The Million-Dollar Goodbye

I took the million bucks the Shen family offered and broke up with Jake Shen.

Five years later, Jake was a major movie star, and I was a newly-returned entertainment reporter.

We met at an interview, and I read from my notes:

“So, Mr. Shen, can you give us any scoop on your love life?”

Jake twirled a ring on his finger, his tone casual. “Yeah, there was this girl once. She dumped me for the money, though.”

He looked at me directly, a smirk playing on his lips, "Reporter, uh…Sarah, you think she was a real piece of work, right?"

The live stream exploded. Viewers went wild trying to figure out which woman had been so cold-hearted.

I froze, not sure how to respond to Jake’s jab.

After what felt like an eternity, Jake stopped playing with his ring, a slight smile on his face. "Just kidding, nobody would be that heartless, selling their soul for cash."

I let out a breath, weakly agreeing, "Real comedian, Mr. Shen."

When the stream ended, the crew began packing up. Jake grabbed his jacket off the chair and stood up, acting like no one else was around.

My eyes followed him. He noticed, turned around, and pointed at my press badge.

"Sarah Miller, right? Anything else you need?"

I realized my mistake and quickly looked down, explaining, “No, nothing."

He raised an eyebrow, looking at me like I was a piece of trash. “There are plenty of people in this town who would love to cling to me. Don’t get any ideas.”

I stood quietly, waiting for him and his team to leave. I wouldn’t dare. I was too timid.

I was back then, too.

That’s when his fancy Hollywood agent showed up at school. That's how I found out the guy I'd been dating for two years was the son of a business mogul and a famous actress.

I watched him put on an expensive custom-tailored suit and get into a car I’d never seen. A bunch of beefy bodyguards formed a wall, holding back the excited crowd.

I couldn't believe that the guy I'd shared instant noodles with just days ago was now someone I’d have to fight to even see.

That night, Jake sneaked back.

He stood below my dorm window all night, and when he saw me in the morning, he squeezed my hand and said, "Sarah, trust me. I'll give you a future."

The next day, he was on a huge billboard in Times Square. “Jake Shen, the next big thing!”

Jake’s agent, a sharp woman named Olivia, tracked me down.

Without a word, she slid a bank card across the table. "Mrs. Shen asked me to talk to you. Frankly, you're not worth her time."

"You know you and Jake are from different worlds. It’ll never work out."

"Take the money and go. It's the best thing for everyone."

I glanced at the TV screen in the coffee shop. It was a loop of Jake’s commercials.

A celebrity’s son had all the resources others could only dream of. He moved so effortlessly in front of the camera. Like he was born for it.

And me? I was just a rat in the gutter.

I wanted to be like in the movies, throw the card back in her face and say I’d never leave Jake, that she could go to...