Chapter 3

Fitzgerald seemed to sense my coldness, thinking I was upset because he came home late.

But then he remembered the surprise he'd prepared for me.

He was sure I'd love it. He held me tightly and fell into a deep sleep.

On my birthday, Fitzgerald took me to a beautifully decorated restaurant.

However, the moment he pushed open the private room door, I froze.

The room was filled with people, mostly former classmates.

Even more suffocating was seeing Chloe there, with Noah by her side.

Fitzgerald nudged my back:

"I called everyone here because I want you to know that all the past nonsense is over. We can start fresh."

Immediately, a classmate chimed in:

"He's right, Aria. It's been years, don't take it to heart anymore!"

"Look how devoted Fitzgerald is to you."

Hearing those familiar voices, my body trembled uncontrollably. I grabbed my bag, wanting to leave, but Fitzgerald's hand clamped tightly around my wrist.

He lowered his voice and said:

"Just give me a little credit, please? Just this once?"

I looked up and saw him staring intently at Chloe and Noah, a flicker of jealousy in his eyes.

I instantly understood. He was just using this gathering to prove something to Chloe, to make her think she'd chosen the wrong person back then.

And I was merely a tool for him to try and make Chloe regret her choice.

I was about to leave when Noah stood up and looked at me:

"Don't be in such a hurry to leave. I even brought you a present."

As he spoke, the large screen on the wall suddenly lit up. The screen displayed images of me undressing in the art studio three years ago, photos scrolling one by one.

The private room instantly fell silent, and everyone's gaze turned to me.

My blood ran cold. Tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.

I didn't understand why they kept doing this to me.

Watching them stare at me as if I were a joke, I suddenly understood.

Some people are so miserable they can't stand to see anyone else breathe.

My body trembled as I tried to stand up and leave.

Chloe suddenly rose from her seat and quickly approached me, saying with a wronged expression:

"I'm so sorry, Aria, I really am. I didn't know Noah would do something like this."

"He just wanted to lighten the mood. Please don't take it to heart, forgive him, okay?"

I forcefully shook her hand away.

She staggered back two steps, then fell to the floor.

I was about to say something when Fitzgerald rushed over, sweeping Chloe into his arms and glaring at me:

"What are you doing! She already apologized for her boyfriend, what more do you want?"

"You resort to violence over a small matter! How can you be so vicious now?"

I pointed at them like a madwoman, my hand shaking uncontrollably:

"A 'small matter'? You keep turning my photos into a joke, again and again!"

"How dare you treat me like this!"

"What terrible thing did I do to deserve being bullied like this, over and over again! My parents are dead, everything's already like this, and you still won't leave me alone!"

My last words were practically a scream.

He froze, taken aback by my outburst, then his face darkened.

"Don't be ridiculous. Why keep bringing up the past? I think you just can't stand to see Chloe do well."

Before I could say anything more, Chloe suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out in pain.

Noah immediately panicked:

"What's wrong? Did you hurt yourself when you fell?"

Fitzgerald also grew tense. He scooped Chloe up, not even sparing me a glance, and rushed out of the restaurant.

Everyone else in the room scattered. Someone passing by me even whispered:

"No wonder her parents died, she's truly disgusting."

I stood alone in the empty private room, took a deep breath, and walked out of the restaurant.

As I reached the roadside, a drunk man bumped into me.

I fell to the ground, and a sudden, sharp pain tore through my lower abdomen.

A gush of blood quickly flowed from my lower body, staining my skirt crimson.

I realized what was happening, fumbling with trembling hands for my phone in my bag to call Fitzgerald.

The call connected, but before I could speak, Fitzgerald roared:

"Stop making a fuss every day! Chloe isn't feeling well right now, we can talk about whatever it is when I get back."

I tried calling again, but it wouldn't go through.

I knew he'd blocked my number again. It was always like this. Whenever something displeased him, he would just block me.

The pain in my lower abdomen intensified, and my vision blurred.