Million Dollar Goodbye, The Scumbag's Wedding

Mrs. Thompson offered me a cool million to ditch her son.

I thought Ethan and I were the real deal, so I was gonna joke about it with him.

Yeah, that didnt happen. After a pretty great afternoon, I accidentally answered his phone.

Honey, do you think the wedding invites should be embossed or just plain?

I felt like I'd been plunged into ice water.

Ethan was getting married? What the hell was I to him?

The day he tied the knot, I boxed up every single memory of us and mailed it to him, then hopped on a plane outta here.

Two years later, Ethan pulled every string he could find to lure me back, all so I could watch some fireworks.

Up on the old fort, the cherry blossoms were falling like rain, and he was staring at me with bloodshot eyes.

"Remember when you were nineteen, you said anyone who watches fireworks together is bound for life? Does that still count?"

After things got heated between us, Ethan went to take a shower.

I was lying in bed, talking to him through the glass door. "Ethan, your mom came to see me today."

His voice was muffled. "What was that?"

Suddenly, his phone started buzzing like crazy. I groaned, my muscles aching, and grabbed it.

A bright, cheery voice chirped, "Honey, do you think the wedding invites should be embossed or just plain?"

I felt like Id been plunged into ice water.

So, his mom was telling the truth. Ethan was getting married.

What the hell was I?

Ethan came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel. I was still frozen in the same position. He nuzzled my neck, asking, Something wrong?

I pushed him away, trying to sound casual, Your fiance wants to know if she should emboss her invitations.

Without hesitation, he ripped off the towel, threw on a designer suit, and bolted out the door.

That night, I scrubbed myself raw, but I couldnt wait up for Ethan to call, because he didnt.

Ethan and I went to high school together. Back then, he was the golden boy, the rich kid everyone worshipped.

Girls were lining up to date him, he had a ton of love letters in his locker everyday. I really couldn't believe hed be interested in someone like me.

So, when he confessed he had feelings for me at graduation, I didn't believe him.

He went out of his way to prove he was serious and came with me to my family lake house, and ate at the local dive bar.

For two whole months, he told me he liked me every day, scared Id forget.

Finally, right before college started, I agreed to be his girlfriend.

We had the best years together, like any other normal college couple would.

After graduation, he took over the family business, and I landed a job teaching English at the best private school in the city.

Turns out, the guy who financed the school was one of Ethans buddies.

It hit me then that my life had been connected to Ethan for years.

And now, all it takes is one phone call from his fiance, and he drops everything.

Worried hed waste a second of her time, that would make her upset.

I didnt even know when he got a fiance.

And that was it for us, one year gone.

The next time I saw him, he acted like nothing happened, picking me up after work.

Claire, Ill see you tonight, right?

Slap!

The sound rang in the air. I stepped back.

He moved in close, trapping me against his car.

His eyes were intense and pointed at my chest, Did you think this was a fashion show?

I pushed him away, raising my hand, but he caught it mid-air.

Claire, is this a game to you?

He asks me, is this a game?

The guy who used to treat me like gold was asking me if I was acting childish.

Our eight-year love story became me throwing a hissy fit.

In his eyes, I was just someone he wanted to hide, and never show the public.

I bit my lip hard, spitting in his face.

Ethan, youre trash!

He grabbed me, his tone softer.

I dont want to hurt you. We can go back to how it used to be if you want.

Act like nothings happening and be his secret girlfriend.

He continues to persuade me, Claire, you should know what kind of girl I should be marrying, and I cant be with you.

The Harrington and Thompson families have a partnership. Sarah Harrington is next in line for the company, so our marriage would work out perfectly.

I asked him, What about me?

He smiled, Claire, Ive made myself very clear. As an English teacher, this should be something you understand.

Not to mention your family life. Youre a small-time teacher and you cant keep up with the business, you cant keep up with me.

Completely laughable. I threw up my hand and slapped him, taking him by surprise, he pushed me into the car.

Are you crazy?

I grabbed his wrist, biting down hard. He let me bite, till blood filled my mouth, and I finally let go.

Ethan, youre the worst. I liked you because you were pure, and you were the one who thought I wasnt deep enough. You really do say everything.

Ethan didnt say anything, getting back into the drivers seat.

I was too tired to fight, I let him take me to wherever he wanted.

Thirty minutes later, the car stopped.

In front of my apartment.

Right before getting out, Ethan handed me two invitations.

Which looks better, the plain or embossed?

His words cut deep into my heart, and made it hard to breathe.

I took the invitations and threw them in his face, the paper scrapping his cheeks, leaving a red mark.

My heart hurt, and it felt like a heavy rock was pressing on me, feeling like I was going to explode.

I turned and walked up to my apartment.

Ethan knew how to make it hurt.

When we were in love, I didnt think the one hurting me most would be the person I loved most.

The next day, Sarah Harrington showed up at school.

Shes really pretty, and just as loud as she sounds.

Leave him alone, and leave Ethan.

She got straight to the point.

Do you love him? I asked.

Sarah scoffed, Its a business deal, love is never the point. If it helps the company, it could be John or Paul instead of Ethan.

Actually, Ive known about you for a while, so what? Ethans marrying me, and Im going to be the future Mrs. Thompson.

