Faking Broke, Falling Hard || HeeJake

Part 11

Heeseung's POV. A week later

The engine of the Bugatti purred beneath me, each gear shift smooth, almost meditative. The streets were busy but not crowded, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to drive without thinking about who might see me. Just me, the car, and the road.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a familiar figure — Jake. And behind him, his family: his parents, moving quickly but tired, carrying groceries and bags.

I slowed, instinctively keeping my distance, watching them. Jake looked... exhausted. A little worn from carrying more than he should, his shoulders hunched, trying to keep everything together. His parents were moving faster than they should, juggling their jobs and responsibilities like acrobats.

Something tightened in my chest. I had seen wealthy people struggle with expectations, but this... this was different. This was pure, unfiltered survival.

I pulled the car over a little, keeping it subtle, watching as Jake waved at someone — maybe a friend — and his parents smiled wearily. Even from a distance, the contrast hit me: here was someone who carried everything quietly, just like I carried my secrets, but for completely different reasons.

Part of me wanted to drive up, offer help, or even just say hi. But another part of me hesitated. My world was a world of wealth and privilege — something I had learned to hide, something I wasn't ready to drag him into.

Still, I couldn't look away.

Jake laughed at something his parents said — a soft, bright laugh that didn't quite match the exhaustion in his movements. It made me smile, quietly, almost regretfully.

And for the first time in a long while, I wondered how different things would be if he knew the truth about me...

About the world I came from.

The money I had.

The life I was hiding.

I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and started the engine again, my mind racing as the Bugatti rolled forward.

One thing was clear: I couldn't let him see me like this. Not yet. Not until I knew... how he'd react to everything.

............................................................

I parked the Bugatti a few streets away, taking a deep breath. My heart was pounding — not from driving the car, not from the engine, but from the decision I'd finally made. Today, Jake would know.

I approached him and his family slowly, keeping my posture casual, hands tucked in my pockets. Jake was carrying grocery bags, his parents juggling more than they could handle, their expressions a mix of exhaustion and determination.

I cleared my throat.

"Jake."

He looked up, eyes widening slightly. "Heeseung? What—what are you doing here?"

I forced a smile. "I... wanted to show you something."

Jake tilted his head, wary but curious. "Uh... okay?"

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a thick stack of bills. "I know things have been... hard for you. I see it. Every time I see you, I see how much you carry on your shoulders. And I don't want you struggling alone."

His eyes flicked to the money, then back to me, confusion written all over his face. "Wait... Heeseung... this isn't—"

I shook my head. "It's not charity. Not exactly. It's... me. The truth. I've been hiding my life from you, pretending to be someone I'm not. But I can't do that anymore."