Chapter 2

"Alright, alright!" Professor Davies sounded very pleased. "Then you should tell your girlfriend too, you're so fond of her."

Girlfriend?

Did Scarlett ever truly consider herself my girlfriend?

"Professor, I don't like her anymore."

In my mind's eye, I saw Scarlett sitting among that group, enjoying my awkward reflection on the big screen, smiling with an air of indifference.

Those taunts and jokes were like sharp knives piercing my heart.

For three years, I was forced to play the clown. Now, the dream was over, and I endured the pain, saying:

"I will never like her again."

It wasn't until I started packing my things that I realized.

Three years could accumulate so many memories.

The most conspicuous Polaroid on the fridge was from the day we got together.

Scarlett chose April Fool's Eve to confess to me.

She said she was afraid that if she waited any longer, I might take her sincerity as a joke.

After I nodded, she pulled me into her arms, and it was just past midnight.

So, all those vows of love and eternity.

They were all planned lies from the very beginning, weren't they?

My phone pinged. Someone in the SnapChat group asked:

"Are we letting him off the hook today? There are still a few hours until midnight, shouldn't we have some more fun?"

"We'd have to figure out how to trick him into coming out. We already used the 'Scarlett's stomach hemorrhage' trick."

"You've all seen the ring Scarlett wears, right? Leo gave it to her. They say it's his father's keepsake."

My hand holding the phone trembled.

"You sent it to the wrong group!"

"Oh no, Leo's in here too."

After a series of quick 'undo sends,' the group went silent.

Ten minutes later, my phone rang. Mark's panicked voice came through:

"Leo, you need to get over here, quick! Scarlett's been in the pool all night because of a ring and won't come out."

"None of us can talk her out of it, only you can."

That ring had been passed down from my great-grandfather's generation. My father, on his deathbed, placed it on my finger.

"Leo, don't be sad. From now on, it will be with you in my place."

I never intended to give the ring to Scarlett.

It was Chloe who said in front of everyone, "Scarlett has given you so many luxury items, but you haven't given her a single decent gift."

"Leo, are you just playing with Scarlett?"

I rushed to explain, but I couldn't overpower their cheering.

Honestly, I had already given her plenty within my means.

It was just that in Scarlett's circle, even cufflinks cost tens of thousands.

Scarlett's face was dark then. It was Julian who spoke up, pointing at my finger and saying the ring was very meaningful to me.

"Why not give it to Scarlett?"

"A gift, after all, is about the thought, more than the price."

I mumbled, "This is from my dad…"

Scarlett's eyes, which had been somewhat bright, instantly dimmed. She threw her wine glass to the ground.

Someone behind me pushed me.

I fell to my knees in front of Scarlett, letting her take off my ring.

…

Getting out of the car and returning to the banquet hall, I felt as if my blood had turned to ice.

I hated it so much.

I hated how weak and foolish I had been.

I regretted it so much.

I regretted letting love cloud my judgment, lowering my bottom line again and again.

Even though I knew it was another trick.

But I had to come.

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