Chapter 3

After a few rounds, Lily got up and stepped outside to use the restroom, and Sophie tagged along.

As soon as they were out the door, Sophie tugged at Lily's sleeve.

She whispered anxiously, "Lily, what was up with you just now? Didn't Ryan say he'd go public with your relationship after graduation? You should've just come clean right then."

Lily felt a tiny sting in her heart, but it faded almost instantly.

"Sophie, it's kinda complicated, but I've made up my mind to end things with Ryan," Lily said.

Sophie shouted in surprise, her voice getting noticeably louder.

"What? You're breaking up with him? Haven't you liked him for so long? And he even said he'd go to Aromport with you," she said.

"He changed his plans and is going to Roynfort instead. I only found out yesterday," Lily said.

"Wait, Roynfort?" Sophie suddenly put the pieces together, her eyes growing red with emotion.

She said, "Are you kidding me? Did Ryan cheat on you? Was it Emily? I knew something was going on between those two. Lily, please don't do anything stupid."

"I've already decided to go to Aromport, and I'm not changing my plans for him. So relax, okay?" Lily said.

Lily said a few comforting words to Sophie, and Sophie finally left, though she was clearly reluctant.

After splashing some water on her face, Lily heard the door open behind her. Thinking Sophie had come back, she turned around with a smile, only to find Emily standing right there.

Lily kept her head down, trying to leave, but Emily caught her by the wrist.

"Lily, can we talk?" Emily asked.

Lily instinctively turned her down. She honestly had no idea what there was to discuss. But Emily's grip was shockingly tight, and Lily couldn't break free.

"If you've got nothing to hide, why are you so afraid to talk to me?" Emily sneered. "No one can ever compete with his first love. Ryan will never choose you. Do yourself a favor and walk away before you make a complete fool of yourself."

Maybe it had something to do with Layne, but Emily had never been nice to Lily.

"I bet you didn't know. Ryan changed his college plans just for me. In two weeks, he'll be heading off to Roynfort with me. Why are you still shamelessly chasing after him? Stop fooling yourself. He's never going to pick you," Emily spat.

Lily met Emily's gaze, totally unfazed.

"If he wants to change his plans for you, that's his business. In two weeks, I'm heading to Aromport, and I'm done with him for good. Does that satisfy you, Miss Grant?" Lily said, her voice icy.

Emily frowned, momentarily lost for words.

Lily smirked, glancing off to the side before she spoke again.

She said, "I used to like him, but not anymore. You really think I'd be stupid enough to follow him to Roynfort? Just so you know, Ryan can't feel love. He said he liked you because of his pride and stubbornness. He always had to be the best at everything, but the only time he ever lost was to my brother. That's why he's so obsessed with getting you.

"If he actually cared about you, why hasn't he ever told you how he feels? Why did he make the same promises to me? You keep imagining he's heartbroken for you, but honestly, you're just setting yourself up to get hurt."

No one would stick around forever, waiting for someone with their heart wide open, especially not Ryan, who'd always been the best at everything.

If someone really did, they must be up to something.

Emily's eyes brimmed with tears, and she gripped Lily's wrist even tighter.

She snapped back, "You have no idea. Just a few days ago, we were drinking, and when he got wasted, he hugged me and said I was the only one he's ever loved. You're the one who should just walk away."

Lily felt a stab in her chest, but she jerked her hand out of Emily's grip, rubbing her wrist. She shot Emily a scornful smile.

"Don't you think you're being stupid? Guess how many girls he's fed that same line to? If you actually buy every guy's 'I love you,' I don't even need to read your horoscope. You're destined to get divorced three times in your life," she said.

Lily turned on her heel to walk away.

Emily snapped, and all her self-control was gone. She stormed over and slapped Lily hard across the face.

"Who are you to talk about him like that?" Emily yelled.

Lily turned her face away, gritting her teeth as her face clouded over. Then, without a second thought, she slapped Emily right back.

She put all her strength into that slap, knocking Emily sideways. Emily lost her footing and fell hard to the floor.

Emily covered her swelling cheek, glaring up at Lily, totally stunned.

Then, the door was kicked open.

Ryan appeared in the doorway, looking gloomy. Emily's eyes went red, and she started crying on the spot.

"Ryan, it hurts so much," she cried out.

Ryan scooped Emily up in his arms, giving Lily a look that was hard to read, emotions swirling beneath the surface.

"We'll talk about this later," he said.

Then he walked out, not even bothering to look back.

Lily smirked, letting out a sigh.

Talk?

What was there left to talk about?

All he cared about was Emily lying on the floor. He didn't even glance at Lily's bruised cheek.

Didn't that say it all about who he really cared about?

Lily dragged herself home, feeling completely drained.

After taking a shower, she lay down on her bed, when her phone suddenly started ringing.

Thinking it was Sophie, Lily didn't even bother to check the caller ID. She just picked up without opening her eyes.

"Lily..." A deep, raspy male voice came through the line.

Lily instinctively snapped to attention, immediately hanging up.

A few minutes later, someone knocked on her door.

When she opened it, Ryan was standing there. The hallway lights threw his face into shadow, giving him an edge of dangerous allure.

"You're coming with me to apologize to Emily. Now," Ryan said.