Ive been lucky to have everything I wanted, and if hes going to marry me, he has to get rid of his friends. So, you have to leave.

I suddenly felt like laughing. Laughing that I was so stupid, and that Ethan deserved it.

Sarah, Im not going anywhere, and I wont get mixed up with Ethan anymore. I know whats right and wrong.

Im not gonna be the bad guy.

Sarah knew I was calling her out, but it was the truth, and she put her hand down.

Muttering, That jerk, Ethan.

Sarah didnt get the results she wanted, so she tried a different approach to get me to leave.

If I knew that day how dirty she would play, I would have left without saying a word.

[Teacher at Clover High sleeps with rich businessman] started trending on Twitter.

Pictures of Ethan and I having sex in my apartment were leaked online, with Ethan blurred out, but I was on full display.

Mr. Reynolds called me into his office.

I know that was Ethan, but this is getting out of hand. The school has decided to let you go.

And that was it. I was hated by the students, complained about by the parents, and I lost my job.

When I got home, someone threw eggs all over my front door.

I unlocked the door, and my mom was sitting on the couch waiting for me.

Before I could turn, a mug hit me.

It hit my head, and fell to the floor in a pile of glass.

It was the mug Ethan got me.

You still have the nerve to come home, why dont you just drop dead?!

Your face is all over town, what did you think the neighbors would say?

I cant believe what youve done. You know I hate cheaters and you act like one. What is wrong with you.

I started crying and told her, Mom, I didnt, thats not me, he framed me.

She slapped me, So you mean to tell me the boy tricked you into sleeping with him, or you wanted his money?

She pulls out a knife on her neck, Record a video for your family saying youre not my daughter.

I recorded the video and sent it to the family group chat, she was proud.

Adding, Starting today, Claire and I are no longer family, whatever she does has nothing to do with me, you guys can blame her dad.

After, she looked at me, Even though we arent related, I need help paying the bills. You have to pay me for everything.

I gave her everything I had saved up, seeing old pictures and throwing them away.

She says, The fact that you lived with me makes me sick. The fact that you had an affair is just gross.

My mom left, and the chaos had finally stopped.

I slid down the wall, and didnt know how long it had been, but my legs were numb.

My phone rang, and I picked up, hearing Ethans voice.

You okay? Dont act like everything is a big deal.

Her fianc humiliated me, and he was telling me to not act like it was a big deal.

I cursed him, Screw you, and hung up.

I picked up my phone, and took pictures of everything, every text, every photo, and every present and posted it on Twitter.

Im the woman who cheated with Ethan, but Im not a cheater. Sarah and Ethan are trying to make me out as a bad person.

I knew that Ethan and Sarah were having a wedding. I all of a sudden realized that our eight-year relationship was not real. He could have broken up with me earlier but he didnt.

He wanted someone to be a good girlfriend, and someone to marry. Now both are trying to make me look like a bad person, I know Ethan is gonna say that I cheated with him.

After I posted, it got a lot of attention, but the family was shutting everything down.

The Thompson stock decreased, and both Sarah and Ethan didnt have time for me.

Ethans phone popped up.

It was a picture of my mom playing Mahjong.

Claire, youre a smart person. Your words earlier caused the Thompsons to lose money, you know what to do.

I was living with my mom, and she was a very private person.

I couldnt let anything happen to her.

I had to say sorry.

After opening the stream, a bunch of people joined.

Ethan texted, Dont say whats not important, just say what you need to say.

I said to him, Go screw yourself.

The comments started flowing, a lot of people started standing with me, with others standing with Sarah and Ethan.

There are a lot of terrible people out there, and its happened many times before.

Girl, be strong, we believe you.

Her? Thompson doesnt need a woman like that, he can cheat on her with anyone. She looks like she wants money from him.

Ethan has a lot of money, hes not blind. If I was Ethan, I would marry Sarah.

Girl, let me tell you, its hard to marry rich, come with me.

With a lot of eyes watching, I started talking.

Today Im here to say that I messed up.

Comments: ?

I continued, I was in a relationship with Ethan for a couple of years, but its over. Sarah and Ethan are right for each other. I was wrong to not give up.

Im sorry to everyone I affected, sorry.

The comments changed quickly, and a lot of people started cursing me.

But Ive heard a lot of those words, and Im already used to it.

The stream ended.

There was a knock on my door.

I was in my apartment, and didnt care who was at the door.

Someone trying to find me.

I heard the door unlock.

A big person walked to me, and sat next to me.

Without guessing, I knew it was Ethan.

He said to me, Youre being smart, the house in the city has already been signed with your name. This is the best I can do.

If you want, we can act like this never happened.

He knew how to make me upset. Seeing that I didnt respond, he continued, After everything, who will be with you?

I sat up, and quietly walked to him.

I slapped him.

He smiled, patting the spot where I hit him, he was happy.

Youre trash.

He grabbed my arm, and smiled, You didnt know?

I yelled, Screw you.

He picked up his coat, and put a card on the table, This card has $5 million, use it how you want.

My emotions were running high, and my body was starting to hurt, and blood was running down my legs.

Before losing control, I called 911.

It was the best thing I could do, to not be with Ethan anymore.