Chapter 2
In the clip, they were acting like a married couple, with no shame at all.
Her message cut deeper than any knife. "If it weren't for my mom standing in our way, I would be his wife.
"You think marrying him means you won? Think again. He doesn't love you. You're just my stand-in."
The shock hit me so hard that I coughed up blood.
I grabbed my ID and rushed out to file for divorce, only to die in a car accident on the way, my heart full of bitterness.
But then I opened my eyes again... and found myself back at the start of college.
This time, I'm determined to become everything Madison can't stand.
I was done playing the role of that stand-in.
When I walked back into the private room, Scarlett was sobbing in Madison's arms.
His expression was icy as he stared down Charlotte. "Charlotte, apologize to my sister. Now."
Charlotte stood her ground. "Why should I apologize to this bitch?
"Your precious sister was the one trash-talking Riley behind her back. I only said what she deserved. If she apologizes to Riley first, maybe I'll think about it."
Scarlett lifted her teary, red-rimmed eyes, her voice trembling. "But I was just telling the truth... Is that so wrong?"
She looked like the victim of some great injustice.
Charlotte wasn't having it. "Well, me calling you a two-faced liar is also the truth, so I guess I'm not wrong either."
"Charlotte. That's enough!" Madison snapped, stepping forward with an intimidating glare.
But Charlotte didn't back down.
That was when they noticed I had returned.
A sly glint flashed in Scarlett's eyes. "Riley... you're back."
From what I gathered around the room, I'd already pieced together why they were fighting.
After Madison and I stepped out earlier, Scarlett had started whispering about how "petty" and "mean" I was.
She brought up that time, Madison and I went on a trip to Azure Atolls, and she invited herself along.
I'd gently suggested I wanted some couple time alone with Madison, but she pretended not to understand and came anyway.
The first day, Scarlett said the sun was too strong and stayed in the hotel, so Madison spent the whole day playing games with her.
The second day, we finally got her outside, but then she complained of a stomachache, followed by a headache. Madison promptly booked the earliest flight home.
The trip I'd been dreaming of and planning for months was ruined in two days.
Frustrated, I lost my temper at Scarlett.
She cried and said, "I'm sorry, Riley... I just wanted to bond with you. I didn't mean to cause trouble."
Madison jumped in to calm things down, clearly on her side.
He said, "Scarlett meant well... Besides, she's family. If we get married, she'll be your sister too. Can't you cut her some slack?"
Family. Sister.
Those words made me swallow my anger once again.
Back then, I loved Madison so much that I truly wanted to become part of his family.
For him, I was willing to lose myself.
For him, I endured humiliation in silence.
But my patience only made Scarlett bolder.
She'd tell people behind my back, "Maybe I'm being oversensitive, but don't you think it's kind of petty of Riley to blow up over something so small? It comes off as... well, mean."
That was exactly what Charlotte overheard and why she confronted her.
Now, as I walked in, Scarlett showed no shame at being caught gossiping.
Instead, she looked smug and assured.
She said, "Riley, you don't mind, right? It was just a casual comment. Can you please talk to your friend? She's making such a big deal out of nothing! She's trying to come between us."
She shot a triumphant look at Charlotte, certain I'd do what I always did: swallow my pride to keep Madison happy, smooth things over, even turn against the friend who stood up for me.
But this time, I let her know she was wrong.
I looked straight into her eyes and said, clear and firm, "Yes. I do mind."
My words hung in the air, leaving everyone, including Charlotte, stunned.
Her eyes widened, fixed on me without blinking.
I gave her a small smile.
Scarlett seemed unable to believe what she'd just heard.
She forced a weak laugh. "Riley... what did you just say?"
"I said I mind. Talking behind my back. Is that how you were raised?" I asked.
Scarlett's face flushed bright red.
She tilted her head up toward Madison, tears welling in her eyes, threatening to fall.