Chapter 3

When the last shred of my dignity was torn away, Damon finally spoke. “That’s enough.”

“Get out. Don’t ever step foot in here again.”

I covered myself, stumbling out the door.

Behind me, I heard Damon’s gentle reassurance,

“Scarlett, don’t be angry anymore…”

Outside, the rain poured down.

The icy water lashed against my exposed skin, but it was nothing compared to the cold in my heart.

I clutched the remaining fabric to my chest, struggling through the downpour.

The freezing rain mixed with my tears, running into my mouth, salty and bitter.

All those past memories came flooding back.

Damon Thorne in college was the crush of every girl on campus—tall and handsome, his striking features and charming smile would draw screams from countless girls at every basketball game.

And Scarlett Hayes was the undisputed campus queen—fair-skinned, beautiful, and from a wealthy family.

As for me, I was just the most inconspicuous person in school, ordinary-looking, with a humble background.

Until one afternoon, Scarlett suddenly sat across from me with her lunch tray, smiling sweetly.

“Eating alone is so boring. Let’s eat together from now on.”

From then on, I became Scarlett’s “best friend.”

Everyone praised Scarlett’s kindness, for being willing to hang out with an ugly duckling like me.

Only I knew that Scarlett just needed a mere prop to highlight her brilliance.

Until Damon Thorne appeared in our small circle.

At first, I thought he was interested in me.

One evening, I was cornered by some thugs in an alley, and it was Damon, passing by, who stepped forward.

His figure, backlit by the fading sun, became the brightest memory of my youth.

But I soon realized that Damon was only approaching me to pursue Scarlett.

The easiest way was to first become friends with her best friend.

Still, I helped him.

I remembered how I praised Damon to Scarlett, how I found excuses to leave when they went on dates, and how I filled countless pages of my diary with unspoken “Damon Thornes.”

After that, I was like an extra in my own life, watching Damon win Scarlett over and then shower her with adoration.

I thought I would always witness their journey from dating to marriage and then to having children.

Until just before graduation, Scarlett suddenly broke up with him, leaving decisively for overseas.

Damon chased her to the airport, standing in the pouring rain for a day and a night, only to watch Scarlett walk away without a backward glance.

During that time, I stayed by his side.

When he drank heavily, I cleaned up the empty bottles;

When he was despondent, I quietly took care of his life.

Later, I even became his secretary, organizing his work and life perfectly.

It wasn't until a business dinner, when Damon was drugged, that I was about to call a doctor, but he, losing control, pushed me onto the sofa in the lounge.

Afterward, he didn’t even give me a glance, but I still remembered his burning body heat and ragged breaths.

It happened a few more times after that, always when Damon was drunk.

He never kissed my lips, never looked at my face, just took what he wanted with a cold detachment.

Our intimate relationship lasted for three whole years.

Until a month ago, Scarlett returned to the country, and Damon unhesitatingly went back to her side.

At that moment, I knew it was time for me to leave.

So, I secretly handed in my resignation and agreed to my mom’s request for blind dates back home.

But I never imagined that even then, Scarlett wouldn’t let me go.

Soaked to the bone, I arrived home when my phone suddenly rang.

I opened it and found a considerable sum of money transferred from Damon, with only two cold words in the: “Compensation.”

Immediately, another message popped up: [I know you like me]

I stared at the words, my breath catching.

He knew everything.

Those stolen glances, those deliberately created coincidences, those feigned casual acts of care—I thought I had hidden them so well.

[But we’re impossible]

[Scarlett was just too angry today]

[Don’t hold it against her]

[And don’t you dare hurt her out of jealousy]

Every message felt like a knife twisting in my heart.

I suddenly laughed, tears streaming down my face.

I thought of those years—

When he’d held me while drunk, calling Scarlett’s name, I’d held back my tears;

On his birthday, I’d secretly slipped my gift among a pile of packages, not even daring to sign my name;

When he kissed her in the office, he always covered her eyes;

It turned out he knew all of it.

My finger hovered over the screen for a long time before I finally replied.

[Mr. Thorne, don’t worry. From now on, I will never like you again.]