Chapter 3 · A Ticket South, A Life Reclaimed

The reunion drama was all anyone could talk about.

After days of gossip, everyone agreed on one thing—I was still head over heels for Andrew.

But now that he was with Zoey, I didn't get to play the loyal simp anymore, so I turned my attention to her, the delicate queen bee.

When I got home that night, I saw a heart-shaped arrangement of candles and flowers outside my building.

I figured some guy must be trying to impress his crush. I was about to head upstairs when Andrew jumped out from the shadows. Fireworks lit up the night sky.

He strolled over, acting all dramatic. "I'll forgive you for today because I want you always by my side. I've already mapped out our whole future."

I frowned, not getting it. "What about Zoey?"

Andrew just smiled softly, gazing off like he was in some cheesy drama. "When Zoey has my kids, I'll need you to help take care of them. Her parents aren't doing well, so you'll need to look after them too..."

I just stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Was he serious?

So this was his plan. He wanted me as his live-in maid.

I pushed past him and stormed upstairs without another word.

I wasn't his doormat I used to be, always bending over backwards for him.

He yelled after me, "Harriet, you've been simping for me for three years. I know exactly how much you like me. I'm even letting you stay close to Zoey. What more do you want?"

I chucked a bucket of dirty water out the window. It almost hit him.

When I got back to my room, Zoey sent me an endless shopping list.

Portable AC, pink desk and chair, string lights for the closet...

Her message read: [These are the things I need for the new semester. The dorm stuff is cheap and ugly. I want it all replaced. Can you get them for me? And remember to bring it all to my room on move-in day.]

I didn't even bother replying. I just blocked her.

Andrew called me up almost immediately. "Can you stop with the drama? I've been trying to talk you down for ages. Zoey isn't even mad about what you did at the reunion. Just help her move her stuff into the dorm when school starts. Make it right."

I hung up on him and went back to binge-watching dramas.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a payment alert.

I checked my account.

A payment had gone through.

I opened my delivery app and saw a portable AC had already been ordered.

I gritted my teeth. Damn it, Andrew had linked my bank card to his shopping app ages ago. Figures he'd be the one buying this crap.

Back when his family froze his accounts during a fight, he'd used mine for food.

Then he messaged me.

His message read: [Harriet, I ordered a portable AC and had it shipped to your place. Make sure you bring it to Zoey when school starts.]

[Think of it as me helping you make things right with her. You two are gonna be at the same school. You'll see her every day.]

[Zoey's over it. So cheer up, alright?]

I was so mad that I could barely think straight. I quickly unlinked my card and shot his mother, Blair Weston, a screenshot of the message.

She didn't reply. A minute later, a transfer came through for 100 times the price of the AC. No questions asked.

I accepted the money.

As for that AC? Guess my place could use another one anyway.

Chapter 3

The reunion drama was all anyone could talk about.

After days of gossip, everyone agreed on one thing—I was still head over heels for Andrew.

But now that he was with Zoey, I didn't get to play the loyal simp anymore, so I turned my attention to her, the delicate queen bee.

When I got home that night, I saw a heart-shaped arrangement of candles and flowers outside my building.

I figured some guy must be trying to impress his crush. I was about to head upstairs when Andrew jumped out from the shadows. Fireworks lit up the night sky.

He strolled over, acting all dramatic. "I'll forgive you for today because I want you always by my side. I've already mapped out our whole future."

I frowned, not getting it. "What about Zoey?"

I just stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Was he serious?

So this was his plan. He wanted me as his live-in maid.

I pushed past him and stormed upstairs without another word.

I wasn't his doormat I used to be, always bending over backwards for him.

He yelled after me, "Harriet, you've been simping for me for three years. I know exactly how much you like me. I'm even letting you stay close to Zoey. What more do you want?"

I chucked a bucket of dirty water out the window. It almost hit him.

When I got back to my room, Zoey sent me an endless shopping list.

Portable AC, pink desk and chair, string lights for the closet...

I didn't even bother replying. I just blocked her.

I hung up on him and went back to binge-watching dramas.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a payment alert.

I checked my account.

A payment had gone through.

I opened my delivery app and saw a portable AC had already been ordered.

I gritted my teeth. Damn it, Andrew had linked my bank card to his shopping app ages ago. Figures he'd be the one buying this crap.

Back when his family froze his accounts during a fight, he'd used mine for food.

Then he messaged me.

His message read: [Harriet, I ordered a portable AC and had it shipped to your place. Make sure you bring it to Zoey when school starts.]

[Think of it as me helping you make things right with her. You two are gonna be at the same school. You'll see her every day.]

[Zoey's over it. So cheer up, alright?]

I was so mad that I could barely think straight. I quickly unlinked my card and shot his mother, Blair Weston, a screenshot of the message.

She didn't reply. A minute later, a transfer came through for 100 times the price of the AC. No questions asked.

I accepted the money.

As for that AC? Guess my place could use another one anyway.