The Forgotten Heir

Chapter 2

Micheal’s chest wouldn’t loosen the whole way to the Bell Crest Hotel. Kept telling himself there had to be another reason, but that picture of Mia kissing David stuck in his head like glue. He loved her. Really loved her. She said yes to being his girlfriend so he thought she felt the same. Never expected her to be perfect. Never cared that her family had money. Just wanted her to take him as he was. Now he couldn’t figure out how the same girl he’d spent six months chasing could stand up in front of everyone and say yes to another guy while she was still with him.

He just needed to hear it from her.

Almost half an hour to get there. The hotel looked ridiculous. Like it belonged on a different planet. Even from outside it screamed money. Standing there in his regular clothes with the old backpack, he felt stupid. Never even imagined people just casually hung out in a place like this. After the prices people were talking about in the livestream, it hit him even harder how different their lives were.

He was still staring at the building when the doors opened and some people came out.

Eyes went straight to two of them.

Mia and David.

Chest tightened the second he saw David’s arm around her shoulders as they walked down the steps. Laughing. Talking like nothing in the world could touch them. Anger hit so fast his hands curled into fists.

For a second he wanted to walk over and just punch David.

How the hell could that guy put his hands on her like she already belonged to him?

Forced himself to calm down. Didn’t come here to fight. Didn’t come to make a scene. Just wanted answers.

Looked at Mia again. She was laughing at something David whispered. That sound hurt more than he expected. Tried to remember the last time she laughed like that with him. Couldn’t. Always that distance, especially around other people. Every time he tried to get closer she’d remind him they had to keep it private.

Back then he just accepted it because he loved her.

Now watching her with David he started wondering if he’d been an idiot the whole time. Maybe she never was happy with him. Maybe she was just waiting for someone better to show up.

Thought stung, but he still wouldn’t believe it until he heard it from her mouth.

Fixed the strap on his backpack and walked toward them.

Mia was still laughing when something made her stop. Smile faded. Looking at the person coming toward them. Late, light outside wasn’t great, so she couldn’t really see the face yet. Something about the way he walked still felt familiar though.

David noticed her face change and looked the same direction.

“What’s wrong?”

She didn’t answer.

Guy kept getting closer. Every step the face got clearer under the lights.

Mia’s eyes went wide. Whole body locked up.

She knew that face.

Her boyfriend.

“Micheal…”

Heart started going crazy. Micheal Jordan. The boyfriend she’d kept secret from everyone at Quinton for six months. Never told him she was coming here with David. Only thing in her head was how the hell he found out.

Then it clicked. The livestream.

Hundreds of people already watched her sitting with David, eating with him, saying yes to his proposal. Stream still going. Meaning everyone watching could see Micheal standing right there.

Felt sick.

Never wanted this. At least not like this.

Micheal walked up until he was a few steps away and stopped. Looked at her a few seconds. Eyes full of disappointment, but he wasn’t yelling or flipping out the way she half expected.

“Mia, why did you do this to me?”

Question hit hard. She opened her mouth but David spoke first, frowning at Micheal.

Had no clue who this guy was. Barely paid attention to people he thought were beneath him, and from Micheal’s clothes he’d already decided this one wasn’t worth noticing. Couldn’t understand how someone dressed like that even walked into the Bell Crest Hotel, much less interrupted him.

But the way Micheal talked to Mia made him realize there was something else going on.

Looked at her and tightened his arm around her shoulders.

“Darling, do you know this guy?”

Micheal’s eyes went straight to that arm. Anger flashed. Fists clenched. Forced it down.

Mia’s face burning. Suddenly wished Micheal would just leave. Didn’t want anyone watching the livestream knowing she’d been dating someone like him. Especially not tonight.

Met him months ago when he was working one of his part-time jobs. At first liked how he looked and how straightforward he was with people. That’s why she gave him a chance.

But there was always that one problem.

He was poor.

Scared what people would say if they found out one of the most popular girls at Quinton was dating a student who worked part-time just to get by.

Planned to end it after tonight and make sure nobody at school ever found out they dated. Never expected him to show up here.

Now that he was standing in front of her, nothing really changed. What was supposed to happen later was just happening now.

Took a breath.

“Micheal, I’m sorry.”

Something in her face made his stomach drop.

“I’m sorry to say this, but I want to end our relationship.”

