’t let personal issues affect my work if I was to become a boss one day. Since it wasn’t a busy period, I decided to leave early.
As I reached my front door, feeling ashamed of my poor health management, I noticed something odd.
The door was unlocked.
For a moment, I wondered if I had forgotten to lock it, but I was meticulous about security. Living alone as a woman, I was fully aware of the risks. So, who unlocked the door?
Despite my unease, I opened it. Only then did the possibility of an intruder hit me. Panicked, I grabbed a heavy umbrella from the stand as a makeshift weapon.
I crept inside. Silence. Then, a noise from the bedroom. A shuffling sound.
A gasp escaped my lips. Someone was still inside. “I can’t handle this on my own. I have to call the police,” I muttered, my hands shaking as I reached for my phone.
Just then, someone sprang out from the hallway.
“NO!” I screamed, cowering in fear, raising the umbrella.
“Wait! Wait! Chloe, wait!”
A familiar voice yelled out.
“Huh?”
I slowly lifted my head. Standing there, wearing a knit cap, a black mask, and gloves, was Mason.
He looked like a burglar. Actually, he was a burglar, because I never gave him a spare key.
“Why?” I whispered, lowering the umbrella.
“I… I wanted to know how much money you make, Chloe,” he stammered, pulling off the mask. He looked pathetic. “So, I snuck into your place.”
“How?” My voice trembled with a mix of fear and rage.
He pulled a key out of his pocket. “A spare key. I made it without asking you when I stayed over last time. I took yours while you were in the shower and got it copied.”
The tears that fell were a mix of relief from mortal danger and boiling rage. I had never been this angry in my life. I pushed away his hand as he tried to rub my back.
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” I screamed.
Mason, who had only seen my calm side, was stunned and fell back on his rear.
“Making a spare key without permission is criminal!” I yelled. “And what’s with the disguise? Were you planning to steal my bank book if I hadn’t come back?”
“No! I just wanted to check!”
“Check what? We agreed to keep our finances separate! I know you changed your attitude the moment you found out I have money!”
I threw the umbrella at him. He staggered back, letting out a pathetic yelp.
Why did I ever think someone so pathetic, sneaky, and greedy was Prince Charming? My dream shattered right there in my hallway.
I grabbed his bag—filled with my financial documents he’d pulled from my safe—and threw it outside. Then I pulled Mason out by the arm.
“Get out!” I yelled. “The engagement is off! I never want to see you again!”
“Wait, Chloe! I truly love you!”
“No need for your love anymore. Goodbye.”
I slammed the door shut and locked it. My love for Mason chilled instantly.
Update: The Aftermath
Everything went surprisingly smoothly after that. I checked my accounts; nothing was missing yet. I explained the situation to my parents, and then I called my future in-laws.
“Please, please don’t sue Mason!” his mother begged over the phone.
I had no intention of suing; I just wanted him gone. “Cutting off ties is enough for me,” I replied coldly.
My parents were furious. My dad was angrier than anyone else. Knowing Mason’s boss personally, my dad made a “casual” phone call.
“Your employee did this to my daughter,” he said.
Mason’s company was lesser in standing compared to my dad’s. Panicked, Mason’s boss transferred him to a remote location and demoted him immediately.
And so, my first love came to an end. I learned the hard way that love is over the moment money becomes the priority.
Later Update:
I heard through the grapevine that Mason eventually married a woman named Lily, a successful CEO in her own right. Mason was handsome, and Lily liked good-looking men. Mason quit his job immediately and lived a life of golf, horse racing, and casinos.
But Lily wasn’t naive. Just a few months into their marriage, she’d had enough of his laziness. She kicked him out, handing him $1,000 and divorce papers. “Lose yourself with this money,” she told him. Lily later told me this story herself—she had no idea I was his ex until we met at a business function years later.
As for me? After the ordeal, I dove into my work. I resolved to make my career my partner. But there was a man who found that intensity appealing. He kept pursuing me, and though I resisted, I eventually fell for him.
Now, we’re married with three children. I’ve taken over my dad’s company as President. My husband? He happily took on all the household duties as a stay-at-home dad. He supports my career fully and wants to join the company once the kids are grown. He is my true partner.
Mason? After Lily left him, he tapped into his parents’ retirement money. He’s been cut off by his family, and nobody knows where he is now.
He was a prime example of how greed can ruin a life. I’m just glad he didn’t ruin mine.