Chapter 3

I didn't touch a single word of Willow's graduation project.

Two days later, Ethan found me in the library.

He yanked the book from my hands and slammed it on the table with a bang.

Students around us all looked over.

"Anna Sullivan, I told you to help Willow, and you're here reading boring books?"

I looked up at him, and at Willow standing behind him with an innocent expression.

"I was just researching some materials," I answered.

"What research could be more important than Willow's graduation project?" Ethan demanded, pulling Willow in front of him. "She hasn't slept well for days because of this design, and you don't care at all."

Willow tugged at his sleeve right on cue, saying softly: "Ethan, don't be like this. Anna must have her own things to deal with. I'll figure something out myself."

Her words made Ethan think I was even more unreasonable.

"Listen to that!" He pointed at Willow. "Willow is more sensible than you! Anna Sullivan, I'm saying this one last time: within a week, I want to see a complete proposal."

I watched them perform their duet and looked away.

I nodded: "Got it."

Ethan thought I'd given in. His expression softened slightly as he pulled Willow away.

I took in all the strange looks from the surrounding students.

It didn't matter. This was the last time anyway.

Ethan finally couldn't hold back.

His voice was sharp on the phone: "Anna Sullivan, what are you playing at? It's due in a week and you haven't done anything?"

"I'm sorry, my grandmother hasn't been feeling well lately. I've been at the hospital taking care of her, so I fell behind," I lied.

"Willow's graduation project is very important to her. Put your family stuff aside and finish her work first."

Listen to how entitled he sounded.

My grandmother meant less to him than Willow's homework.

"But..." I pretended to hesitate.

"No buts." Ethan cut me off. "Anna Sullivan, don't be childish. If Willow can't graduate, you'll regret it."

He hung up forcefully.

I turned off the faucet and looked at myself in the mirror, unable to understand how I'd been so desperate over such a man in my previous life.

Fortunately, I could start over in this life.

The agent called at just the right time to tell me the house had found a buyer who agreed to full payment and could sign the contract today.

I replied with a simple "okay."

To make the house sale more convincing, I needed to move out some of the old furniture my parents left behind.

Those things were heavy. I couldn't move them alone.

The first person I thought of was Lucas Knight, who had always played the role of reliable friend.

I called him: "Lucas, are you free? I have some old furniture at home I want to get rid of. Could you help me?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, then Lucas's voice came through: "Anna, really bad timing. I can't get away right now."

In the background, I clearly heard Willow's delicate coughing.

"Willow has a bit of a fever. I need to stay here and look after her," Lucas explained. "Try to figure something out yourself, or call a moving company? I'll transfer you some money later."

Willow again.

I laughed softly: "No need. Take good care of her. I can manage."

After hanging up, I didn't hesitate for a second and immediately found a paid moving service online.

Why beg people for help when money could solve the problem?

After hanging up, I clutched my stomach and called Lucas in a weak voice: "I have terrible stomach pain. I'm at City Central Hospital right now."

Lucas immediately answered: "Don't move, I'll be right there!"

I sat on the cold bench in the hospital emergency hall, watching people come and go.

Half an hour later, I saw Lucas.

He was running fast, looking hurried, but didn't glance in my direction at all.

Lucas ran right past me, heading straight for the orthopedic clinic on the other side.

I stood up and followed.

Outside the clinic, Willow sat in a wheelchair with her ankle wrapped in bandages, crying.

Lucas crouched in front of her, coaxing her in a soft voice: "Come on, don't cry. The doctor said it's just a minor sprain, right? It'll heal in a few days."

"But it hurts so much..." Willow whined coquettishly.

Lucas frowned, reaching out to touch her ankle but afraid of hurting her, his movements cautious.

That look was more genuine than any performance he'd put on at my bedside in my previous life.

I stood behind them watching.

So the rumors I'd heard in the ICU in my previous life had started even earlier.

My appearance changed the atmosphere between them.

Lucas suddenly turned and saw me, freezing completely.

"Anna... what are you doing here?" His eyes were panicked.

Willow saw me too. The tears in her eyes instantly disappeared, replaced by a challenging look.

"I have stomach pain. I came to get some medicine," I pointed at myself.

"Are you... how are you?" Lucas stood up, looking flustered.

"Nothing serious, just an old problem."

"You go ahead with what you're doing. I'll head home after I get my prescription."

I didn't give him any chance to explain and turned to leave.

I knew my unhesitating departure would make them even more convinced that I was still that jealous but helpless Anna Sullivan.