Chapter 4

In the silence, Derek finally spoke up. "Alright, today is Professor Williams's birthday. Let's stop talking about me."

He raised his glass and invited everyone to toast.

I took a quiet sip of wine, my mind drifting back to that summer when I first started school.

Maybe it was because the car that dropped me off was too flashy—people started spreading rumors about me behind my back.

They said I was being kept by some older man.

After class that day, everyone scattered, and I sat alone at my desk, crying softly until the sky grew dark.

When I finally got up to leave, I realized a strange man had walked into the room.

The disgusting middle-aged man grabbed my arm.

I screamed and ran, but he chased after me.

Until I fell into Derek's arms.

He couldn't afford a dorm, so he'd set up a makeshift bed in the school's storage room.

Our classmates covered for him, and the teachers turned a blind eye.

The boy who had always seemed so cold and aloof suddenly seemed so tall and strong.

He chased the man away and called the police.

It wasn't until he helped me into the ambulance that he finally spoke.

"Stop crying. I'll take you home."

That's how we met. That's how we fell in love.

And that's how the rest of our story began.

Thinking about it now, I let out a bitter laugh.

I still don't know how we ended up here.

I'd had too much to drink, so I got up to use the restroom.

But as I passed the smoking area, I heard Vivian's giggling voice.

"Did you see her face just now? I almost died laughing."

"After all these years, she still doesn't know that you were the one who told us to lock that door, does she, Derek?"

I froze in place. A chill ran up my spine, nearly knocking me off my feet.

Derek's voice came, tinged with resignation.

"Stop bringing up the past. I was young and stupid back then."

"Don't tell me you still feel guilty? You used to hate how she was always crying all the time. And then you dated her, married her—you basically gave her half your life."

"Exactly. Our Derek used to have girls lining up for him. And look at him now—he's a catch. If you ask me, she's the one who got lucky."

"Hey, do you think if I mess with her again, she'll freak out like she used to? That was always so fun."

Derek cut her off immediately.

"I'm warning you—don't even think about it."

"Okay, okay..."

Their voices grew closer. When the door swung open, tears had blurred my vision—but I could still see the lingering smile on Derek's face.

Which quickly turned to panic.