The Ultimate Test of Love: My Rich Boyfriend Had a Secret, But So Did I

I slid into the driver’s seat of Jack’s luxury car, feeling the smooth leather beneath my fingertips. Jack climbed into the passenger seat, still confused but intrigued. I revved the engine and pulled out onto the road, my heart pounding not from nerves, but from excitement. I had known for a while that Jack was keeping something from me, but what he didn’t realize was that I had my own secret too.

We drove in silence for a while, his gaze flickering between me and the city lights flashing past the window. “So, where are we going?” he finally asked.

I smirked, keeping my eyes on the road. “You’ll see.”

Minutes later, we arrived at a tall, modern high-rise in one of the city’s most exclusive neighborhoods. I parked the car, grabbed my keys from my purse, and stepped out, motioning for him to follow me. His brows knitted together in confusion, but he followed without question.

I led him through the sleek marble lobby, past the concierge who greeted me with a warm, “Good evening, Miss Carter.” Jack’s eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent. We stepped into the elevator, and I pressed the button for the top floor.

“Okay, you’re seriously starting to freak me out,” he said with a nervous chuckle. “You live here?”

I didn’t answer. When the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, I stepped out and walked down the hallway, stopping in front of a penthouse suite. I unlocked the door, pushed it open, and gestured for Jack to step inside.

His jaw practically hit the floor as he took in the massive space—the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city skyline, the state-of-the-art kitchen, the plush furniture that was undoubtedly hand-picked by a designer. He turned to me, still speechless.

“Welcome to my home,” I said softly.

He blinked a few times, then let out a stunned laugh. “Wait. What? You—this is yours?”

I nodded, stepping forward and taking his hand. “Jack, I was never with you for your money. I fell in love with the man who cooked dinner on a single hot plate and made me laugh in a tiny, cold apartment. But I needed to know that you loved me for me, too.”

He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re telling me…you’ve been testing me this whole time?”

I smiled, squeezing his hand. “Not in the same way you were testing me, but yes. I needed to be sure.”

Jack let out a long breath before breaking into laughter. “Wow. Here I thought I was the one pulling the biggest surprise, and you completely outplayed me.”

“I wouldn’t call it a game, Jack,” I said, my tone more serious now. “I just wanted to be sure that our love was real.”

He studied me for a moment, then cupped my face gently. “I never loved you for what you had, Ellie. I loved you for who you are. I just wanted to protect myself.”

“So did I,” I whispered. “But now, we don’t have to test each other anymore.”

He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe I proposed to you thinking I was the one with the big reveal.”

I reached into my pocket, pulling out the velvet box he had handed me earlier. “You never got an answer,” I said, looking up at him.

He straightened, taking my hands in his. “Ellie, will you marry me?”

This time, I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

Jack let out a breath of relief before sweeping me up into a kiss, pulling me close as if he never wanted to let go. We stood there, in the middle of my penthouse, the city lights twinkling behind us, no more secrets between us.

We had both tested each other, but in the end, we had both won.