Chapter 3

Earlier this year, Naura entered the entertainment industry as a newcomer. But because her acting wasn't very good and she only played supporting roles, she's still a little-known actress.

I'd heard from Rayan's friends that Naura was great at everything, but she was too proud to accept his Rayan's help. Otherwise, she would have become a top actress long ago.

I'd seen plenty of Naura's photos and caught her in a few dramas, but this was the first time I was actually seeing her in person.

"Are you Leona?" Naura asked, her gaze sharp and judgmental. "I heard from Nixon and the others that you're from a rural area. It must have been hard for you to get into a university in Newford from such a remote place, right?"

I didn't want to waste time arguing with her, so I shot back, "Is there something you need, Naura?"

Janet gave me a smug look. "With your background, Rayan is only playing around with you. If it ever came to marriage, you wouldn't even make it past the Stevenson family's doorstep."

"Who said I want to marry him?" I shot back.

Just as I was about to enter the code and go inside, Naura finally realized what I meant. "What do you mean? You don't want to marry Rayan?

"Stop lying to me. If you didn't want to marry him, why did you chase after him so relentlessly?"

Naura sneered at me, her eyes full of disdain. "I know all about you. You jumped into bed with Rayan not even a month after you two got together. Seriously, have you no self-respect?"

I let out a sharp laugh, more annoyed than amused. "Even if we'd only been together for a day, he was still my boyfriend. What's so wrong with craving my own man and sleeping with him?

"But honestly, Naura, what are you even doing here?"

Naura cocked her chin, all smug. "Aren't you going to open the door? Go on, punch in the code."

I entered the code, and the villa's front door swung open.

Naura smirked. "The code is my birthday. Not only for the villa door, Rayan's phone and even his bank card PIN are all my birthday too.

"Now, do you understand what I mean?"

I froze.

I remembered asking Rayan once why he used the same password for everything.

What did he say back then?

Rayan had smiled and squeezed my fingers, saying, "Because this date means something special to me every year."

I'd always wondered if it was the birthday of someone in his family, but I never would've guessed it was Naura's.

Naura followed me inside.

She pointed at the little garden out front, her voice full of pride. "Look at those sunflowers. Rayan plants them every year because I love them."

I looked where she was pointing.

The garden was all sunflowers, like she said.

One time, when the sunflowers were blooming perfectly, I picked a few and put them in a vase on the living room table.

When Rayan found out, he was so angry that he threw out the flowers along with the vase.

I was scared out of my wits that day. I kept apologizing, begging him not to be angry and promising I'd never mess with the sunflowers in the garden again.

Later, Rayan explained that he hadn't meant to lose his temper at me. He said he'd just been dealing with some problems at work.

After that, I didn't even dare look at the sunflowers in the garden, much less touch them.

Even though I felt uneasy inside, I kept my cool and headed inside.

Naura followed me around like a shadow. "Rayan doesn't like girls like you at all. He admires women who are independent and capable, not someone who's only interested in marrying up and being taken care of."

"Are you his personal mind reader or something?" I shot back. "Naura, what gives you the right to meddle in my relationship with Rayan? Who are you to him?

"We're not even broken up yet, and you're already so desperate to take my place?"

"What did you say?" Naura snapped, her face twisted with rage as she raised her hand to slap me. But I quickly caught her wrist and gave her a hard shove.

"Naura!" Rayan rushed over, catching her before she could fall, then shot me a furious glare. "Leona, what the hell are you doing?"

"She started it. I was defending myself," I shot back.

"Rayan, don't blame her," Naura said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have come here."

Rayan murmured a few soft words to Naura, then turned to me, his face cold as ice. "Leona, apologize to Naura."

Apologized? As if.

I turned on my heel and walked away.

After all, my stuff was already packed. I wasn't about to waste another second here.

"Stop right there!" Rayan snapped, really losing it for the first time. He grabbed my wrist and, before I could react, slapped me hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed through the room. My cheek burned as my head snapped to the side.

That slap smashed to pieces all the love I'd held for him these past three years.

"Rayan, you..." Naura's face went pale, clearly shocked. "How could you hit Leona?"

"I..." Rayan instinctively released my wrist, his voice faltering. "Leona, I..."