Chapter 3

With a bright grin, he introduced her to the entire lecture hall: "This is Lily Frost. She’s an exceptional student I'm personally sponsoring. From now on, she’s under my protection!"

Afterward, I asked him casually, "Did she save your life or something? Why the sudden urge to play philanthropist and sponsor a student?"

Justin nodded without hesitation, his tone deadly serious. "I never knew a frail little girl could be so brave. We got lost in the woods and ran into a pack of vicious stray dogs. She put her life on the line and stood in front of me, taking the hits just to keep me safe!"

"From that second on, I swore I'd grant her dream and pull her out of that poverty!"

He gripped my hands tightly, his gaze pleading and earnest. "Clara, Lily has had it tough, but she’s determined to make something of herself. Please, be kind to her too, okay?"

Surprised, I agreed, but an unsettling chill settled in my chest.

From that point on, whenever Justin took me shopping at the mall, he’d generously pick up several outfits that weren't even my size.

Whenever we had a delicious meal at a nice restaurant, he’d immediately pack an order and call an Uber delivery straight to the girls' dorms.

And after Lily was supposedly stalked by someone near campus, he began dragging her along everywhere we went without a shred of restraint.

The precious little time Justin and I had alone was gradually invaded by Lily, until the two of us turned into the most conspicuous trio on campus.

My best friend, Yvaine, warned me multiple times that Justin was crossing lines for Lily.

Hiding the turmoil inside me, I asked her, "If you were a guy, who would you choose? Lily or me?"

Yvaine threw her arms around me and stated with absolute certainty, "Our gorgeous campus queen Clara, obviously! Unless a guy is completely blind, he’d choose you in a heartbeat!"

Back then, I clung to that sliver of naive hope, believing she was right.

Now, sitting before me, Lily wore immaculate makeup, her face radiating arrogance and pride.

She lightly stroked her abdomen, chiding Justin playfully, "Come on, honey, everyone here is family. Why keep it a secret? My period is late this month, you know that. Why make me be the one to announce our baby news?"

Justin’s face turned thunderous as he glared at her.

A few girls moved forward to congratulate her out of politeness.

Yvaine let out an amused snort. "A leopard really can't change its spots, always desperate to show off. A late cycle and suddenly you're announcing a pregnancy? Normal people wait until the three-month mark before going public."

The classmates surrounding Lily froze, realizing how prematurely they had spoken.

A fiery rage flared in Justin’s eyes, and he directed every ounce of his fury straight at Lily.

"How many times did I warn you before we left the house?! Watch your mouth and keep it shut! Do you get off on making me look like an absolute fool?! Pack your things and get out! Right now! Instantly! I don’t want to see your face!"

Lily cowered under his shout, tears streaming down her cheeks as she sobbed quietly.

Not a single person in the room spoke up in her defense. A few even whispered behind their hands about how trashy her background was, and how her constant lies were obnoxious.

Justin sank back onto the leather booth, falling dead silent.

It was as if the man who once couldn't bear to see Lily receive a single sideways glance—the man who would fight anyone who crossed her—had never existed.

Uninterested in their melodrama, I touched the ring on my finger, wanting nothing more than to stay far away from their mess.

Suddenly, Justin shoved Lily away from him.

His eyes locked dead onto the ring on my amputated finger, his voice trembling violently. "When did you get a new ring? Did you not like the old one?"

His expression shattered into utter desperation. "Put the ring I gave you back on, please... I’m begging you..."

I froze in absolute disbelief, unable to fathom what was wrong with him.

Back then, I had crippled my hand trying to protect him. Yet he was the one who snatched our engagement ring back, claiming it rightfully belonged to Lily.

And now, he treated Lily like worthless dirt under his shoe—exactly the way he had once treated me.

He had been Lily's fiercest protector. He had hurled the most venomous insults to tear me down for her sake.

To my dying day, I would never forget the first time he turned against me, nor how mercilessly he shattered my heart.

It happened when our college debate society was holding an internal tournament.

Every member of our department was required to participate.

Standing on stage with her cue cards, Lily had stumbled through her lines, stuttering with a thick, heavy rural accent.

The audience had burst into laughter.

Yvaine had snickered, remarking that Lily belonged in a dialect showcase rather than a formal debate tournament.

Several members openly protested, claiming that having Lily on their team was practically handing the trophy to their rivals.

Voices rose, demanding that Lily step down from the club.

Seeing how frail Lily looked under the barrage of ridicule, I had intended to intervene and calm everyone down.

Just then, Justin rushed back, kicking the door wide open and roaring to put an end to the chaos.

He pulled a weeping Lily from the corner and turned on me, his eyes full of venom. "The second I turn my back, you let everyone gang up on her? She’s crying her eyes out, and you’re still pushing her! I told you to take care of her—is this your idea of looking out for someone, playing petty mind games?!"

The room fell dead silent.

Justin shoved me violently toward Lily, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Apologize! If she doesn’t forgive you today, don’t you ever show your face in front of me again!"