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.”

head back to London once I’ve tied up loose ends here.”

their penthouse, it was past ten. Rosa, their housekeeper, met her

and a covered

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

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

Showering this early?

set down the broth.

of WhatsApp notifications lit up his laptop screen.

JFK! Having dinner with the Paris team, but

minutes

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was rushing to shower–probably heading to their

my career was

back then. But you still think about

guys in Paris, but something was always off. Finally admitted to myself

for ages. Scared you’d hate me, wouldn’t want to see me, maybe had someone serious…

messed up back then, Drake. Any chance you can

feeling her chest tighten.

the chat

need to know one thing, Si: do you still feel

but still texting

Thalia’s heart clenched.

meetings” when she texted. She’d learned to stop

constant communication.

deed

he’d

love and convenience couldn’t be

response was instant.

have, always will. Only

[See you soon?]

three years became

WhatsApp, reset the mouse, erased her presence.

bowl of the broth she’d perfected for Drake’s

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bones simmered for eight hours with fresh vegetables and herbs, finished with gut–healing ingredients. It

expensive, but he’d once mentioned it helped, so she’d made it religiously

two years.

her bowl, Drake came downstairs.

a dark blazer she’d given him for Christmas.

Didn’t see you when I got

some air,” Thalia replied

grabbed his keys. “Got to handle something at the office.

into her empty bowl. “Will you be

moment before answering, “Might crash

runs late.”

who