Chapter 1 I Am The Owner

The summer sun blazed overhead as Natalie Lewis found herself in her usual spot, dishing out leaflets to passersby at the mall.

Her routine took an abrupt turn as she spotted a familiar duo sauntering into a side entrance. It was Samuel Lynch, her boyfriend, and Hailey Norton, her best friend. 'Isn't Samuel supposed to be at an interview?' she wondered.

Unsettled, Natalie hastily went after them but lost their trail in the vast mall.

Just as Natalie was contemplating her next move, her phone buzzed with a notification. A whopping 20,000 dollars was charged at a jewelry store—half a year's worth of her hard-earned income.

Fuelled with growing dread, Natalie quickly tracked down the store, only to witness Hailey trying on a dazzling diamond ring—the exact one Natalie had yearned for.

Hailey was all smiles. Samuel, Natalie's live-in boyfriend who'd been jobless for half a year and living off Natalie's generosity, apparently had no qualms about blowing her money in luxury for his lover. 'How could he squander my income on a ring for another woman?' Natalie seethed.

Overwhelmed, Natalie stomped up to them, snatched the ring from Hailey, and handed it back to the cashier. "I want this returned," she demanded.

Caught off guard, Hailey blurted out, "What are you doing, Natalie? I've just bought this!"

Hearing that, Natalie turned towards Hailey and slapped her hard.

The outraged Samuel, returning after settling the bill, came rushing to Hailey's aid and shielded her in his arms. "What the hell, Natalie? All I spent was two thousand bucks. You've no right to lay a finger on Hailey. Aren't you ashamed of your immature actions?" His look of contempt only fueled her anger.

Through a whirlpool of betrayal, rage, and humiliation, Natalie managed to ground herself. She spat out, "You spent my money on your mistress, and yet you dare accuse me of shame?"

Samuel's response was ruthless. "Why not? Seriously, Natalie, who could love a woman like you?"

For six months, Natalie had tightened her belts, neglecting her skincare routine, and forgoing new clothes, all to support Samuel. In return, all she got was heartbreak and betrayal.

Her heated exchange with Samuel drew the attention of onlookers. Angrily, Samuel tossed Natalie's card and the receipt at her. "Here's your money back! That's all you care about, isn't it? We're done here!"

The plastic hit her face, but it hit her harder in the heart.

"You'll die alone, Natalie. No self-respecting man wants a woman like you," Samuel spat, leading Hailey away.

Quietly, Natalie picked up the card and receipt from the floor, returned to the cashier for a refund, and headed back to the apartment she had shared with Samuel, a modest two-bedroom suite.

The notion of Samuel being a "gentleman" seemed laughably naïve now. As soon as she walked into the apartment, she began packing up all of Samuel's belongings.

As Natalie shook out one of the bedsheets, two used condoms fell out, crushing any lingering hope she had of their relationship. Coldly determined, she threw his packed bags out the door.

Just as she finished, Samuel and Hailey walked in, only to find his belongings gone and the room empty.

"Natalie, are you out of your mind?" Samuel flew off the handle, his face turning red with anger. "How dare you meddle with my stuff?"

Stretching out on her couch, Natalie looked at the man she once found charming, now finding Samuel's very sight repulsive. She responded coldly, "Glad you're here. Give me the keys and never show your face again. You've dirtied this place enough."

"Are you kidding me, Natalie? I used to pay the rent here too! You have no right to kick me out!" Samuel snarled.

Natalie's voice was steady and calm. "That's in the past. Have you paid any rent in the past six months? Or covered our living expenses in the last two and a half years?"

As the argument garnered more attention and began to turn into a public spectacle, Samuel desperately tried to quell the situation. "Fine, Natalie. You care about money, right? The rent is around 10,000 dollars. When I secure a job, I'll square up."

Hailey jumped in, "Enough! I'll pay it now and you leave. Today." She was eager to gain brownie points with Samuel and get rid of Natalie. The rent appeared to be a small price to pay, especially given the considerable financial contributions made by Natalie over the years. Hailey reasoned that once Samuel landed a job, given his prestigious university background, he would earn around 10,000 dollars a month.

Natalie accepted the payment. Hailey, triumphant, gestured toward the door. "Alright, pack your stuff and leave!"

Natalie calmly pulled a property deed from her belongings. "Hold on," she called, laying the document flat. "This apartment is in my name, and I'm reclaiming it today."

Surprised and furious, Samuel chimed in, "So you've been scamming me all this time? Making me pay rent?"

Playing innocent, Natalie shrugged. "Isn't it normal to pay rent when you're living in someone else's room?"

"Natalie, you're colder than I thought," Samuel angrily shouted.

Hailey chimed in insultingly, "You are downright cruel, Natalie!" Now faced with the prospect of being homeless and penniless, she was regretting her earlier boast.

"Still, I'm less of a parasite than both of you." Natalie retorted. "Now, grab your things and get out of here."

Though Hailey wanted to argue, the eyes of their on-looking neighbors compelled Samuel to pull her away. Hailey cast a final glance at Natalie, pondering ways she could secure the apartment for herself.

Left alone, Natalie sagged against the wall. With the leeches out of her life, she sighed in relief.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed. Seeing her younger brother Henry's name on the screen, she answered the call. In between sobs, Henry broke the news. "Natalie, Grandma has cancer. The operation will cost 100,000 dollars. I don't have enough..."