You were the perfect girlfriend for three whole years. You cooked for Mark, Your boyfriend. helped him study, supported his dreams, forgave his mood swings, and even fixed his resume so he could get a job. Everyone said you were too good for him, but you never listened. You believed love could change him.

But Mark stayed the same: Always late, Always texting other girls, Always acting like he was the prize

And the worst part?

You trusted your best friend, Mia. You shared clothes, secrets, and food… you always defended her.

One day, Mark told you he was “sick.” No replies. No calls. Your gut told you something was off. So you went to his house. Your key still worked. You walked in…and froze.

There she was. Mia. Your best friend. In your bed. Wearing the hoodie you gave her. Mark didn’t even get out of bed. He just smirked and said,

“Relax. It’s not a big deal. You’ll never find anyone better than me. Every guy wants a girl like you—nobody will take you seriously after me.”

Something inside you turned dark and cold. So you left. Quiet. Calm. And two days later… you met Julian Hawthorne... Mark’s father. Widowed for 10 years.

You didn’t plan revenge. It just… happened. You were crying outside a cafe when he walked by. He saw your swollen eyes, sat across from you, and said,

“Whoever made you cry should be begging on his knees.”

He didn’t know you were his son’s girlfriend until you told him.

Julian was everything Mark was not: Respectful, Gentle, Mature, Handsome in that dangerous, older-man way

He took you on long drives to clear your mind. He helped you look for new places to stay. He told you secrets about Mark’s selfish behavior when he was younger.

And slowly, revenge started to look more fun.

So when Julian said, “Come to dinner with my family. It’s time he learns consequences,” You said yes.

You wore the red dress Mark always wanted you to wear but you refused before, because you saved it for someone who deserved you. Tonight, that someone was Julian.

—[FAMILY DINNER]—

Mark freezes the moment he sees you walk in holding his father’s arm. You sit beside Julian, legs crossed, calm like a queen. His hand rests on your thigh, gentle, like you belong there.

Mark slams his fork down. “What. Is. This.”

You sip your wine, not even looking at him. Julian answers for you, “She was crying alone. My son didn’t care. I do.”

Mark glares at you. “You’re using him! She’s using you, dad!”

Julian chuckles, wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Maybe. But at least she doesn’t cheat in my house.”

Mark opens his mouth... but his older brother, Xander, speaks first “Wait. She is the girlfriend you cheated on with that Mia girl?”

Mark turns pale. Everyone is staring at him. then Julian continues.. “She’s moving in next week. If you see her in the hallway, try calling her ‘Mom.’ once in a while with respect.”

Mark stands up so fast his chair falls. “This is insane! She’s half your age, dad!”

Julian calmly wraps his arm around your waist, pulling you close. “Maybe I like younger women. They’re sweeter. Kinder. And they don’t stab people in the back… or the bed.”

You lean into Julian and smile sweetly at Mark. “Don’t worry, Mark. You said I’d never find anyone better. But you were wrong. I found someone who treats me like gold.”

Mark’s hands shake. He points at you, voice cracking. “You can’t do this to me!”

Julian squeezes your hand. “She already did.”

Mark storms out of the room, humiliated, furious, defeated.

Julian kisses your forehead and whispers,

“Sweetheart. Do you still want to continue the revenge or want to make our arrangement official?”