My Rich Boyfriend Rented a Fake Cheap Apartment to Test My Loyalty
I thought I knew everything about James—his charming smile, the way he always made me feel special, and his unwavering confidence. But nothing could have prepared me for the betrayal I was about to uncover.
When we first met, James had told me he was “comfortable” financially, but never once flaunted his wealth. I liked that about him. I wasn’t looking for luxury—I wanted love. So, when he suggested we take the next step and move in together, I was thrilled. That excitement faded the moment I stepped inside the apartment he had chosen.
It was… tiny. A one-bedroom with peeling wallpaper, a creaky floor, and a kitchen that looked like it hadn’t been updated since the ‘80s. There was a strange smell, and the heater rattled as if it might explode.
“I know it’s not much,” James said, watching me closely. “But I think we could make it work.”
I swallowed my shock. This wasn’t what I expected, but I reminded myself that love wasn’t about material things. “It’s… cozy,” I said with a forced smile.
James nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. “Are you sure? If this is too much of a downgrade for you…”
Downgrade? My mind raced. Had I been giving off the wrong impression? “James, I don’t care about money,” I said firmly. “We’ll make this place a home.”
For the next week, I put in every effort—scrubbing, decorating, even cooking despite the faulty stove. But something felt off. James kept watching me like I was an experiment. He made weird comments, like, “It must be hard to go from nice dates to this.” Or, “I bet you miss your fancy brunches.”
Then, one night, it all unraveled.
I was coming back from the store when I noticed James stepping out of a black Mercedes parked right outside our building. Not an Uber. A personal car. My heart pounded as I watched him hand the keys to a suited driver.
I followed him inside and demanded answers. That’s when he sighed and dropped the bombshell.
“This apartment is fake,” he admitted. “I rented it to see if you were with me for the right reasons.”
My stomach dropped. “You… tested me?”
He had a whole speech prepared about trust, gold diggers, and how his past relationships had been shallow. But all I could think was: He never trusted me to begin with.
“I would’ve lived in this place for you,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “But I won’t stay with someone who tricks me.”
His face paled as I grabbed my bag and walked out.
The test had backfired. Because while he was testing my loyalty, he had proven his own wasn’t real.
And I wasn’t about to fail myself.
