Chapter 1

It was true. I wasn't as pretty, smart, or strong as the female lead. I was just the background character who stood by her side.

I only realized all of that while I was lying in a hospital bed. I was there because I had stepped in front of a knife to save Regina Madron.

Sharp, careless comments floated around me.

[So this is Regina's best friend, huh? She looks really plain.]

[Well, she got lucky. The author felt bad for her and paired her with the second male lead later.]

[So what? That only happened because he was drugged.]

*****

The words floated right in front of my eyes. At first, I thought the knife had damaged my nerves. I thought I was hallucinating. None of it made sense to me.

[Still, it is useful to have a best friend. She can take a knife for you when it counts.]

[Exactly. That is her only purpose.]

[What else could she do? Good thing she doesn't know Regina brought the knife. She used it to threaten a woman who was chasing Ronald.]

My mind snapped back to what happened before I got stabbed.

Regina had texted me, asking for help. I hadn't even finished dinner. I grabbed a broom and rushed over.

When I got there, someone was pointing a knife at her. I didn't think. I stepped in front of Regina without hesitation.

She had looked shocked. Then she cried and fell straight into Ronald Cress's arms.

I closed my eyes. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the room. I didn't know if I should believe those floating words.

Regina's family was rich. Her boyfriend, Ronald, was even richer. But I was stuck in a cramped hospital room. They had squeezed another bed into the space.

The beds were so close that I could smell the sour odor from the man next to me.

Regina hadn't hired anyone to take care of me. She hadn't even come to see me once.

It was hard to tell what was real anymore.

The comments started scrolling again.

[She looks a little sad.]

[Why pity her? Because of her, Ronald already knows what happened. He is "punishing" Regina right now.]

[Go on. Tell us more.]

I shut my eyes and gripped the blanket tight. Was this really the truth?

I had met Regina in middle school. Back then, people bullied her. I stepped in and stopped them. After that, we became best friends.

My family was poor. I had learned early how to stand my ground. Regina was the opposite. Her family had money, but she was timid. People often took advantage of her.

I had felt like a hero. I told myself I would protect her no matter what.

But now, thinking about it, I thought maybe she had never needed me at all. Maybe it was all just me, getting carried away, thinking it meant something when it didn't.

My eyes burned. The room was noisy, but my corner felt cold and empty.

That was when I truly woke up. The floating words were still there, drifting back and forth.

This was my chance to change everything. I would not be anyone's tool again. I would not marry a man who loved someone else.

Just as I expected, Regina forgot about me completely while I was in the hospital. She never visited.

I went back to my rented place alone. The moment I opened the door, I saw her inside.

Anger rose up fast. I wanted to ask her why she never came after I took a knife for her. I wanted to ask why she lied to me. I wanted to know if those comments were telling the truth.

But then I saw her wrapped tightly in Ronald's arms. I forced myself to calm down. I couldn't turn on her yet.

Those words said Ronald was dangerous, cold, and cruel. I had to be careful.

"Sacha, you're back," Regina said, her voice bright as she reached for me.

I stepped aside. "I'm getting some water."

The words popped up again.

[Why isn't this side character playing along? Regina is being so nice.]

[That is why she is just a loser. The only people Regina trusts are Ronald and Thomas. A best friend? Please.]

[She is only useful to take the blame. Isn't that what is happening now?]

I stopped mid-sip. My guard went up.

I glanced at Regina without letting her notice. She looked upset. The old me would have gone over and comforted her right away. But this time, I did nothing.

Regina stomped her foot and went back to Ronald, hiding in his arms like she always did.