The Last Waltz

I bankrupted my own company to take my girlfriend’s public, making her dream a reality.

At her IPO celebration, I planned to reveal myself as a billionaire heir and announce our relationship.

But she stepped on stage arm-in-arm with another man.

"Bryan," she said, trembling with excitement, "the pregnancy rumors are true—he’s the father!"

Silence filled the room. Everyone turned to me.

I stood, forced a smile, and started clapping. The crowd erupted.

Watching Sophia glow in Bryan’s arms, I realized—if this was her happiness, I wouldn’t stand in her way.

I walked out and called my father:

"Kill Sophia’s funding. Let her figure out the IPO alone."

1

My father, sharp as ever, knew instantly that something was broken between Sophia and me. He sighed, a heavy sound over the phone. "Bill, are you sure about this? If we pull this funding, Rosewood Tech won't just fail to go public. They'll go under completely. That hole from their tax evasion is too deep to fill."

He paused. "I won't ask why you're making this decision. I just... it's been seven years, son. I don't want you to have any regrets."

Seven years. After I got with Sophia, I cared more about her career than she did. When I first got involved, her company was a black hole, and to keep it from collapsing, I cannibalized my own successful business.

She’d cried, telling me how much it hurt to see me work myself into a bleeding ulcer for her, swearing she would never let me down. She promised that once the company went public, we would finally make our relationship official.

So I worked even harder, all for the day I could stand by her side without hiding.

But promises? They’re just hot air from the person making them, and only a fool believes them.

"Dad," I said firmly. "Just trust me on this."

He didn't press further.

The moment I hung up, Sophia stormed out after me.

"Bill! You're the host. You can't just walk out! That's so unprofessional!"

A cold, humorless laugh escaped my lips. "My duties didn't include emceeing the public announcement of your affair."

Her face went rigid. "You're the host, you host the whole event! You don't get to pick and choose." Her voice rose, dripping with indignation. "Besides, I was telling the truth. Bryan is the father of the child in my belly! I can't very well lie and say it's you, can I?"

She hadn't told me she was pregnant. I found the test in the trash can myself. I didn't question it, just naturally assumed the child was mine. I started taking even better care of her, and she let me, never correcting my assumption.

I never imagined I was just a placeholder, a glorified caretaker for another man's woman and child. The thought was as nauseating as swallowing a fly. I didn't want to waste another breath on her.

"I'm going home."

After a quick shower, I collapsed onto the bed. My phone buzzed. It was a video from Bryan.

I opened it, and the sounds of Sophia's moans filled the quiet room, each one louder than the last. She moved with him, trying different positi...