Chapter 1
Late at night, I stumbled across a so-called "boyfriend test" online. The trick was simple: log into his group chat with his friends and post, [Guess which girl I'm with?]
On a whim, I logged into my boyfriend James Stone's account and sent the same message.
I expected everyone to say my name. But instead, the chat exploded with a different name: Sophie Shaw, the poor scholarship student.
[No-brainer. It's gotta be that fragile little deaf girl, right?]
Another friend chimed in: [Isn't today her volunteer day at the school for the deaf? You actually went with her?]
[Three days of working with her? Man, you're basically a saint.]
But James had told me he was preparing a birthday surprise for me.
A moment later, I smiled. I picked up my phone and sent a message: [Mom, I've decided to go abroad.]
If he wanted to be someone else's hero so badly, I'd let him have it.
*****
Just then, there was a soft knock at my dorm door.
I opened it to find Sophie standing there, tear stains still marking her cheeks. "I'm really sorry, but could you come to the hospital? James got hurt by some drunk guys while trying to protect me."
She stood in the doorway, nervously twisting the hem of her washed-out shirt. "I don't have enough money."
*****
I rushed to the hospital and covered the bill.
When I got to the hospital room, James was struggling to get up from the bed.
His head was wrapped in thick bandages, but he looked anxiously at Sophie. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"
I stood there, stunned, watching him so worried he forgot about his own pain.
Suddenly, I remembered last year when I was hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. He rushed me to the hospital, completely panicked.
He didn't sleep a wink, watching over me all night.
"Vanessa?" James finally noticed me. His face went white. "Why are you here? Don't get the wrong idea.
"I was passing by the alley and saw Sophie surrounded by some drunks. I couldn't stand by and do nothing."
Sophie looked at me, her eyes red, and insisted, "Don't worry, I'll pay you back for the money."
I smiled and handed her the hospital receipt. "Here you go. I'll be waiting."
Her face instantly turned pale, and she stammered, unable to say anything.
James shot me a look of annoyance. "Vanessa, what's with you? It's not like you need the money. Why embarrass her like that?"
He glanced at the receipt and sent me 6,000 dollars on his phone. "Happy now?"
Watching James bend over backwards for Sophie, I felt my throat tighten up. I kept quiet.
Stone Group had been booming lately, a rising star in Riverdale's business scene. 6,000 dollars was nothing to him.
But he forgot how that star got its shine in the first place.
*****
The next morning, I saw James when I came downstairs.
He was holding breakfast from Baker's Corner on the east side of town, the steam still rising from the bag. "Got your favorite breakfast. Still piping hot."
When I saw the dark circles under his eyes, I couldn't help but tear up.
Baker's Corner was a family business, with recipes passed down for three generations.
I'm obsessed with their food, but the line always takes an hour.
For four years, over 1,400 mornings, James never skipped a single one.
He'd get up two hours before me and trek across half the city to grab breakfast. He always showed up outside my building, right on time, without fail.
He watched my expression closely, his tone gentler. "Don't be mad, okay? Yesterday was a fluke. I happened to walk by and saw it. Next time, I'll mind my own business, alright?"
He said it so lightly, as if I were making a fuss over nothing.
I took a deep breath, the words "Let's break up" right on the tip of my tongue.
But then, another voice suddenly interrupted. "James."
I turned to see Sophie rushing over, carrying a breakfast identical to mine.
She seemed to gather all her courage and pressed the breakfast back into James's hands.
"Here, take this back." Her voice was soft, but it was clear enough for everyone nearby to hear. "I can't accept anything I didn't earn. I might not have much, but I still have my dignity. I can't keep taking your charity."
She made those last two words stand out, casting a pointed look my way. Then she barely managed to whisper, "Sorry for interrupting you two."
Her movements were seamless.
Suddenly, the whispers started, and every gaze zeroed in on me.
"Isn't that the rich girl from the Wynn family? What's her deal now? Look at how she made that girl cry."
"What else? Princess syndrome kicking in again. She can't stand her boyfriend helping another girl."
"I heard Sophie's family is really struggling, and she's working nonstop. Won't Vanessa even cut her any slack? That's cold."
"She's got health issues but still volunteers, and now the rich girl's picking on her?"
"Poor thing, it's like she's getting hit twice, body and soul"
James's face turned grim, his hand tightening around the breakfast Sophie had handed back.
He shot me a look full of blame. "Do you always have to lose your temper?"
"Let's break up." I blinked hard, trying not to cry, and said it as calmly as I could.
He didn't even hear me. He turned and rushed after Sophie.
I raised my hand and dumped the breakfast straight into the trash.
The morning breeze carried a chill.
I was at the library when my advisor called, his voice full of regret. "Why did you suddenly drop out of the competition? You've been working on this project for so long. Did something happen?"
I froze, holding my phone. "What? I never submitted a withdrawal request."
My advisor sounded confused. "The system says you withdrew, and Sophie Shaw has taken your spot."
Sophie Shaw. This name pierced right through me, sharp and cold.
My voice trembled as I said, "Please wait. I'll check the system right now."
I logged into the academic system, and sure enough, it showed I'd withdrawn.
And in the substitute slot, Sophie's name stood out, clear as day.
Only James knew my password.
He always complained I couldn't remember it, so he made it our anniversary date.