Chapter 2

So, I became Sophie's contract husband.

Well, actually, we were just contract boyfriend and girlfriend for now.

Walking around campus, I could feel the murderous stares from every direction.

After all, Sophie was the classic rich, beautiful, and unattainable type. Aside from her legendary first love, she never even glanced at other guys.

Countless guys had her as their dream girl, jerking off to her in their beds.

But now, this untouchable goddess had ended up with a broke nobody like me.

Whether I was in class or just walking around, I could always hear people whispering behind my back.

The subject of their gossip was never a surprise.

Everyone was betting on how long it'd take for Sophie to dump me, or saying I was just a loser dreaming way out of his league.

I just smiled it off.

Just a little storm in a teacup, nothing I can't handle.

A few days later, the news that Sophie had a boyfriend spread like wildfire across Southbridge University.

My personal info got dug up and blasted everywhere, my WhatsApp ID was even pinned right at the top of every forum.

People were adding me on WhatsApp nonstop.

I just turned on Do Not Disturb and let it be.

*****

One day, I'd just finished a plate of chicken at a little spot off campus.

As soon as I turned the corner into an alley, I ran into five or six punks.

Leading them was Jack Stone, the school bully.

He was from the sports department, built like a tank, all muscle, and looked like he could throw his weight around.

"Ryan Fields, right?" Jack called out.

He swaggered over, swinging a baseball bat in his hand.

The rest of his crew smirked and closed in, hemming me against the wall.

"So it's true, you're with Sophie now?" Jack sneered.

"Listen up, I'm giving you two choices. One, break up with Sophie and bow to me. Two, you're leaving here with one less leg."Jack said.

Me? I didn't pick either. Who said I had to play by their rules?

I whipped out my phone and called Sophie.

"Hey, dear wife, Jack brought a dozen guys to jump me. I'm taking the hit for you, so you better step in," I said.

"Shouldn't I get 30 grand for taking a beating for you?"

On the other end, Sophie was stunned for a moment.

She finally spoke, biting back her frustration.

"Why don't you just run for it?" she asked.

"Run? With a dozen guys? No way. This is all on you, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be getting my ass kicked. 30 grand, not a penny less," I said.

Sophie had to admit I made some sense, so she gritted her teeth and agreed to cough up 30 grand for my medical bills.

I grinned from ear to ear as I put my phone down.

"Go ahead, just leave my face alone, Sophie still has to look at it," I said with a smirk.

That line really set Jack off.

He raised his hand, ready to take a swing at me.

But I was faster. I kicked him right in the family jewels.

Then I punched him square in the jaw.

Went for the groin first so he couldn't run, then hit his mouth so he couldn't beg for mercy.

After that combo, Jack was down for the count.

He was hunched over on the ground, looking pathetic, his lips quivering uncontrollably.

"I told you to hit me, and you actually did it?" I said, grinning.

"You've got a baseball bat and you still use your fists? Are you stupid or what?"

Then I gave Jack two savage kicks and snatched up the baseball bat he'd dropped.

Jack's trembling turned into a howl of pain.

The rest of the guys all clutched their crotches at once.

They shuddered and bolted out of there.

Jack, who'd been sprawled on the ground, somehow managed to sit up, leaning against the wall and gasping for air.

"Ryan, you're ruthless!" Jack spat out.

I just waved him off with a grin and crouched down in front of him.

"You know why Sophie never picked you?" I asked.

"Because you're all show and no go. Look at you, all big and tough, but you couldn't even take one kick from me."

Jack's face looked like he'd just swallowed a rotten egg.

I kept twisting the knife.

"You ever wonder why they call her Sophie? Bet you never figured that out, huh?" I said, grinning.

Jack sputtered, "You..."

He tried to get up, but the pain in his crotch was so intense, his legs just wouldn't work.

I gave his handsome face a taunting slap.

"Even with all your family's money, it doesn't mean squat. Sophie still picked a broke loser like me over you," I said, grinning.

"Maybe you should look at yourself, ever think you might be impotent? That's a medical issue, bro. Better see a doctor."

Jack was completely triggered.

"You're the one who might be impotent! Your whole family's got the same problem!" he snapped back.