Chapter 1

I’ve decided to let go of Daniel.

It didn’t start with anything major, really.

It was just one of those research group meetings when Bella walked in with a cup of soya milk and a bacon roll.

Danny, always indulging her, covered for her:

“Bella’s young, she’s a bit of a foodie. Let’s be kind.”

Everyone chuckled and joked around, and their eyes, knowingly or not, drifted towards me.

Only my friend Rachel stood up for me:

“Danny, that’s not fair! Ellie had a stomach bug last time and wanted to eat something, and you wouldn’t let her!”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Danny’s face darkened. “Ellie, are you acting out again? If you want to throw a tantrum, this isn’t the place for it. No one here is going to coddle you.”

“Exactly. Always attention-seeking,” someone muttered under their breath.

I sighed inwardly. It all just felt so pointless.

I took off my name badge and looked up at Danny.

“I’m quitting the research group.”

The words hung in the air as the older students tried to calm me down. After all, getting into this research group meant a chance at a postgraduate scholarship.

“It’s fine. My mind’s made up. I’ll go and explain everything to the professor later.”

“Are you throwing a fit again? Do you really need everyone to revolve around you? It’s just letting Bella have her breakfast, do you have to be so petty about it?”

Danny’s tone was cold and laced with impatience.

I looked him square in the eye and explained, “I’m not throwing a fit. It’s just…”

I pointed at a few people, “Her, him, her—they’re only here because of Bella’s connections. They do the least work, but they gossip the most. I’m tired of being in this kind of environment.”

Honestly, I was exhausted, playing along and going through the motions with them.

The people I pointed out turned pale, their heads down, avoiding my gaze. The others stayed silent, but Bella started to cry.

“Ellie, what have I ever done to you? Why embarrass me in front of everyone?” she sobbed.

“They’re just my classmates. If they don’t get a few extra credits from joining the research group, they’ll fail. I was just trying to help them, and Danny agreed to it too.”

I nodded, “Sure, Bella. But the research group isn’t yours alone. You help them, and we’re all supposed to bear the consequences. Is that your idea of fairness?”

“That’s enough! Ellie, you’re acting like you’ve gone mad. If I’m willing to take responsibility for her, what does it matter to you?”

That hit like a slap across my face.

I was flushed with anger and confusion. Was this really the same Danny who used to protect me?

But his next words buried me completely.

“Ellie’s got some mental health issues, Bella. Don’t take her words too seriously. She has her moments.”

Danny took out a tissue and gently wiped Bella’s tears.

“Really? She doesn’t seem like it,” Bella glanced at me, curiosity and disdain in her eyes.

“Oh, it’s true. I even have her diagnosis,” Danny added, casually.

My heart, which had been raised up so high, was now slammed down, shattering into pieces.

I suddenly remembered how, when I was seven, Danny had chased away some bullies and wiped my tears in exactly the same way, promising he’d always be on my side.

Now, he was cruelly ripping open my wounds, just to comfort another girl.