Chapter 5

For the next two days, I completely cut contact with Ethan.

He called me constantly and even tried getting mutual friends to set up meetings.

I rejected every single attempt.

Left with no choice, he sent me long paragraphs on Snap:

"Chloe's skills are weak. If I didn't help her, she wouldn't land a single job. But you're brilliant, Rachel!"

"Tell you what, pick whatever company you want, and I swear I'll have someone get you in. Somewhere even better than Apex!"

Reading his texts, my heart turned to pure ice.

It was never about the job. It was about how he dismissed every ounce of blood, sweat, and tears I poured into my dreams—all to pamper Chloe.

I refused to reply.

That evening, rumors about the three of us blew up on the campus forum.

[I heard Ethan pulled strings to steal Rachel's job offer at Apex and gave it to Chloe. Aren't Ethan and Rachel dating?]

[Someone clearly doesn't know them. Ethan has always treated Chloe like a princess. Only Rachel's friends ever claimed there was a love letter. Who even knows if they're real?]

The thread split in two—half defending our relationship, half mocking me for having an unrequited obsession with him.

I didn't care enough to engage. But then, Ethan's roommate jumped into the comments:

[Stop spreading garbage if you don't know the truth. They're a real couple, and Chloe is just his close friend. Ethan is sitting right next to me, so keep your fake theories to yourselves.]

The original poster panicked and deleted the thread. Everyone thought the drama was over.

Then the following night, another thread exploded.

It was filled with provocative, candid photos of Chloe wearing a skimpy slip dress inside Ethan's apartment, looking as if they were taken secretly.

[Ethan is dating Rachel, so what exactly is Chloe doing over at his place dressed like this?]

The comment section went into full meltdown:

[OMG, Chloe posted a story the other night, and the decor matches Ethan's penthouse!]

[Total pick-me behavior! Playing the 'bro' card while walking around in lingerie at his house? Poor Rachel...]

Hundreds of comments piled up, all attacking Chloe.

Chloe immediately sent me a furious direct message:

"If you have a problem with me, say it to my face! Why are you pulling such disgusting, petty tricks?"

Before I could even process what she was talking about, Ethan called me, his voice trembling with rage:

"Rachel, you've crossed the line!"

"I told you a thousand times that Chloe and I are strictly friends! I admitted I was unfair about the job, and I promised to make it up to you! Why would you stoop so low and ruin her reputation like this?!"

My head spun. I tried to defend myself:

"It wasn't me! I didn't post anything—"

Ethan let out a cold sneer, cutting me off:

"Not you? You were the only person who came over that day! Do you honestly expect me to believe Chloe leaked photos of herself to get trashed online?"

He slammed the phone down. Minutes later, he posted a public statement on the campus forum:

[Chloe and I have completely clean hands. The photos are a malicious attempt by someone with an agenda to smear her character.]

[I once thought Rachel was the person I wanted to build a future with. But after what happened, I will be seriously reconsidering our relationship.]

He didn't state my name directly, but every finger was pointed squarely at my chest.

In an instant, the narrative flipped.

"Manipulative" and "jealous" became the labels plastered all over me.

Mutual friends began blowing up my phone with insults.

Even our academic advisor summoned me to the office:

"Keep your personal drama off public platforms. Letting your emotions get out of hand like this damages the university's reputation."

Hate messages flooded my phone every single hour.

Ethan knew, but all he told me was:

"I talked to Chloe. As long as you give her a public apology, she's willing to post that she forgives you."

He sounded like he was doing me a massive favor, insisting that as long as I admitted my fault, he wouldn't break up with me.

I hung up without saying a word, went online, and changed my flight back home to tonight.

I didn't owe anyone an explanation, and I certainly didn't owe anyone an apology.

I was graduated. I was free.

Once I left this city, all this petty noise would cease to exist.