Chapter 1Lottery day, my boyfriend blew up my phone. "Babe, I won! TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS!"
I was about to say congrats when he cut me off first.
"Wait wait wait—I'll send you your cut RIGHT NOW!"
So sweet.
My phone buzzed.
Venmo: $2.00 received.
Note: Ticket money. We're done.
I stared at those two bucks.
Three years together, and that's ALL I was worth to him.
I smiled. Bitter.
"Got it."
My hands shook as I hung up. Poured myself a drink.
What he didn't know?
My ticket hit sixty million.
...
Lottery day, Jaxon's calls came in nonstop.
I picked up like fifteen times. My phone was burning hot in my hand.
"I WON! Chloe! I really won! Twenty million!"
His voice cracked on the other end, wild with this manic kind of joy.
He jumped in before I could speak.
"Don't worry, I'm giving you your share right now!"
Something in my chest warmed up a little at that.
Maybe he wasn't as bad as I thought.
My phone buzzed.
I opened Venmo.
New payment notification.
Amount: $2.00.
Note: Ticket money. We're square.
The air went dead quiet.
On the other end, Jaxon was still going off about his plans.
"I'm gonna get a car first, like a Porsche!"
"Then I'll redo my mom's house—no wait, tear it down and build a whole new place! Three stories!"
"And my mom needs surgery, so I'll get her top doctors!"
His voice sounded distant.
All I could see was that two dollars.
We'd been together three years. Buying lottery tickets was our thing.
He'd pick the numbers. I'd pay. One ticket each.
Two bucks a ticket.
Today, he won twenty million.
And sent me two bucks back.
Square.
I almost laughed.
There was this fire stuck in my throat. It hurt to breathe.
"Got it."
"Great!" Jaxon sounded relieved.
"Look, Chloe, you know things are different now."
"The gap between us... it's too big. It's not fair to you."
"You're a great girl. You'll find someone better for you."
He was actually giving me the "it's not you, it's me" speech.
"Yeah." I replied.
"I'll swing by later to grab some stuff. We can talk it through in person."
"Sure. Come over."
I hung up.
Went straight to the back of my drawer and pulled out MY ticket.
The numbers were based on my birthday.
I opened my phone. Pulled up the winning numbers. Checked them one by one.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Every single number matched.
First prize. Power Play.
Sixty million dollars.
I carefully put the ticket back in the drawer and locked it.
Then I walked into the living room and flipped our photo frame facedown on the table.
I did the math.
From his place to mine, forty minutes if traffic was good.
Right now, he'd be heading to the bank to confirm.
Calling his family.
Probably blowing up the group chat with cash drops.
By the time he remembered me—his "ex"—it'd be at least two hours.
Plenty of time.
I opened my laptop and searched "best divorce lawyer in Portland."
We weren't married.
But they'd have the most experience with messy financial stuff.
I picked the most expensive one and called the assistant.
"Hi, I need legal advice on property transfers and asset agreements."
"I need a contract with full legal standing."
"Rush job. I'll pay triple."
The assistant's voice was all business.
"Can you give me an estimate of the asset value?"
"We need to assess the scope and risk."
I looked out the window. Sky was gray. Looked like rain.
"A property. And... some verbal promises that might come up later."
I paused.
"Also, I need a lawyer at my place in two hours. With recording equipment."
"Of course, ma'am. Can you provide your address?"
I gave it to her and hung up.
Only then did I realize how thirsty I was.
I poured myself ice water and downed it in one go.
Slammed the glass on the table. It made a loud thud.
Jaxon, you better not let me down.
Do your worst.
The doorbell rang exactly two hours later.
Even faster than I expected.
I looked through the peephole.
Two people standing there.
Jaxon. And his mom.
The smug look on Linda's face was practically oozing through the door.
I took a deep breath and unlocked it.
Chapter 2
The door swung open, and I got hit with this thick cloud of cheap perfume.
Mixed with that gross new-money energy.
Jaxon stood behind his mom, avoiding my eyes.
Linda, though?
She walked in like she owned the place.
"Chloe. Place hasn't changed much, huh."
Like she was commenting on a dump she never liked anyway.
I didn't say anything. Just stepped aside to let them in.
Jaxon kicked off his shoes and stood there awkwardly in the entryway.
Linda, however, walked right in wearing those brand-new heels with the fake diamonds glued on.
Click. Click. Click.
"Jaxon's different now."
Linda finally looked back at me. Straight to the point.
"He won twenty million. That's life-changing."
"Our whole family hit the jackpot."
I looked at her. Nodded.
"Congrats."
My calm seemed to piss her off.
"You're a smart girl."
"You get how important it is to be with someone on your level."
Her tone dripped with fake pity.
"Before, I thought you were fine for Jaxon."
"But now? You make what, ten grand a month?"
"Compared to my son, you're dirt."
Jaxon's face went red, then white.
He tugged on her sleeve.
"Mom, stop."
Linda yanked her arm away. Her voice shot up.
"Which part isn't true? You're too soft, son!"
"I'm not letting some girl take advantage of you!"
"This apartment—when we bought it, we put down two hundred thousand."
