I Stopped Waiting and Started Loving novel Chapter 43

Parrish gave a flat, nonchalant, "Mhm."

"Holy shit! Parrish, you hid that way too well!"

Curtis was practically vibrating with excitement, his voice jumping an octave. "When Jas told me, I thought she was just making it up! I didn't think it was real! I actually have a billionaire friend!"

Watching Curtis's hyper-excited, almost sycophantic reaction, a flicker of mockery crossed Parrish's eyes.

"I lied to you. I actually got my memory back two years ago and just pretended to be broke to hang out with you guys. You aren't angry at all?"

"Angry about what?!" Curtis slapped his thigh, completely unfazed.

"I have a billionaire best friend! I'd love for you to lie to me every single day! You were just experiencing life. The fact that you were willing to hang out with us means you actually respect us!"

Parrish looked down at the amber liquid in his glass, his voice dropping.

"But Bonnie seems really angry."

"Ugh, women. They're so emotional and short-sighted," Curtis scoffed dismissively.

"You're the York family heir. How can you even be compared to us? The loose change that falls out of your pockets is enough to feed us for a lifetime."

"She's just letting her emotions get the best of her. She can't accept the fact that you suddenly don't need her to support you anymore."

"She loved you so much. Now that you've transformed into this untouchable corporate heir worth millions, she's definitely feeling insecure. She thinks she's not good enough for you anymore, which is why she's throwing this little tantrum."

Hearing this, the irritation in Parrish's chest finally seemed to dissipate a little. He raised an eyebrow.

"You think so?"

"Absolutely!" Curtis hastily tossed a peanut into his mouth, nodding with absolute certainty.

Parrish took a sip of his strong liquor, a look of supreme arrogance hidden in his eyes.

"You got one thing wrong, though."

He set the glass down, his tone calm and aristocratic. "I'm not worth millions of dollars. I am worth billions of dollars. The York family is the wealthiest family in Harlow City."

"Parrish, why... why the long face? Is it because of Bonnie?"

Parrish's grip on the glass tightened, his frown deepening.

"She broke up with me. These past few days, she's been like a completely different person. As cold and hard as a rock."

Curtis let out a loud scoff, waving his hand dismissively.

"Oh, Parrish, you just care about her too much. Relax, I'm a hundred percent sure about this. No matter how much she changes, she's still Bonnie Hayes to the core. Those of us watching from the outside know exactly how much she loves you."

"Back when you were just a broke guy, whenever you two fought, wasn't she always the first one to cave and apologize? Not to mention, you're the York Group heir now. Once she gets over this awkward phase and thinks it through, she'll definitely come running back to beg for your forgiveness."

Parrish looked up at him, a trace of uncertainty in his eyes. "Really? You think she'll figure it out on her own?"

"Absolutely!" Curtis slapped his thigh, declaring with absolute confidence.

"She's desperate for money, and her mom is still lying in a hospital bed. Every single day she's burning through cash on expensive rare treatments just keeping her mom alive. You're a walking goldmine. If she doesn't cling to you, where else is she going to get the money to save her mom?"