Chapter 3

I had no intention of wearing the "obsessed stalker" label in this life, nor was I going to be painted as an evil heiress who bought lovers.

It was time to clear the air once and for all.

I fixed Julian with a freezing stare.

"You still want my money? The school has a clear financial aid policy, but you're too proud to file paperwork, expecting me to grovel and hand it to you on a silver platter? What do you take me for? A charity case with a humiliation kink?"

Seeing my deadpan coldness, the arrogant smirk on Julian’s face cracked.

Still, he stubbornly held his ground. "I don't care if this is another one of your pathetic games. You won't force me away from Heather this time, and you will never force me to date a venomous woman like you!"

By now, the crowd wasn't stupid. They could see that I was genuinely done being his walking ATM.

Besides, I had never forced him into anything. How could he claim I had torn lovers apart with money?

Yes, I had pursued him doggedly in the past, but feelings change. Who said I was obligated to worship him forever?

With the truth laid bare, those trying to throw dirt on me had nothing left to say.

"Julian, just apply for financial aid like everyone else. We all know your family's broke."

"Yeah, man, don't demand a girl's money while trash-talking her. That's just low."

"Exactly. Chloe spent so much on you, and she never held a gun to your head."

Hearing the crowd take my side, the agony of my past death surged into my throat.

I admit, I once fell for his quiet pride and brooding charm. But I never coerced him.

Instead, Julian was the one who treated me like dirt, taking my money while calling me a useless, spoiled rich girl behind closed doors.

In that past life, I had defied my parents, moved into his cramped, run-down apartment, cooked and cleaned for his bedridden mother, and even put my own studies on hold to help his career.

I gave him everything in silence. Yet to him, I was always the evil woman waving a checkbook to demean him.

He convinced himself I had orchestrated his separation from Heather, that my money had trapped him in a relationship, a marriage, and fatherhood.

I used to mourn that the moon never shone on me. Now, I only despised how hypocritical, cowardly, cruel, and deeply twisted he truly was.

I raised my chin and announced loudly:

"Mr. Reed, I might have wasted my time chasing you in the past, but starting today, you and I are complete strangers. Everyone in this room is my witness."

"And don't worry—you won't see another dime of my money. I wouldn't want you choking on your own self-righteous pride."

Leaving Julian standing there, pale and dumbfounded, I walked out of the classroom and headed home.