"Her family didn't pay a dime!"
"You insisted on putting her name on it for 'security' or whatever."
"Well, now you're breaking up. What happens to the apartment?"
There it was.
That's why they came.
I wanted to laugh, but I kept my face blank.
"Linda, you're remembering it wrong."
My voice was quiet but clear.
"The down payment was five hundred thousand total."
"My family paid three hundred. Yours paid two hundred."
"Jaxon said that two hundred was part of the engagement money."
"An advance."
"I've been paying the mortgage ever since. Eight thousand a month."
"I've got bank records and receipts for all of it."
Linda's face turned purple.
She didn't expect me to remember. Or fight back.
"You... you're lying!"
"We gave two hundred thousand, that's a fact!"
"Engagement money only counts if you actually get married."
"Since you're not, that's a loan!"
She was just making stuff up now.
"Mom!" Jaxon finally snapped at her.
He turned to me. His eyes were begging. Guilty.
"Chloe, let's just talk this out."
"The apartment... look, I won the lottery. I'm obviously gonna buy a mansion now."
"But this place—my mom's money went into it. They want it back."
"For... for my brother. When he gets married."
I stared at him.
A few hours ago, he was telling me he loved me.
That he'd give me a home.
Now he was dragging his college-aged brother into this just to take back the apartment.
"So you want me to give you the apartment back?" I asked.
"Not give back—return what's ours!"
Linda jumped in.
"It should've been ours all along!"
"Fine."
The second those words left my mouth, the whole room went silent.
Jaxon and Linda both froze.
They probably had this whole plan ready—threats, guilt trips, tantrums.
They didn't expect me to just agree.
Jaxon's eyes lit up for a second. Then guilt crept back in.
Linda didn't even try to hide her greed.
"You serious?" she asked, testing me.
"Yeah." I nodded.
"But I have one condition."
"I knew it!" Linda's guard shot back up.
"How much do you want?"
"Listen, Chloe, don't get greedy."
"That twenty million is Jaxon's. You don't get a cent of it!"
"That two bucks he sent you? That was generous!"
"I don't want money."
I looked right at them.
"I just want everything in writing. An agreement."
"What kind of agreement?" Jaxon asked.
"A property settlement and relationship termination agreement."
I'd rehearsed this part.
"I'll transfer the apartment to you for free."
"But we need to make a few things crystal clear in writing."
I paused and looked between the two of them.
"First. You, Jaxon, initiated the breakup."
"The reason?"
"You won twenty million and decided the financial gap between us was too big. We're not compatible anymore."
Jaxon's expression shifted slightly.
"Second. The two hundred thousand your family put toward the down payment wasn't a loan."
"It was an engagement gift."
"I'm voluntarily giving up my claim to it and returning the entire property."
"Third. And this is the important one."
I looked at Linda. Let a tiny smile touch my lips.
"The agreement states that once you take back the apartment, we're done."
"All financial ties, all emotional ties—wiped clean."
"You go your way, I go mine."
"You can't come after me for anything ever again."
My terms sounded perfect for them.
I was giving back the apartment, taking all the blame, and promising to disappear forever.
Jaxon's whole body relaxed.
He let out this huge breath like he'd just dodged a bullet.
Linda only had eyes for the apartment.
"Where's the contract? Let's sign it now!"
"Hold on." I checked my phone.
"I already called a lawyer."
"They're bringing a proper contract and recording equipment."
"Everything we sign will be legally binding."
"A lawyer? What a waste of money!"
Linda muttered, but she looked even happier.
To her, hiring a lawyer just meant I was making this "unequal treaty" more official. More secure for her.
Jaxon chimed in.
"Chloe, isn't this a bit much..."
"It's necessary."
I cut him off. My tone left no room for argument.
"This protects both of us."
"Let's get it done right. No loose ends."
The doorbell rang.
I went to answer it.
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit stood there with his young assistant.
He nodded at me.
"Ms. Bennett. I'm Mr. Harrison."
I let them in and gestured toward Jaxon and Linda.
"Mr. Harrison, these are the other parties."
Mr. Harrison's eyes swept over them with that cool, professional lawyer stare.
Even Linda seemed to shrink a little under it.
I clapped my hands lightly.
"Let's get started."
The assistant moved quickly, setting up a small camera and voice recorder on the coffee table.
The little red lights blinked in the dim living room.
Like tiny eyes watching every greedy intention.
Chapter 3
Mr. Harrison worked fast.
He pulled a pre-drafted agreement out of his briefcase.
The title read:
"Voluntary Agreement Regarding Termination of Relationship and Property Settlement."
"Ms. Bennett, Mr. Reed, Ms. Reed."
His voice was calm and professional.
"Per Ms. Bennett's request, I've prepared this agreement."
"I'll now go through it line by line."
"To ensure all parties' true intentions are captured, per my client's instructions, this entire process is being recorded."
Linda and Jaxon glanced at each other.
This whole setup felt a bit much.
But the thought of walking away with a half-million-dollar apartment without a fight?
They could sit through it.
