Chapter 2
Adrian's expression turned icy again.
He locked his gaze on me and said, "Claire, you know you're allergic to alcohol."
Yeah, I was allergic to alcohol.
Adrian and Joanna both knew about it.
It all started at our senior year celebration. Joanna brought over a drink and insisted I join her for a toast.
Reluctantly, I took a sip, but she kept insisting I finish the whole glass.
Meanwhile, Adrian was busy chatting with the family elders and didn't notice what was happening to me.
By the time he noticed, I was covered in hives and struggling to breathe.
That day, Adrian blew up at Joanna and blocked her on every platform.
He gave her the cold shoulder for three whole months.
But now, Joanna was raising her glass, practically daring me with her attitude.
Adrian stood off to the side, hands in his pockets, basically giving her the green light.
He had changed.
He was no longer the Adrian who loved me.
"So, is that okay with you?" I pressed him again.
Adrian's eyes turned even colder as he said impatiently, "If you want to drink, go ahead. Even if you pass out, I'm not taking you to the hospital.
"Claire, don't think risking your life will make me back down. Grow up."
With that, Adrian grabbed his coat and walked out without even looking back.
Joanna shot me a gloating glance, looking arrogant.
She trotted after Adrian and said, "Adrian, come on, you already know what she's like. Why get so worked up?
"Poor people are always scheming. They don't know what love is.
"She's only after you for your status, you know..."
After Adrian left, everyone in the private room also left.
Some people shook their heads and sighed. "You used to always try to make things right with him. Why are you so stubborn today? Are you actually thinking about calling it quits?"
Someone started making mocking remarks. "Who do you think you are, giving Adrian attitude? Did you forget about your paralyzed grandma?"
I didn't say a word. Suddenly, I smashed the glass on the floor.
Everyone was startled by my sudden action.
In the silence, I stared at that person down, my tone cold as ice. "Watch your mouth about my grandma."
When I got home, I thought I'd be lying awake all night again, just like before.
But to my surprise, I slept like a log until morning.
I couldn't remember the last time I felt this relaxed.
As soon as I unlocked my phone, Joanna's message popped up.
It read: [What makes you think you have any right to be with Adrian? Claire, I'm the one who should be by his side, not you.]
She even sent a photo of Adrian.
In the photo, Adrian was lying with his head on Joanna's lap, eyes closed, looking completely harmless.
I couldn't take my eyes off that photo.
Back when I first met Adrian, he was just like this. Gentle, genuine, burning with enthusiasm.
His smile outshone even the summer sun.
When did Adrian start to change?
Maybe it was when my grandma fell ill and I asked him for money to cover her treatment once.
Or maybe it was the day he let Joanna get close to him.
Joanna had always had a crush on Adrian since they were kids.
They grew up together, and their parents were close.
The year Adrian and I admitted our feelings for each other, Joanna kept making trouble for me. She even blocked my way and said arrogantly, "Adrian is young. It's normal for him to be dazzled by all the pretty faces out there.
"But let me give you some advice: don't even think about it. Someone so lowly, like dirt under our feet, could never stand with us."
My eyes were red with anger, and my heart churned with frustration.
So what if our backgrounds didn't match?
As long as Adrian loved me, as long as we loved each other, we could take on the world together.
I was sure of it.
In the end, I was the foolish one after all.
Those vows we thought were unbreakable got worn down, bit by bit, by the passing of time.
They turned into nothing but dust—unseen, just ending up as dirt on the sleeves of someone heartless. Just something bothersome to them.
With a swipe of my finger, I scrolled up through our chat history. Every inch of the screen was packed with Joanna's snide remarks.
She'd been at it since the day Adrian and I first got together, and she still hadn't stopped.
Every few days, like clockwork, she'd pop up with another jab.
At first, whenever Joanna tried to give me trouble, Adrian would always stand up for me.
But after we started college, Joanna learned to hide her true colors.
She'd use sneaky tricks to drive a wedge between Adrian and me.
And Adrian? He always believed Joanna over me.