"Fine, we’ll break up. Since you’re so offended by my money, you must not value it at all. In that case, return the 300,000 dollars I spent on you over the years. Transfer it back—now."
He stiffened at first when I mentioned breaking up, but when I brought up money, he suddenly relaxed.
He thought I was just bluffing—acting out of emotion, playing hard to get.
After all, I’d always been generous to him. There was no way I’d really ask for my money back.
Putting on an act, he said,
"Fine, I’ll return it. I don’t need your money anyway."
But Scarlet, who had used that money to imitate me, was immediately upset.
"No! Brother Ethan, you can’t give her anything! You’re dating—why should she take money back from you?!"
"And didn’t you spend money on her when you were together? Probably even more than she did on you! She’s asking for 300,000? You'd better tally everything so she doesn’t take advantage."
Ethan knew exactly how much he’d spent. He felt guilty, but kept pretending to be noble.
"It’s alright, Scarlet. Celeste’s my girlfriend. If she wants it, I’ll give it to her."
He even winked at me while speaking, as if asking me to let it slide—again.