Chapter 1

I had been in an online relationship with my boyfriend for three years. I was there for him through his darkest days, supporting him every step of the way.

When we finally met in person, everything fell apart.

The reason was simple - the person I had been dating for three years was also complicit in bullying me.

Later, Sean tried to make amends by letting others do to him what he had done to me.

He begged for my forgiveness, pleading with me to come back.

But some things in this world can't be settled by simply evening the score.

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As Sean and his cronies cornered me against the wall, I was in the middle of messaging "Sean baby" on SnapChat.

Sunlight streamed through the windows into the dark classroom, illuminating only the young man standing at the edge of the group.

He looked like a sliver of light in the darkness.

I had just sent: [Something came up today. Let's play games together tonight instead.]

Sean's phone buzzed. His expression instantly softened.

He leaned close to his phone and said in a low, gentle voice:

[No worries, sweetie. I actually have something to take care of too. Just message me when you're free later.]

I clenched my fist. As I lowered my eyes, I saw "Sean baby" had sent a voice message.

"Sean?" The girl standing next to him called out.

Sean ignored her, his fingers tapping out another message on his screen.

At the same time, my phone received a new message.

I didn't reply.

The air in the room felt suffocating for a moment. Zoe opened her mouth, about to call out to Sean again.

But the young man suddenly turned to look at her, his voice cold: "What do you want?"

Zoe froze for a second. Everyone else's eyes turned to her.

I kept my gaze fixed on Sean.

He stood at the edge of the group, half his face illuminated by the light from outside. The contrast of light and shadow only accentuated his striking good looks.

His features overlapped with the photos I had seen before.

I felt disoriented for a moment.

Half of him was my sweet Sean.

The other half was this stranger, Sean.

My grip loosened involuntarily.

The atmosphere grew tense.

Suddenly, the girl's shrill voice shattered the silence. Her tone dripped with vicious glee, like an icy snake coiling around my body.

The smugness in her voice was almost palpable.

"Teach her a lesson," she commanded. "Let her know not to mess with me, Zoe."

Fists and kicks rained down on me, one after another. Every place they struck erupted in pain.

Threats and insults poured into my ears, punctuated by Zoe's triumphant laughter.

I desperately buried my face in my arms.

I don't know how long it lasted. When I finally looked up again, the figure at the corner was long gone.

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