The Backup Plan's Billionaire Upgrade Chapter 1

I picked up a deaf boyfriend.

I lied to him, saying I worked three jobs a day just to pay for his medical treatment.

In reality, I'd just wander around outside all day before coming home.

After all, I was only in it for his body. There was no need to actually exhaust myself.

One day, at an exclusive club, I unexpectedly saw him sitting in a private VIP room.

My pitiful little puppy had suddenly transformed into an aloof, wealthy young master.

Someone asked him how much longer he was going to keep up the act.

He smiled carelessly. "Once Mia gets back to the States, she'll naturally have to disappear."

"Worst case, I'll just throw her a few million as compensation."

Only then did I realize that I was nothing more than a stand-in for his "first love."

Heartbroken, I prepared to turn around and leave.

But as I turned, his even more handsome friend sneered at me:

"Stop acting. The corners of your mouth are practically touching your ears."

* * *

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I eyed him warily.

But secretly, I was admiring the tight, defined muscles visible beneath his black dress shirt.

Asher Sterling's jaw tightened under my gaze, his expression growing even colder.

"You probably didn't expect this, did you? Liam had people reporting your whereabouts so he could go out and play the field."

I gasped. "You...?"

The corners of his lips curved up, his clear, sharp eyes tilting upwards with a hint of mockery.

"Your so-called 'working three jobs a day to support the family' consists of window shopping all morning, lounging in a cafe all afternoon, and then jumping rope for two hours outside before going home?"

Cold sweat broke out on my back. He found out about all of that?

The persona I maintained in front of Liam was that of a poor, resilient girlfriend who loved him to the bone.

Handing out flyers in the morning.

Working at a coffee shop in the afternoon.

Collecting recycling at night.

When I got home, I'd be drenched in sweat, so exhausted I couldn't lift a single finger.

Working myself to death just to scrape together a measly two thousand bucks a month for his "treatment."

Liam ate it up. Not only would he do all the household chores, but he'd also "serve" me at night to help me relax.

Damn it. I thought I could keep this fairy-tale life going a little longer.

I looked up, testing the waters with Asher.

"What do you want?"

He leaned in close, his flawless face filling my vision, and let out a low chuckle.

"Liam really isn't a good guy. But I'm not here to judge you, and I won't tell him."

I snapped out of my daze caused by his overwhelming good looks and swallowed hard.

"Then what are you trying to say?"

"Chloe Vance. Dump him, date me. If you're worried, you can take me to get a full physical too."

I was speechless for a long time.

"Wait, what's in it for you?"

A smile spilled into Asher's eyes as he raised an eyebrow.

"I'm in it for your looks, your youth, and your talent."

Well, that makes sense.

It's just human nature, after all.