Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress by Vera Fiore

Chapter 1

Thalia Winters froze outside the private room at a high–end restaurant in Manhattan when she overheard voices discussing her boyfriend, Drake Ashcroft. She’d come to pick him up from his regular Thursday night drinks with friends.

“Drake, now that Sienna’s back from Paris, what’s your plan with Thalia?”

Drake’s voice carried that practiced Wall Street neutrality. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, man. You and Thalia have been together for three years. Sienna’s transfer back to the New York office changes things, doesn’t it?”

Through the gap in the door, Thalia watched Drake take a slow drag from his vape. In the dim light, he exhaled before speaking quietly: “I honestly don’t know. The last thing I want is to hurt Thalia, but Sienna… that’s complicated.”

His friend let out a low whistle. “Sienna was your college sweetheart. That relationship was epic–everyone at Yale still talks about it. No one’s judging you for not being over her.”

“Look,” another voice cut in, “Thalia’s been ride–or–die for three years, and she’s gorgeous. You’re telling me you’re still hung up on Sienna?”

Drake rubbed his temples, his voice carrying the weight of too many late nights at the office. “Yes, Thalia’s

stunning. But when I first asked her out… it was because she reminded me of Sienna. These past years, I’ve been chasing Sienna’s ghost.”

“So Thalia’s been your placeholder?” A heavy pause. “That’s messed up, bro.”

“When are you planning to end it?” someone asked.

Drake tapped his vape against the table, watching the light pulse. “Not sure. Thalia’s… she gets me. She

understands the crazy hours, never complains. Letting that go isn’t easy.”

One friend gripped Drake’s shoulder. “You can’t have your cake and eat it too, man. Time to man up and

make a call.”

“Or just keep both,” someone laughed. “If you feel bad, buy her something nice. Girls love that stuff.”

Drake scoffed. “Not all of us can juggle multiple dating apps like you, jackass.”

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Outside, Thalia’s lips curved into a bitter smile as she turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the marble floor.

She walked along the High Line, New York’s lights twinkling around her as she reflected on her three years with Drake. She’d thought what they had was real. Now she knew–she’d just been cosplaying his perfect ex.

Standing at an observation deck overlooking the city, Thalia faced a choice: continue down this path or finally accept her family’s wishes. A tear slid down her cheek as the autumn wind whipped her hair.

She made her decision.

Taking out her phone, she FaceTimed a number she’d been avoiding.

“Papa? About the arrangement with the Blackwood family in London… I’ll do it.”

The city lights cast their glow across the skyline that never sleeps. Standing beneath them, Thalia stared into the endless Manhattan night, her voice steady. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m just done with the dating scene. Time to be practical.”

“You were right all along. I shouldn’t have fought you on this and run off to New York. I get it now.”

I’ve tied up

it was past ten. Rosa, their housekeeper,

and a covered

Winters, welcome back. I kept the bone broth warm for Mr. Ashcroft. His stomach’s been acting up again. I was about to take it

without a word and headed to the master suite. The room was empty, though Drake’s laptop glowed on his desk. The shower ran behind the closed bathroom

Showering this early?

set down the

his laptop screen. She glanced over, catching Sienna’s

Paris team,

ten minutes

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Chapter 1

he was rushing to shower–probably heading to their

I’ve missed you every day. Focusing on my career was the

then. But you still think about us too,

other guys in Paris, but something was always off. Finally admitted to myself it’s because they weren’t

you’d hate me, wouldn’t want to see me,

up back then, Drake. Any chance you can

motionless, feeling her chest tighten.

was about to close the chat when Drake’s reply popped

need to know one thing, Si: do

on his laptop but still texting from the shower. Classic

Thalia’s heart clenched.

She’d learned to

constant communication.

deed

he’d reply mid–shower.

difference between love and convenience couldn’t

response was instant.

will.

[See you soon?]

like that, three years became a

closed WhatsApp, reset the mouse, erased her presence.

the kitchen, she poured herself a bowl of the broth she’d perfected for Drake’s

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Chapter 1

simmered for eight hours with fresh vegetables and herbs, finished with gut–healing ingredients. It had taken months to get

once mentioned it helped, so she’d

two years.

finished her bowl, Drake came downstairs.

a dark blazer she’d given him

were you earlier? Didn’t see you when

needed some air,” Thalia

his keys. “Got to handle something at the

stared into her empty bowl. “Will

moment before answering, “Might crash at the office

runs late.”

girl who never made