Chapter 3

I offered a slight smile.

"What are you talking about, Scarlett? I never said you couldn't stay!"

"Why are you always slandering me? I haven't done anything to you!"

Scarlett's brows furrowed as she heard the murmurs around us.

"But you just ran off…"

Ha, already losing your composure, are we?

"It was just too sunny outside, so I figured I'd come in and talk. But I hadn't even said anything yet, and you started showering me with complaints and accusations."

"Anyone who didn't know better would think you did this on purpose, just to get people to trash-talk me!"

Hmph, who doesn't know how to play the innocent victim?

Having died once already, if I'm still kind, then I deserve everything that's coming.

"No, Anya, you're the best. Don't be mad. I misunderstood you."

Before I could say anything, Brendon, Scarlett's pathetic simp, spoke up, clearly annoyed.

"Anya, enough already! Scarlett apologized, what more do you want?"

"You're the one who ran off without saying a word, so it's really your fault."

"Besides, you didn't lose a limb, did you?"

In my previous life, I was too soft-hearted, and this ugly simp's few words were enough to make me agree to Scarlett staying at my house.

"What stray dog is yapping? Did anyone ask you to chime in?"

"When you're simping for someone, can you at least not spray your slobber all over me? It's disgusting!"

Brendon tried to say something else, but Scarlett stopped him. She whispered something in his ear, and he immediately calmed down.

"Anyway, aren't you dating my dad? Why are you asking me?"

"Couldn't you just tell him directly?"

This time, I finally understood why she hadn't just gone to my dad. This house was mine, and he didn't actually own it or have the final say. He must have somehow twisted the truth to Scarlett.

"He's totally fine with it, of course! But we both respect you and wanted to hear your opinion."

Seeing Scarlett's desperate eagerness, I almost burst out laughing.

Even the simp who'd just defended her stared at her, confused by her sudden change in story. He muttered "gold-digger" and walked away.

"Dad, my roommate wants to stay at our house this summer, is that okay?"

I texted my dad right in front of Scarlett, and sure enough, I got an affirmative reply.

Scarlett, seeing the message, affectionately linked her arm with mine, ready to go home together.

"Can we go tomorrow? I need to go home and pack today."

Perhaps she figured one day wouldn't make a difference, because Scarlett didn't press the issue.

But for me, one extra day meant more time to prepare what I needed.