Chapter 3

After everyone left, only Louis and I were left in the private room. I was soaked like a drowned rat, a mess from all the drinks poured on me.

I didn't know what to say. I just looked at him timidly, struggling to find the right words to thank him.

But Louis beat me to it. He pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and handed it to me.

He said to me, "Kylie, stick with me from now on. I'll protect you."

From that day on, no one ever bullied me again. And that was when Louis started showing up in my diary all the time.

But I only dared to write his name. Anything more direct just felt way too bold for me.

Louis was like a ray of light in my life.

When I found out Ashland University was the college Louis wanted to go to, I started studying like crazy.

He began helping me out, like lending me his notes, walking me through hard questions, and always cheering me on, saying I'd definitely reach my goals.

Meanwhile, my dad's business was booming. Some of the kids who used to bully me even came to me in private to apologize, just hoping their families could get in on a business deal with ours.

Everything was finally looking up, and I started secretly making moves on Louis.

He totally knew how I felt, but he never really showed his hand.

I didn't care. I chased after him all the way to Ashland University.

First I confessed, then came the proposal, and finally, we got married.

But in the end, he turned away without a second thought, carrying Jasmine in his arms, while I was left to suffer, abandoned in the wild.

Thinking about all that, I glanced at everyone, stunned by what I'd just done, and deep down, I felt an unexpected calm.

I bent down and met Louis's gaze. "Louis, I don't want to marry you."

The air instantly turned icy.

I heard the crowd gasp, and Louis's face was filled with disbelief.

He stood up, took a step toward me, and tried to grab my hand, but I dodged him.

That made him look a bit embarrassed, and his voice carried a hint of annoyance. "Kylie, everyone's watching. Don't mess around."

His confidence honestly left me baffled.

I said, "Louis, I'm dead serious.

"I don't want to marry you, because you never really loved me."

Louis's eyes narrowed suddenly, and for a moment, guilt flickered across his face.

People started whispering, and even our friends were still in shock, not knowing what just happened.

I turned to leave, but Louis caught me by the wrist. "Kylie! What are you even talking about? Weren't we always in love?"

I yanked my hand away, not wanting to hear any more of his phony excuses.

I shot back, "Why did you say yes when I confessed? And why did you pick today to propose? Do you need me to spell out the real reason for you?

"And these red roses everywhere. Who actually likes them? Should I say it right now?"

Louis was frozen, and even his friends who were in on it were left speechless.

No one ever thought I'd call them out like that, because Louis always carried a torch for Jasmine, and they all figured I didn't need to know about it.

So they kept it hush-hush, never saying a word about it around me.

Even on my birthday, Louis gave me a rose-themed cocktail dress.

When I showed up wearing it, all his buddies started laughing.

They came over, showering me with compliments, saying I looked like I was made for Louis, like we were a match made in heaven.

Something about it felt off, but I couldn't figure out what, so I just smiled and said thanks.

Later, when I brought it up to Louis, he actually got a bit annoyed with me.

He had snapped, "Kylie, they're my friends. Why would they be hinting at anything? Can you stop reading too much into it?"

I felt a little hurt, but I still apologized and let it go.