Chapter 4

Emma's expression went blank for a moment.

"...What did you say?"

I smiled.

"Didn't you think me supporting you was an insult?

"We're classmates, how could I insult you like that? In that case, forget it. You can keep working your part-time jobs."

Emma's family situation was similar to Lucas's. Her father had run off with borrowed money, and her mother was bedridden after working herself sick to pay for Emma's education.

Perhaps because of their similar circumstances, she and Lucas had always been close, constantly hovering around him.

She always liked to tag along when Lucas and I went out.

Sometimes I didn't want her to come, but she'd hide behind him and ask me pitifully:

"Aria, do you dislike me because I'm poor? Do you not want to be friends with me?"

Before I could say anything, Lucas would shield her behind him and say in a low voice:

"If you think we're not good enough for you, then don't go."

I'd have no choice but to bring her along.

She'd be there when we ate out.

She'd tilt her head, looking at the lobster on the plate and say:

"Do you eat such good food every day?"

Then in a dejected yet envious tone:

"We really are from different worlds, aren't we?"

Several times when Lucas and I were chatting happily, she'd suddenly say something like this, and the smile would fade from Lucas's face. He'd stop talking to me.

At first, I thought she was just being thoughtless.

Until one time when I was walking with Lucas and suddenly turned back to say something to him, I caught her expression as she looked at me.

Emma's face was expressionless, her eyes roiling with viciousness and resentment.

Seeing me turn around, she was caught off guard and quickly forced a smile.

But I felt a chill run down my spine.

That's when I finally realized.

She disliked me.

Or rather, she hated me.

Actually, when Lucas and I first got married, we did have a brief period of harmony.

His company had just gotten on track then, securing their first big contract.

After the celebration party, he drunkenly hugged me and said with a smile:

"Honey, what do you want? Your husband will buy it for you."

I felt bad that he'd worked so hard to earn money and hugged him back contentedly.

"It's okay, just knowing you care makes me happy."

But he insisted, stubbornly saying:

"A husband earns money for his wife to spend. I'll buy you a bag. What kind of bag do you like?!"

Even as he fell asleep, he was still mumbling:

"Aria, I have money now.

"You don't have to suffer with me anymore."

He really did buy me a bag the next day.

But before I could say anything, Emma showed up.

She looked at the bag in my hand with an odd expression.

Then she suddenly snatched it from me and said to Lucas with a smile:

"Oh my, I remember Aria had this bag in college. A guy who liked her gave it to her.

"She even complained it was too cheap to carry around."

I had long forgotten if that had actually happened.

But Lucas's expression immediately turned ugly.

Then he took the bag and left without a word.

The next time I saw that bag, it was on Emma's shoulder.

She smiled at me, feigning nonchalance:

"Aria, Lucas gave me this bag. You're not mad, are you?"

Of course I objected and told her to return it to me.

Her face filled with panic and distress, eyes reddening as she asked:

"You already have so many bags, why do you have to fight me for this one?!

"You have so many, and this is my only one!"

Lucas pulled me away, his face dark.

"Let go! If you don't care about it, why are you fighting her for it? Or do you just like taking things from others?!"

I was too proud back then to take such treatment. We had a huge fight and parted on bad terms.

It was only later that I understood.

Emma wasn't talking about the bag at all.

She was talking about Lucas.

She felt I had stolen him from her, which was why she hated me so much.