Reborn with the wealth system

The loud buzz of Ethan Cole’s alarm pulled him out of his sleep.

5:00 a.m.

He reached for his phone and turned it off before it could ring again. His room was small and old. The ceiling had water stains, and the fan above his bed made a loud creaking sound every time it turned.

He sat up slowly and rubbed his eyes.

Another day.

Another sixteen hours of delivering food.

Another day of chasing money that was never enough.

His phone vibrated.

Loan Payment Due Today.

Ethan looked at the message for a few seconds before locking the screen.

“I’ll pay it somehow.”

He had been saying those same words for almost a year.

After washing his face, he put on his faded delivery uniform. The shirt had been washed so many times that its color had almost disappeared. His shoes were worn out, but buying a new pair wasn’t an option.

Every dollar mattered.

He picked up his helmet and walked outside.

The morning air was cold.

People were already rushing to work while he climbed onto his old delivery bike.

It took three tries before the engine finally started.

“Come on… don’t fail me today.”

The bike coughed before moving forward.

…

By ten o’clock, Ethan had already completed twelve deliveries.

His stomach growled.

He hadn’t eaten breakfast.

He stopped outside a convenience store and checked his wallet.

Twelve dollars.

He needed to make that money last until payday.

After thinking for a moment, he bought a bottle of water instead.

“That’s enough.”

As he was about to leave, his phone rang.

The screen lit up with a familiar name.

Chloe ❤️

A tired smile appeared on his face.

“Hey, babe.”

“Are you busy?” Chloe asked sweetly.

“Just working.”

“I saw a handbag online.”

“It looks so beautiful.”

Ethan already knew where the conversation was going.

“How much is it?”

“Oh, it’s not expensive.”

“Only one thousand eight hundred dollars.”

Ethan almost dropped the bottle in his hand.

“Eighteen hundred?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ll buy it for me, right?”

He forced a smile.

“I… I’ll try.”

“I knew you would.”

“You love me.”

“Of course.”

“You’re the best.”

She hung up without asking if he had eaten or how work was going.

Ethan stared at the black screen for a long time.

Then he smiled bitterly.

“I’ll find a way.”

He always did.

…

The rest of the day passed quickly.

Some customers ignored him.

Some shouted because their food arrived two minutes late.

One man even threw a drink at him because the fries weren’t hot enough.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Sorry?”

“You think sorry fixes everything?”

The customer slammed the door in his face.

Ethan quietly cleaned the soda from his uniform.

He didn’t complain.

He couldn’t afford to lose his job.

By evening, his legs felt like they were made of stone.

He had completed forty-six deliveries.

His phone buzzed again.

This time, it was a message from the jewelry store.

Your order is ready for pickup.

A genuine smile appeared on his face.

He had almost forgotten.

Today was their third anniversary.

He had spent six months saving for a ring.

It wasn’t big.

It wasn’t expensive.

But it was all he could afford.

He rode straight to the jewelry store.

The elderly owner recognized him immediately.

“Young man, you’re finally here.”

Ethan smiled.

“I’ve been looking forward to today.”

The old man handed him a small black box.

“I gave you a small discount.”

“I know you’ve worked hard for this.”

Ethan looked at the ring inside.

A simple silver band with a small diamond.

To many people, it wasn’t much.

To Ethan…

It was everything.

He carefully placed it inside his backpack.

“Thank you.”

“I hope she says yes.”

The old man smiled warmly.

“I hope so too.”

…

As Ethan walked outside, his phone rang again.

It was Chloe.

“Where are you?”

“I’m on my way.”

“Ryan invited some friends to Skyline Restaurant.”

“You should come.”

Ethan frowned.

“Ryan?”

“Yeah.”

“You’ve heard me mention him before.”

“He’s just a friend.”

Ethan didn’t like Ryan.

He had met him twice.

Both times, Ryan acted like Ethan didn’t exist.

Still…

He trusted Chloe.

“I’ll be there.”

“Good.”

“And Ethan…”

“Yes?”

“Don’t embarrass me.”

The call ended.

Ethan stood there quietly.

Those three words stayed in his mind.

Don’t embarrass me.

He looked down at his delivery uniform.

It was stained from a whole day’s work.

He wanted to go home and change.

But Chloe hated waiting.

“I’ll go like this.”

“She won’t mind.”

After all…

She loved him.

Didn’t she?

…

Half an hour later, Ethan arrived at Skyline Restaurant.

Luxury cars filled the parking lot.

Men in expensive suits walked through the entrance.

Women wore elegant dresses and sparkling jewelry.

Ethan suddenly felt out of place.

He looked at his worn shoes.

Then at the ring inside his backpack.

He smiled.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I’m here for Chloe.”

He walked inside.

Several people turned to look at him.

Some frowned at his uniform.

A waiter approached him.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m looking for Chloe Harris.”

The waiter checked a tablet.

“Private Room 307.”

“Third floor.”

“Thank you.”

Ethan took a deep breath and climbed the stairs.

With every step, his heart beat faster.

Tonight…

He would ask the woman he loved to marry him.

He imagined her smiling.

He imagined putting the ring on her finger.

He imagined the small house they would one day buy together.

He imagined a future.

A happy one.

When he reached Room 307, the door wasn’t fully closed.

Laughter came from inside.

Then he heard a man’s voice.

“A delivery rider?”

“You’ve got terrible taste, Chloe.”

Everyone laughed.

Then…

Chloe laughed too.

“Oh, don’t worry.”

“It won’t be for much longer.”

Ethan stopped walking.

His smile slowly disappeared.

His hand tightened around the ring box inside his backpack.

A strange feeling rose in his chest.

He stepped closer to the door.

Ryan’s voice sounded again.

“So…”

“When are you dumping him?”

Chloe laughed without hesitation.

“Tonight.”

Ethan’s heart skipped a beat.

He stood frozen outside the room.

His fingers slowly reached for the door handle.

He pushed it open…