Chapter 2
Charles's hand landed on my shoulder, and I felt a bit grossed out. I shrugged him off.
I had never rejected him before, not once.
I said quietly, "It's fine. Go comfort her. I'm a little tired. I'll head home."
Charles wanted to walk me home, but I turned him down.
Suddenly, Evelyn let out a fake "ouch," and Charles immediately turned, asking, "What's wrong?"
"My foot hurts. I think I twisted it," she said.
Charles glanced at me, said he'd call me later, then scooped Evelyn into his arms and walked off.
Sarah was seething, ready to explode. She wanted to rush up and kick Charles while he wasn't looking, but I stopped her.
Once they left, everyone else started to head out too.
Sarah, still fuming, asked, "Why didn't you teach him a lesson?"
I said, "Would it help? If you hit him, his family's rich and powerful. They could send you to jail if they wanted. If they feel like it, they could even sabotage you when you're looking for a job. We're just ordinary people. We can't fight them."
My voice was flat, like I'd run out of fight.
Sarah sighed, realizing what I meant. "Then what are you going to do? Are you breaking up with him?"
"Breaking up is inevitable, but I can't be the one to bring it up first."
I knew exactly what Charles was like. He always wanted a girlfriend who wasn't after his money, someone who would love him for himself. When we first got together, he tested me over and over.
We were together for four years, and he tested me for three of them.
If I brought up breaking up, he'd tell everyone that I was just after his money and got frustrated when I didn't get any.
When I found out he'd invested so much money in Evelyn, I was devastated.
It turned out, all his tests were for me. He gave Evelyn hundreds of thousands of dollars with just a few words.
I had given him my heart, but all he gave me in return were endless tests.
Breaking up was inevitable.
But I didn't want to be the one with the stain.
That night, I didn't get the call from Charles.
But I did receive the money he sent me.
170 thousand.
There was a line attached to the transfer: [This gift is given with the intention of marriage. If the relationship ends for any reason, the full amount must be returned.]
The moment I saw that number staring back at me, I knew one thing: I'd better bury myself in books until they fall apart.
I called up my professor and asked if there was any way I could snag a full scholarship.
He sent me a file and said he still needed one more person on his project. If I helped for free, he'd put my name on the paper.
I agreed on the spot.
For the next month, I barely came up for air. Some days my phone died without me even noticing.
At night, I was always the last one to leave the lab.
Running the data was tough. I had no choice but to work harder and give it more time.
On my way home, I had to cut through a back alley.
Suddenly, a sketchy voice echoed out from the shadows. "I swear I don't have any cash. Don't be fooled by the sponsorship he gave me.
"It looks like tens of thousands, but he never gave me a single cent."
It was Evelyn's voice.
She sounded like she was being shaken down, but by people she knew.
One of the guys snapped back, "You think we're stupid? That rich boy took you jewelry shopping last time. Maybe he didn't hand you cash, but he bought you that ruby necklace. 30 grand.
"If you don't have money, give us the necklace. We can pawn it."
"Come on. He bought it for you to wear to his birthday party. If you take it, what am I supposed to do?" Evelyn hissed.
"You idiot. Just buy a fake one and wear it. He'll never know," a different guy chimed in.
Evelyn hesitated, staying silent.
The guys kept pushing. "That rich boy already has a real girlfriend, doesn't he? She'll be at the party too. Just pretend the necklace went missing and blame her. You stir up drama and dump the fake on her. Win-win."