Chapter 3

The next day, I decided to go anyway.

I put on light makeup, but I didn’t bring a swimsuit. I figured Danny was just busy and hadn’t paid attention to my schedule.

I’d just sit by the pool and watch him swim.

When I arrived, there was already a group of people at the entrance, both boys and girls, and Bella was right there among them.

As I walked up, I noticed a few of the boys exchange glances, smirking.

“Bit boring, isn’t it? Figures the ones without a decent figure wouldn’t want to show it off. She’s not all that after all. I much prefer girls who aren’t shy,” one of them said with a sneer.

I frowned.

Bella giggled behind her hand, “Can’t help it, can you? Some people are just… small-minded. Makes you wonder why Danny even invited her.”

Danny’s face was dark, probably a bit embarrassed, “I told you to bring your swimsuit. How are you going to swim in a T-shirt and trousers?”

“I’m on my period.”

So, he had forgotten.

Danny’s brows furrowed, clearly annoyed. “Of course it’s today. But swimming during your period isn’t a big deal, is it?”

I stayed silent. Realising his words were off, he tugged at my sleeve apologetically.

“Come on, Ellie. I’m not a girl. Cut me some slack for not knowing.”

Then, he suddenly turned to the group and said, “You know, last time Ellie embarrassed Bella in front of everyone. That’s why I invited her today, so she could apologise properly.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “Why should I apologise?”

Why should I apologise to Bella?

She was the one bringing her friends into the research group for free credit. How was this suddenly my fault?

Danny pulled me aside, whispering urgently, “Ellie, think about the bigger picture. I need this research to secure a job with a top firm. You don’t want us to struggle for the rest of our lives, do you?”

I caught the real meaning in his words. “Us? Struggling?”

“Yeah.” He turned back to face me, his tone indifferent, with just a hint of disdain. “Ellie, I know you’ve always liked me. And I like you too. If you apologise to Bella, I’ll agree to be with you. If not, I’ll just start dating her instead.”

He suddenly sounded so… lofty, as if he were offering me a priceless gift.

“After all, we’ve known each other for over a decade. I can’t just throw that away. Apologise, stay in the research group, help me, and we’ll be together.”

I took a step back, looking Danny up and down, and shook my head slowly.

“You’re so full of yourself.”

“What?”

He didn’t hear me properly.

Habits are a dangerous thing.

Danny and I had practically grown up together, from primary school to secondary school, and now university. After so much time, I’d gotten used to him. I relied on him. I even thought I loved him.

Danny was a year older than me.

I’d been fostered by my uncle since I was a child, and Danny was the boy next door.

Back then, kids showed their feelings so plainly. If my cousin disliked me, the entire group of children in the area would ostracise me.

But Danny was different. He always brought an extra snack for me, included me in games, made sure I wasn’t left out.

Honestly, the warmth of my childhood came entirely from Danny.

He knew how to keep me under his thumb.

I had always listened to him, always done as he asked.

But ever since that breakfast incident, I felt… tired.

Tired of him. Tired of everything.

In the middle of our standoff, the swimming instructor came over.

“If you’re going to swim, make sure you’re careful.”

The instructor handed me a chair and said kindly, “You’ve been holding your stomach. Must be your period, right? My daughter looks exactly like you during hers. So pale, poor thing.”

I instinctively touched my face. Was it that obvious?

If a stranger could see it, surely Danny knew too?