My Fiancée Wanted a Break Because of a New Guy, So I Packed Up and Moved Cities…

The Big Announcement and the School Visit

The school’s number is still shown on my screen. Next to it is a text notification from Miles to our family group chat.

“Great news. Big announcement at dinner tomorrow night.”

I have a feeling I know what the announcement will be, and I will not let history repeat itself. Update two.

I spent the last hour figuring out how to write this update. The meeting with Miss Anderson showed something I had not expected.

I arrived at Riverside High early and observed students rushing to the first period. A couple of Stella’s classmates knew me, and their quick glances informed me that stories about my absence had already circulated.

Miss Anderson did not waste time after I sat down.

“Stella submitted paperwork to withdraw from her advanced placement classes yesterday,”

She explained, sliding a form across her desk.

“She’s also dropping out of the French Club and student council. When I asked why, she said she’s transferring schools next semester.”

California and the Startup Scam

My chest tightened. Stella battled hard to get into these programs; she had been counting on extracurricular activities to help her college applications.

“There’s more,”

Miss Anderson added.

“Last week she asked me to send her transcripts to three different schools, all in California.”

She halted and attentively observed me. The same city where Miles recently purchased property.

That’s when things started falling into place. I brought out my phone and showed her Miles’ big announcement text.

“Let me guess. He’s opening a new business out there.”

She nodded.

“Stella mentioned something about a startup. Said her father needs family investors to get it off the ground.”

The usual nauseous feeling returned, the same one I received three years ago when Miles persuaded Delilah to lend him money. We never saw the money again.

The Confrontation at Home

I left the school and drove directly to our house. Delilah’s automobile was in the driveway.

I could see her pacing in the kitchen with a phone to her ear. She saw me and ran to answer the door before I could knock.

“He asked her for money,”

She replied promptly.

“Her college fund. He’s been filling her head with promises about this tech startup, saying that if she invests now she’ll make enough to pay for any college she wants.”

“Where is she?”

“Coffee with Miles again,”

Delilah’s voice broke.

“I tried telling her it’s a scam, but she accused me of being jealous that he’s finally stepping up. She said at least he believes in her dreams.”

I sat down at the kitchen counter, the identical location where everything collapsed a week ago.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was back?”

“I tried to handle it myself,”

She exhaled.

“I wondered if I could keep them apart. Then you and Stella got into an argument and she said terrible things and I just panicked. I sided with her because I was terrified not to.”

The Facade Cracks

Before I could react, the front door opened. Stella walked in and froze when she saw me.

She looked different, with makeup applied carefully and dressed in an expensive jacket Miles had most likely purchased for her. Her eyes were crimson.

“What are you doing here?”

She asked. However, her voice lacked its typical sharpness.

“Are you dropping your AP courses? Really?”

I kept my tone gentle.

“What happened to Stanford?”

“Plans change,”

She murmured, avoiding my gaze.

“Dad says—Miles says—”

I said gently. Something flickered on her face.

“He has connections out there. The startup is guaranteed too.”

“As if the classic car dealership were guaranteed? Or a food truck franchise?”

Presenting the Evidence

I took out my laptop and opened the documents that I had spent the morning gathering.

“I did some digging. Want to know Miles’ current company registration status? Or his credit report? Or about the three ongoing cases from his previous ‘guaranteed’ investment opportunity?”

Stella’s hands trembled as she grabbed the laptop. With each click and document, the careful facade cracked a little more.

When she reached the lawsuit filed by his prior stepdaughter’s grandmother to collect college funds he had borrowed, the first tear flowed.

“He said…”

She swallowed hard.

“He said he had changed. He wants to make up for lost time. That we could be a true family if…”

She paused and looked up at me.

“A photo album. He stated I needed to prove I was choosing him. That you were the reason he remained away. You took his place.”

“Oh sweetie,”

Delilah approached, but Stella stepped back.

“I knew,”

She said quietly.

“I guess I knew, but I desperately wanted to believe.”