Chapter 4

Marcus grew impatient. “Didn’t I tell you not to work there? I’m spending so much money sending you to college, and you’re putting yourself in such a dangerous situation?”

Willow lowered her head, biting her thin lip. “My mom is sick and needs a lot of money. But I didn’t want to ask you for it, I was afraid you’d misunderstand, think I was only approaching you for your money. I… I just want to earn money myself to pay for my mom’s treatment.”

She grew more agitated, beginning to sob. When she looked up, her face was streaked with tears.

As soon as she cried, Marcus’s heart softened.

His voice softened, and he gently ruffled her hair. “But did you ever think, in that kind of situation, if I hadn’t shown up in time, you could have been taken advantage of?”

“But you did come, didn’t you? I knew you couldn’t leave me alone.”

Willow sounded a little smug.

I couldn't listen anymore. Fighting back my discomfort, I slowly spoke. “Marcus, let’s go home. Lily is waiting for you.”

Marcus’s eyes darkened. Before he could speak, Willow hooked her arm through his and pleaded,

“Please stay with me today, okay? I told my mom I’d bring my boyfriend to see her today. Just pretend with me, please. She doesn’t have many days left.”

Then, she turned to me, her voice almost begging. “Hazel, you understand, don't you?”

I didn’t look at her. Instead, I asked Marcus again, despite my efforts to stay calm, my voice trembled.

“Come home with me, please?”

Marcus frowned. “Didn’t you hear Willow say her mom is dying? Can’t you stop being so petty and jealous? Have some sympathy, please?”

“Just listen to me, go home first, be a good girl.”

Willow stood by, a faint smile playing on her lips.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Marcus, how long are you going to keep helping her? You’re paying her tuition, showering her with concern, and now you’re going to pretend to be her boyfriend? How far exactly are you willing to go?”

“She has so many male classmates, why does she only ask *you*? Are you two planning to turn this fake relationship into a real one? Or have you already?”

Marcus froze, apparently not expecting me to say that. He’d thought he’d hidden it well enough.

“Hazel, don’t make a scene. Willow is going through so much alone. Why can’t you try to understand her? I remember you weren't like this before, you used to be so kind.”

I gave a cold laugh. “Yes, I was kind. But I wasn't so kind that I’d hand over my husband to another woman.”

“I’m so sorry, Hazel. Don’t blame Marcus. I won’t let him go, okay? Don’t be angry with him, he looks so pathetic when you yell at him.”

Willow pouted, with big, teary eyes that looked utterly heartbroken.

Just one glance, and Marcus’s face softened with concern. He frowned deeply, shielding her behind him.

My tears were invisible to him, but Willow’s tears landed right on his heart.

I scoffed, my voice laced with mockery.

“Oh, the classic 'dead dad, dying mom, poor helpless me' routine? Her tragic backstory just keeps stacking up, it's a masterclass in manipulation, and you're too blind to see it.”

“Marcus, are you really going to throw away our ten years of shared history for a girl like that?”

Marcus froze, then retorted angrily, “Hazel, have you forgotten? You’re someone who clawed their way out of the mud yourself. How can you look down on her now?”

I gave a small, bitter laugh. “Now I not only look down on her, Marcus, I look down on you too. Let’s get a divorce.”

Marcus’s voice was hoarse. “Hazel, don’t make a scene. Just go home and wait for me, okay?”

I stood there, coldly watching him.

He practically shoved Willow into his car, then drove off without a backward glance.