Chapter 2

She covered her mouth, speaking dramatically.

"Oh? You're so manipulative, aren't you?"

"I barely touched you, and you intentionally hit your head against the wall just to frame me."

Hearing that, Brandon's eyes grew even more impatient.

"Avery, you're going too far."

I bit my lip, trying to stay conscious.

"I have severe asthma. If you don't want someone to die, then stop this right now."

My throat burned, every breath felt like inhaling shards of glass.

But Layla dangled the inhaler in front of my eyes, tauntingly, then dramatically took a deep puff.

"Can't give it to you, my throat's dry."

"And I gotta say, you get what you pay for. This thing feels amazing."

I struggled to raise my hand to snatch it.

She laughed, raising her hand high to avoid me.

"No. Not giving it to you."

I was so enraged that my vision went black again.

Brandon stood by, arms crossed, watching.

"Look at you, acting like a beggar. Layla's just using it for a bit, don't be so petty."

"Layla's seen your medical report. You don't have asthma; you're just a little short of breath."

I forced myself to calm down.

"Brandon, you've seen me during an asthma attack, haven't you? Why would I lie about something like this?"

Before Brandon could answer, Layla interjected.

"Of course, for attention! In this day and age, there are always those attention-seekers faking illnesses."

"Heh, Avery, are you like those 'little angels' online who also claim to have depression?"

Hearing that, Brandon's friends burst into even louder laughter.

Someone whistled.

"Brandon, your girlfriend is so petty and uptight. She's nothing like Layla's easygoing vibe."

"Yeah, you'll have your hands full if you marry her."

I gasped for air, using my last bit of strength to reach for the inhaler in Layla's hand.

But just as my fingertips were about to touch it, she deftly dodged backward.

I lost my balance and fell forward onto the carpet.

"Oh dear, what a realistic performance!" Layla exclaimed dramatically.

Then she crouched down and whispered, in a voice only I could hear.

"Hehe, hurry up and die. Once you're gone, Brandon and I can finally be together."

She stood up, intentionally raising her voice.

"Avery, stop messing around, get up! Everyone's waiting for you and Brandon to do a shot together!"

Brandon started to feel something was wrong.

He stepped forward and helped me up.

"What's wrong with you? Are you really not feeling well?"

"Help... me..."

I struggled to utter a few words.

My hand gripped Brandon's wrist hard, only broken gasps escaping.

"In... inhaler..."

Brandon's brows furrowed tightly, his eyes finally showing a hint of panic and struggle.

He looked at Layla. "Layla, maybe give her the thing."

Layla's face immediately fell.

She stubbornly hid the inhaler behind her back, stamping her foot in annoyance.

"Brandon, are you blind? She's clearly faking it! Have you forgotten how she used to throw tantrums like a spoiled brat?"

Then, she suddenly yelled at the others.

"See? These women always act like this to compete with each other. Brandon totally fell for it!"

The guys around us immediately chimed in.

"Brandon, Layla and us grew up together. She wouldn't try to hurt you, would she?"

"Girls like her, you know, they just like to make trouble. Can't spoil her."

Brandon's expression changed.

His hand supporting me loosened a bit.

I could feel his hesitation.

On one side, my agonizing illness. On the other, Layla and their provocations.

"But... her face looks really pale..."