When His Family Pretended to Be Poor, I Pretended to Be Broke and Learned the Truth

When Adrien and I left that night, he apologized for his family being so intense. They just worry, he said, because money’s always been tight for us, so they get protective about making sure he doesn’t end up in a difficult situation.

I kissed his cheek and told him I understood, then asked if we could stay at my place that night. He agreed, and when we got to my modest one-bedroom apartment in a middle-class neighborhood, I could see him relax.

What he didn’t know was that I also owned the penthouse downtown and a beach house in Malibu. This apartment served its purpose for maintaining appearances.

Over the next two weeks, Adrien’s family ramped up their poor family act while simultaneously digging into my background. Mitchell friended me on social media, and I watched him screenshot my carefully curated posts showing thrift store finds and budget meals.

Veronica invited me to lunch and spent the whole time talking about how expensive everything was and how she wished she could afford nicer things. The performance was exhausting, but I played along, showing up to family gatherings in Target clothes and driving my decade-old backup car.

I complained about my landlord raising rent and mentioned picking up extra freelance work to make ends meet. I watched them exchange satisfied glances, clearly believing their test was working.

Then Adrien’s birthday came around. His family planned a small party at the ranch house and I showed up with a gift I’d spent considerable time selecting.

It was a first edition book he’d mentioned wanting, and it had cost me $12,000 at auction. However, I’d had it rebound in a cheap cover and told him I’d found it at a used bookstore for $20.

He was thrilled, having no idea of its actual value. His family looked at the cheap gift with barely concealed disappointment.

That’s when Diane pulled me aside again.

“Sloan, honey, can we talk?” She led me to the kitchen where Veronica and Richard were waiting.

The three of them looked at me with these serious expressions, and I knew the real conversation was about to happen. Richard started by saying they’d all grown very fond of me over the past few weeks.

Diane added that they could see how happy I made Adrien. Then Veronica cut to the chase.

“But we’re concerned about the financial dynamic of your relationship.” I asked what they meant, playing innocent.

Veronica said they’d noticed I was struggling financially, which was completely understandable, but they worried about how that would affect Adrien’s future.

“He’s worked so hard to get where he is,” Richard said.

“We just don’t want to see him held back by having to support someone who can’t contribute equally.” The words hung in the air and I let them.

Diane jumped in with what she probably thought was a kind tone.

“We’re not saying you’re a bad person, Sloan. We can see you have a good heart. But sometimes love isn’t enough. Sometimes practical considerations have to matter too.”

I asked if they were asking me to break up with Adrien and the three of them exchanged looks.

“We’re asking you to think about what’s best for him,” Veronica said carefully.

“Is it fair to let him build a future with someone who’s going to be a financial burden?” I felt my jaw clench, but I kept my voice steady.

I told them I understood their concerns but Adrien and I were adults who could make our own decisions about our relationship. Richard shook his head.

“We hoped you’d be reasonable about this. We’re prepared to make it worth your while to walk away.” He pulled out an envelope and set it on the counter between us.

“There’s $5,000 in there. Take it, tell Adrien you’re moving for a job opportunity, and let him move on with his life.”

I stared at the envelope, then at the three of them. Diane actually had tears in her eyes like she hated doing this.

Veronica looked business-like and cold. Richard just looked determined.

I picked up the envelope, opened it, and counted the cash while they watched. Then I laughed.

It started as a chuckle but built into full genuine laughter that made all three of them uncomfortable.

“Is something funny?” Veronica asked with an edge to her voice.

I pulled out my phone and opened my banking app, turning the screen so they could all see it. The balance showed $847,000, and that was just my personal checking account.

“You want to pay me $5,000 to leave your son?” I said, still laughing.

“I spent more than that on his birthday present. That $20 book? First edition, authenticated, purchased at Sotheby’s.”

The color drained from Diane’s face. Richard grabbed the phone to look closer at the screen.

Veronica’s mouth literally fell open. I took my phone back and pulled up my LinkedIn profile, the real one I’d hidden from Adrien and his family.

Sloan Whitmore, founder and former CEO of Catalyst Digital Marketing, sold the company last year for $8.3 million. Currently on the board of directors for three Fortune 500 companies, net worth somewhere north of 15 million depending on the market.

I watched them process this information, their faces going through various stages of shock and confusion. Then I pulled up the photos I’d been collecting over the past few weeks.

I had screenshots of Richard’s dealerships, Diane’s board positions, Veronica’s law firm partnership, and their actual house in Meadowbrook with the Tesla in the driveway.