Chapter 2

My head was bowed so low, my neck felt stiff.

Mr. Anderson thought Scarlett's words were meant for him. As if remembering something, he couldn't help but say, "Back then, Mr. Hayes was so crazy about his ex-girlfriend, I honestly thought he'd sworn off dating for good. Can't believe you finally managed to reel him in."

"Oh, I heard at the time that Mr. Hayes was even spreading rumors, swearing he'd find her and deal with her himself. You really are something, Scarlett, to have captured such a deep romantic."

Scarlett awkwardly cleared her throat.

But I was startled, and my head shot up.

The air went quiet for a moment.

Then my head dropped back down.

"Who is she to you?"

Liam's voice, dark and cold, asked Mr. Anderson beside him.

Mr. Anderson replied carelessly.

"...Does Mr. Hayes know her? She's just someone convenient to bring to these kinds of events, you know."

"Chloe, say hello to them."

My classmates' strange stares.

Scarlett's disbelief.

Liam's even colder expression.

A wave of indescribable shame rose from my heart.

I cleared my throat, stammering, "I... I don't feel well. My stomach hurts. I'm going to leave first."

The moment I turned, my wrist was tightly gripped.

Liam, who had been relatively calm until then, finally showed a crack in his composure.

"Chloe, don't you have anything to say to me?"

I glanced at Scarlett, then pulled his hand away.

"I wish you happiness."

Liam's face instantly shattered, his eyes tinged with crimson.

The atmosphere grew tense.

A classmate, who used to be close with me, quickly stepped in front of Liam.

"Alright... alright, look at the venue we're in. Chloe isn't feeling well, I'll take her to the hospital."

My classmate offered me an out.

I quickly left with her.

Behind me, I could still faintly hear Liam and Mr. Anderson's voices.

"Mr. Hayes, do you really know her?"

"Yeah, my girlfriend."

Almost everyone around gasped.