Chapter 4

That evening, the class organizer messaged the group chat about a voluntary hiking trip to the lake district.

Figuring I should probably see my classmates one last time before leaving for good, I agreed to go.

But when I boarded the bus, I saw Grant sitting right next to Vivian.

The organizer quickly introduced him. "This is Vivian's husband, and our department's former star student turned professor, Grant Holloway."

I didn't say a word and walked straight to the very last row.

A moment later, the light beside me dimmed as Grant took the seat next to mine.

"I didn't think you'd come," he muttered. "Vivian said some people were gossiping about her, so I came along to support her."

I let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Gossiping about her? Weren't those whispers meant for me?"

Grant's face tightened. "I'm sorry about what happened. But you have to believe me—"

"I don't believe you." I cut him off, put my headphones on, and closed my eyes.

Vivian quickly hurried to the back and sat next to Grant.

"Mara, I know you're angry," she whined softly. "But what's done is done. Just let it go."

"Let what go?" I opened my eyes and glared at her. "The fact that you stole my work, or that you stole my boyfriend?"

The back of the bus instantly erupted in murmurs.

Vivian looked panicked. "What are you talking about? I went out of my way to make sure you were invited, and instead of being grateful, you slander me?"

"Slander?" I looked at Grant. "Ask him."

I still held onto a pathetic, microscopic sliver of hope that he would say one word in my defense.

Grant looked at me, his eyes pleading. "Mara, we did date in the past. But you can't talk about Vivian like that. She is... my wife now."

The bus went dead silent.

Then someone spoke up. "Well, no one would lie about being married."

Another voice immediately followed. "Then Mara is completely shameless. She copies Vivian's project and then tries to hook up with her husband?"

I clutched my chest, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

"Grant," I whispered, my voice shaking with cold fury. "I hope you never regret the words you said today."

Shortly after, the bus arrived at the scenic lake district outside Illinois.

I practically ran off, walking far away from the group on my own.

Grant tried to follow me, but Vivian grabbed his arm. "Grant, my dad said you've been here before. Walk with me, please?"

Grant hesitated, but eventually, his footsteps stopped.

I walked alone with my head down for a long time.

When it was time to head to the next spot, I hurried back to the parking lot, only to find it completely empty.

No bus. No classmates.

I immediately called the organizer.

His tone was evasive. "Mara, Vivian said the next scenic spot was better. Everyone agreed to leave early."

"You could have texted me. You can't just leave me out here alone."

"To be honest, Mara, you've been acting really ugly lately. Everyone is avoiding you. Grant even specifically said you didn't live too far from here and that you could just call a cab yourself."

The call ended.

I stood there as the dial tone buzzed in my ear, tears finally spilling over my cheeks.

Fine. Let them leave. Tomorrow was the graduation ceremony. I would tear their lies to the ground and prove my innocence once and for all.