Chapter 3

The next day, I still decided to keep the appointment.

I put on some light makeup but didn't wear a swimsuit.

I thought Beckett must have been too busy lately and didn't pay attention to when my period was.

I could just watch him swim from the side.

When I arrived at the swimming pool, I found a group of people gathered at the entrance, both men and women, with Lily among them.

Seeing me arrive, the group of guys flashed a look of mockery:

"How boring, those with bad figures really don't dare to show off. So this is all the campus beauty amounts to? I still prefer girls who are more open and confident."

I frowned.

Lily covered her mouth and laughed lightly, "Can't be helped, some people are just petty. I don't know why Beckett even invited her."

Beckett's face didn't look too good either, probably feeling a bit embarrassed. "Didn't I tell you to wear a swimsuit? How are you going to swim in a short-sleeved shirt and long pants?"

"I'm on my period."

So he really had forgotten.

Beckett's brow flashed a hint of displeasure. "Why did it have to be today? But swimming during your period should be fine, right?"

Seeing that I didn't say anything, he seemed to realize his words were inappropriate and tugged at the hem of my shirt, pleading:

"Come on, Zoe, I'm not a girl, forgive me for not knowing. Please?"

Then he suddenly turned around and said, "Last time Zoe publicly embarrassed Lily, so I specially called her out today for Zoe to apologize to you, Lily."

I looked back at him in disbelief. "Why should I?"

Why should I apologize?

It was Lily who brought in people through connections, how did this become my fault?

Beckett pulled me aside and whispered in my ear:

"Think of the bigger picture, Zoe. I need this research achievement to get my foot in the door at a renowned company. You don't want to be poor with me forever, do you?"

I keenly caught the key point: "Poor with you forever?"

"Yes."

He turned to face me, his expression bland, but if you looked closely, there was a hint of disdain in his eyes:

"Zoe, I know you've always liked me, and I like you too. If you apologize to Lily now, I'll agree to be with you. Otherwise, I'll agree to be with Lily."

As he spoke, for some reason he suddenly became haughty:

"After all, we have over a decade of feelings between us, I can't bear to let you go. As long as you apologize and stay in the research group to help me, I'll be with you."

I took a few steps back, looking Beckett up and down carefully, and finally shook my head:

"You're really so confident, aren't you?"

"What?"

He didn't quite hear clearly.

Habit is a terrifying thing.

Beckett and I could be considered childhood sweethearts.

From elementary school, middle school, high school, to now in university, we've always been in the same school.

For so long, I got used to him, relied on him, and fell in love with him.

Beckett is a year older than me.

Since I was little, I was fostered at my uncle's house, and Beckett was the next-door neighbor.

When I was young, children's emotions were very obvious. As long as my cousin disliked me, everyone living in that area would isolate me.

Only Beckett was different. He always included me, bringing food for me and letting me join in games.

You could say that the little warmth in my childhood all came from Beckett.

He could indeed manipulate me.

I always did whatever he said.

But for some reason, starting from that breakfast incident, I really felt so tired of dealing with him.

I even thought that if he liked someone else, he should just go ahead, and stop bothering me.

During this standoff, the swimming coach came over.

"Those of you who are swimming, be careful."

The coach suddenly produced a chair from the side and gave it to me:

"I see you've been holding your stomach. You must be on your period, right? My daughter is just like you every time she has her period, looking so uncomfortable."

I unconsciously touched my face. Was it that obvious?

If even a stranger could notice, how could Beckett not know?