Micheal just stood there a few seconds.

“You’re breaking up with me?”

Said it slowly, like he still couldn’t process it.

“Yes, Micheal. I’m breaking up with you. It’s over.”

Stared at her, waiting for some kind of hesitation. Nothing.

“Mia, why? Is it because of him?”

Neither of them knew the livestream was still running. Hundreds of students watching the whole thing.

Comments started pouring in.

“Wait what does she mean breaking up? Was Mia already dating someone?”

“Who even is that guy?”

“Look at his clothes. Whole outfit probably doesn’t cost thirty bucks.”

“No way that was actually her boyfriend.”

Then:

“Wait… isn’t that Micheal Jordan?”

“You know him?”

“Yeah, Business Management.”

“Why’s everyone acting like it’s a big deal?”

“Because he’s probably the poorest kid in the department. Works part-time just to cover tuition. Barely has money left for himself.”

“You’re kidding.”

“I’m serious. Seen him eating the cheapest stuff on campus because that’s all he can afford.”

“So Mia was dating him?”

“Apparently.”

“That’s insane. How did he even get a girl like her?”

Mia quiet for a second. Then looked at David.

“David can give me the kind of life I want,” she said. “He doesn’t have to worry about whether he can take me somewhere nice or buy me something. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life struggling over money.”

Micheal had no idea what was happening in the group chat. Wasn’t looking at any comments. All his attention on the two people in front of him.

After she finished, David stepped between them. Small smile as he looked down at Micheal. Didn’t look worried at all. As far as he was concerned whatever Mia and Micheal had was already done. She chose him. Now that she was his he wasn’t about to let some broke student keep hanging around.

“You heard her, buddy. She doesn’t want your poor broke ass anymore. Do yourself a favor and leave.”

Micheal’s face changed a little. Words hurt, but he stayed quiet.

Looked past David at Mia.

“Mia, please.”

Voice low.

“Can we talk somewhere private? Just a few minutes.”

Mia looked uncomfortable, but David laughed before she could say anything.

“Still begging?”

Micheal ignored him and stepped forward.

“I just want to talk to her.”

David blocked him.

“I already told you to leave.”

Micheal looked at him.

“Move.”

David’s smile disappeared.

“What did you say?”

“I said move.”

First time actual warning in Micheal’s voice.

David stared a few seconds, then laughed.

“You really don’t get where you stand, do you?”

Looked him up and down and shook his head.

“You’re wearing clothes that probably cost less than the shoes I’m standing in, and you came all the way here to fight me over a girl who already picked someone better.”

Micheal’s hands slowly clenched. Still didn’t say anything.

David stepped closer.

“You should be grateful she even wasted six months on you.”

Micheal’s eyes went cold.

David noticed but kept going.

“Actually I’m kind of impressed. Guy who can barely afford food somehow talked one of the prettiest girls at Quinton into dating him.”

Laughed again.

“Maybe you really thought she was gonna marry you.”

Micheal’s jaw tightened. Looked at Mia one more time.

“Mia, is this really what you want?”

She hesitated.

That tiny pause gave him a little hope.

David saw it too. Face darkened. Reached out and shoved Micheal hard in the chest.

“She said it’s over.”

Micheal stumbled but caught himself. Eyes dropped to David’s hand, then came back up.

“Don’t touch me.”

David scoffed.

“Or what?”

Micheal didn’t answer. Just looked at Mia again.

“Please, Mia. Just listen to me.”

Took another step. David pushed him harder.

“Didn’t you hear me? She doesn’t want you.”

Micheal stumbled again.

People outside starting to watch. Livestream still going.

David fixed his suit and smiled.

“You should know when to quit, poor boy.”

Noticed the backpack on Micheal’s shoulder.

“What’s in there anyway? Another cheap gift for her?”

“Don’t touch me.”

David ignored him and pushed again.

Micheal stepped in and punched him square in the face.

Hit landed hard. David’s head snapped back and he went down on the ground right in front of the hotel.

For a second everything went quiet.

Mia’s eyes huge. People nearby froze. Livestream comments blew up.

“OH MY GOD!”

“DID MICHEAL JUST PUNCH DAVID HWARTHORNE?”

“He actually knocked him down!”

Micheal just stood there breathing hard, staring at his own fist.