Betrayed By My Hockey EX, Owned By A Billionaire

Eliana “Babe, what’s going on?” I asked, looking from Ethan to his agent. I’d never really liked the woman but this morning, I was more than irritated to see her. Ethan stood there trying to dodge meeting my eyes, letting me know that something was very wrong. Ethan Callahan was my childhood friend and we’d been privately dating for six months, because we knew his parents wouldn’t approve of our relationship just yet. They’d stopped treating me as family after my parents mysteriously died in a car crash years ago. Even at that, Ethan never stopped showing up for me. He stood by my side and was a shoulder for me to cry on, on the days being an orphan was too overwhelming. I could say he was genuinely the best part of my life so when he asked me to be his girlfriend six months ago, I was over the moon. Since then it’s been bliss. Last night, I spent the night at his place, and it was magical, just like always. When I woke up, I realized I’d overslept and Ethan was no longer in bed. I figured he didn’t want to wake me, so I thought I’d appreciate his thoughtfulness by making him breakfast. I finished making breakfast and was about to set the table when I came across Ethan and his agent, Miss Sienna Hayes, who had a rather serious expression. “Babe? You’re not saying anything.” I asked worriedly. “Just set up the dining, then come so we can discuss.” Ethan finally replied and I nodded. I placed the breakfast tray containing two plates of scrambled eggs, toast, and coffee on the dining table and went over to meet him. I was waiting for him to say something, but instead Sienna cleared her throat. “Eliana, please sit.” She gestured towards one of the chairs. I looked between her and Ethan trying to figure out what was going on. Why did they look so serious? “Okay.” I reluctantly agreed and sat down. “Here, you have to sign this.” Sienna pushed the document she’d been holding a few minutes ago in front of me. “What’s this?” “A non-disclosure agreement.” She replied, her eyes flickering to Ethan who had a cold expression plastered on his face. “I’m still confused. Why would I need to sign a non-disclosure agreement? Baby I’m still trying to understand what’s happening.” I turned to Ethan. “You have to sign it. It’s standard given the circumstances, nothing personal. Ethan’s career is taking off and his agency has certain expectations.” Sienna continued calmly. “Ethan’s profile is changing. He’ll need to be seen with girls worthy of his status, so there’ll be staged relationships with other celebrities, appearances, promotional relationships…” “I’m sorry WHAT?” I interrupted her, my mouth hung open from disbelief. I was still trying to understand what she was driving at. I had to sign an NDA for my relationship with Ethan? He’d be seen with other girls? Staged relationships? Seriously? What was all that about and why was Ethan not saying anything? “What I’m trying to say is that you can not publicly claim to be Ethan Callahan’s girlfriend. He’s a rising hockey star and things like this can hurt his career.” “If you want to continue whatever it is that’s going on between you two, it has to be a secret, reason why we need you to sign this.” She gestured to the NDA lying in front of me. “Ethan…” “This is what is best for him.” Sienna cut me off rudely. “You should understand. The rules are simple anyway, don’t post him, don’t discuss your relationship, ever. No one must know about you.” Why did it hurt so much hearing her say all this? And worse, why was Ethan not trying to defend our love? “Ethan, did you seriously agree to this? Why aren’t you saying anything?” I asked, trying my hardest not to cry. “Ellie you have to understand, and don’t worry you’d be compensated…” “Compensated?” I let out a disbelieving laugh and he actually dared to nod. “Yes,” Sienna took over. “You have nothing to worry about. There’s a cheque of 200,000 USD waiting to be handed over to you, you just have to sign the NDA first.” She said. I looked over at Ethan to see if he had even a trace of guilt in his eyes but there was nothing. I looked at the NDA in front of me. I just had to sign it and I get 200,000 USD. It was more than I’d ever had in my bank account. This money could do so much for me and my younger brother, Caleb. It could pay our mortgage, cover his tuition, and give me space to breathe. But was I really going to cheapen myself to be someone’s secret? I looked at Ethan again, my eyes filled with unshed tears. I thought about our good times, me worrying about his upcoming games and texting him good luck before every practice. Was he really going to throw it all away? “Is this really what you want Ethan?” I turned to him and asked. “Yes.” He replied immediately. “You don’t have to be dramatic as always, just sign the damn thing. It’d do us both a lot of good. I’m popping now and have to put my career first.” I stared at him in shock, as he went on and on, breaking my heart with each word he spoke. “Besides you’re the reason we are in this in the first place?” He accused me and my brows narrowed in surprise. “Me?” “Yes, you.” His tone turned sharp. “You’re always so needy Eliana. You’re not the only orphan in the world, but you always need help and I have to keep supporting you as your man.” “I’ve spent so much on you and I genuinely cannot afford to lose my job or my spot in the limelight because of you too. If I hadn’t kept giving you money we wouldn’t have been in this predicament.” “I’ve sacrificed a lot for you and it’s time for you to repay the favor so sign the NDA and let’s move on to more important things.” He added, his voice lacking any warmth. To say that I was shocked was an understatement. I’d have never believed Ethan could act this way towards me or say such hurtful things. I’d never even asked him for money before. I always thought he supported me because he hated seeing me struggle. I didn’t know he viewed me this much as a burden. “Don’t forget you need the money Ellie, stop pretending you don’t.” He mocked. Wow. Just wow. Ethan knew I needed the money because Caleb depended on me and the house our parents left behind still had a mortgage we were struggling to pay. He knew all of this and that was why he was dangling this cheque in my face. He wasn’t even acting like a man that was in love with me which was strange considering he spent the night professing his undying love to me. Well… since he’s made his decision, it was time for me to make mine. I picked up the pen placed beside the document and signed my name on the non-disclosure agreement, then I picked up the cheque, just staring at it. “Good job Ellie,” Ethan smiled. “Don’t worry you still have me baby, it’d just be in secret…” His words trailed off because I stood up and threw the cheque right at his face. “Baby what are you doing?” He asked standing up too. “Don’t you dare baby me. You wanted out of this relationship by reducing what we had to a secret bound by clauses right?” I fired, pointing at him. “Well guess what? I’m giving you a way out. I’m breaking up with you Ethan Callahan.” I announced, and his expression hardened. “You can’t do that, be reasonable…” “I can and I will. I’m leaving.” I announced, already heading to the door. Thankfully, he didn’t try to chase after me but I clearly heard him say; “You’ll regret this.” Tchhh I may regret not taking the money but I’d never regret breaking up with such a selfish bastard. I would never be anyone’s secret, no matter how much I loved them. I breathed a sigh of relief once the doors closed behind me and hurried to the street, to find a cab that would take me home directly. I was about to flag a cab when my phone buzzed and I brought it out to see it was a message from the mortgage lender. I opened the message and immediately froze after reading it. The mortgage lender had filed for foreclosure. I had thirty days left to pay the outstanding amount before the house was taken from us.