Chapter 2
When I got home, I was burning up with a fever.
Mom touched my forehead, and her face fell. "Why are you burning up like this? Weren't James and the others with you for your birthday?"
"We broke up." Even I was a little taken aback after saying it out loud.
Who would've thought that twelve years of love could really end with a single sentence?
Mom didn't try to convince me to stay.
She tucked the blanket around me and gently stroked my head. "It's okay. If you want to go abroad, I'm with you all the way."
My phone kept lighting up with notifications.
It wasn't until they'd finished eating that they finally noticed the person who'd been waiting outside was gone.
James: [Wasn't she supposed to wait for us? She left without saying anything.]
There was not a single word of concern, just blame.
Lily dropped a voice message in the group chat. [Sorry, Sophie, I messed up the reservation.]
Soon, the other three jumped in.
[It's not your fault.]
[Why is she acting all upset now? She didn't say anything back then.]
[It's one meal. She's making such a big deal out of nothing.]
[Hey Lily, don't cry. We all know it wasn't your fault.]
I leaned against my pillow, read through those messages, and then went into the group chat settings.
As my finger hovered over the "Exit Group" button, memories from when we were kids suddenly came flooding back.
Back then, whenever I cried, James would panic and do everything he could to cheer me up. "Sophie, don't cry. I will always be your knight."
Chris and Lucas would always stand in front of me, ready to protect me. "If anyone dares to mess with Sophie, we'll be the first to make them pay."
After Lily showed up, they still made sure to look out for a girl, saying no one could ever hurt her.
But that girl wasn't me anymore.
I left the group chat.
Soon, the accusations started rolling in.
James: [What now, Sophie? Acting like a princess again? You quit the group over something this petty? Guess friendship means nothing to you, huh?]
Chris: [Lily cried the whole night, and we had to comfort her until dawn. You should be the one apologizing to her.]
I set my phone face down on the nightstand.
Outside, the sky was starting to lighten.
From today on, I refused to be the doormat who always took care of everyone else's feelings but never her own.
*****
The next day, I went to take care of all the paperwork for going abroad.
"Ms. Sanders, the project at the Sanders Group Mhitwore Branch is still in its early stages. Are you sure you want to head over there ahead of schedule?" the staff asked.
"I'm sure. I'll get everything done today," I replied.
After I finished handling everything, I ran into Lily at the office.
She stepped in front of me, her voice barely above a whisper. "Sophie, are you still mad at me?"
"No. Step aside," I replied.
She didn't move, but tears welled up in her eyes. "It's all my fault. I never should've gotten between you all."
Right then, I heard those all-too-familiar footsteps coming up behind us.
"Did she bully you?" James said.
The three guys instantly closed ranks around Lily.
"Sophie, that's too much. Apologize." Lucas pressed.
I looked at them, and for the first time, the whole scene felt ridiculous.
"What am I supposed to apologize for? Why should I? And what gives you the right to make me apologize?" I shot back.
"Lily doesn't cry for nothing," James said.
"Sophie, she's our friend. Don't look down on us because you come from money," Chris added.
They didn't need to hear my side of the story.
If Lily started crying, somehow it was always my fault.
"Forget about putting up with the Sanders Group. Why not join my team instead?" Chris said.
"Or you could work with me. I'll bump your salary up three times," Lucas chimed in.
James was more straightforward. "From now on, you're my exclusive assistant. I'll show you the ropes myself. How does that sound?"
Lily glanced at him, tears still glistening in her eyes, but finally managed a smile.
I sidestepped them, slipping past without a glance. "Whatever makes you happy."
But James stepped in front of me. "You have to come to Lily's welcome party tonight."
"I'm busy," I replied.
"She just left the Sanders Group, and she's already on edge. If you don't show up, she'll think you're shutting her out. Sophie, please," he said.
I didn't budge.
As we tussled, he grabbed the pendant my grandmother left me right out of my hand.
My expression darkened, and I reached out to snatch it back. "Give it back."
"Show up tonight, and you'll get it back."
"This is the only thing my grandmother ever left me."
"Exactly. That's why you wouldn't dare bail on Lily."
He said it so casually, like it was no big deal.
I watched him clutch the pendant in his palm and suddenly realized how impossible it was to say no to someone who knew all my weak spots.
I pulled my hand back, feeling a pang in my chest.
I would go one last time, all for my grandma.