"Article One: Party A (Ms. Chloe Bennett) and Party B (Mr. Jaxon Reed) voluntarily agree to officially terminate their romantic relationship as of today."
Mr. Harrison looked up at Jaxon.
"Mr. Reed, did you initiate this breakup?"
Jaxon's jaw twitched.
He looked at his mom, then at me.
Finally, he nodded. "Yeah."
"And the reason?"
Mr. Harrison pressed, like a robot with no feelings.
"I... I won the lottery. Twenty million."
"I just... we don't work anymore."
Jaxon's voice was barely a whisper.
"Noted." Mr. Harrison scribbled in his notepad.
"Article Two: This property is currently registered under Ms. Chloe Bennett."
"After mutual discussion, she voluntarily agrees to transfer 100% ownership to Mr. Jaxon Reed, free of charge."
Linda's breathing sped up.
"Mr. Harrison, can we add a detail here?" I spoke up suddenly.
Everyone's eyes snapped to me.
Linda's expression turned suspicious.
"What are you trying to add?"
"Relax, Linda." I smiled gently.
"Just making sure the facts are clear."
"Mr. Harrison, please note that the down payment for this property was five hundred thousand dollars total."
"Party A, Ms. Chloe Bennett, contributed three hundred thousand."
"Party B's mother, Ms. Linda Reed, contributed two hundred thousand."
"You—" Linda started to snap.
I kept going.
"Also note that Ms. Linda Reed's two hundred thousand was given as an engagement gift."
"It was not a loan."
"Now, since the marriage will not take place, Party A, Ms. Chloe Bennett, voluntarily returns the entire property to Party B."
My words sounded like legal jargon.
But the logic was airtight.
I completely shut down any claim that it was a "loan."
I defined it as a "conditional gift."
And now, I was "voluntarily" giving it up.
Jaxon and Linda didn't know much about the law.
To them, it sounded perfect.
"Fine! Write it exactly like that!"
Linda waved her hand, scared I'd change my mind.
Mr. Harrison nodded and quickly added the amendment to the agreement.
"Article Three: Upon signing this agreement, Party A, Party B will have no further financial or emotional entanglements."
"Party B may not interfere with Party A's life for any reason."
"In the event of violation, the breaching party will pay the non-breaching party damages for emotional distress in the amount of..."
Mr. Harrison paused and looked at me.
"Ms. Bennett, what amount would you like to specify?"
I looked at Jaxon's face. Took my time.
"Twenty million."
"WHAT?"
Jaxon and Linda both shot out of their seats.
"Are you insane? What gives you the right?" Linda shrieked.
"Linda, relax."
I kept my voice calm.
"It's just a deterrent clause."
"The whole point of this agreement is that I'm giving you the apartment."
"I only have one request—that you leave me alone afterward."
"As long as you can do that, this clause never comes into play."
"You're getting a half-million-dollar apartment in exchange for a promise to never bother me again."
"That's fair, isn't it?"
My words had this weird persuasive quality.
To them, they were getting everything.
Why would they ever need to come after me?
They'd be the ones avoiding me.
This clause was just a pathetic security blanket for the loser. That's how they saw it.
Jaxon hesitated.
But Linda had already made up her mind for him.
"Fine! Twenty million, whatever!"
"Who cares about bothering you? Sign it!"
Mr. Harrison printed three copies of the finalized agreement and laid them on the coffee table.
"If everything looks correct, please sign."
Linda snatched up a pen and practically stabbed her signature onto the paper.
Jaxon signed right after.
I picked up my pen and carefully wrote "Chloe Bennett" in the Party A section.
Once the agreement was signed, Mr. Harrison and his assistant packed up and politely excused themselves.
I walked them to the door.
Mr. Harrison spoke quietly.
"Ms. Bennett, all audio and video files have been backed up."
"The agreement is now in effect."
"I'll make sure they move quickly on the property transfer."
"Thanks, Mr. Harrison."
I closed the door.
Only the three of us left in the living room now.
Linda held that agreement.
The wrinkles on her face stretched with her grin.
"Alright, Chloe, we won't stick around."
"We'll send people to clear out the apartment in a couple days."
"You pack up your personal stuff and get out soon." Her tone was all orders.
"Sure."
"Jaxon, let's go! We need to tell your dad the good news!"
Linda grabbed Jaxon and marched toward the door like a general who'd just won a war.
Jaxon paused while putting his shoes back on.
He glanced back at me.
His expression was complicated.
Relief. Guilt. And something else I couldn't quite read.
Pity, maybe.
He probably thought I'd lost everything.
Some pathetic girl who got dumped for millions, and stupidly gave away her only asset.
"Chloe," he finally said.
"I'm sorry. You... take care of yourself."
I looked at him. Didn't say a word.
The door slammed shut.
Complete silence.
I walked to the window. Watched them get into a brand-new white BMW parked downstairs.
Probably Jaxon's first car.
Not the Porsche he'd dreamed of, but close enough.
The engine started. They disappeared into traffic.
I pulled out my phone and dialed another number.
"Hi, is this the Oregon Lottery office?"
"I'd like to ask—do I need to make an appointment to claim a sixty-million-dollar prize?"
