Chapter 3

By the time we graduated from high school, things between Ryan and me had hit rock bottom. I was so frustrated and overwhelmed that I wanted to get away from everything.

I told Anna I wanted to study abroad. She seemed to notice that things between Ryan and me were getting worse, and after a moment's hesitation, she agreed.

Anna and I kept it from Ryan with a silent understanding between us, and it stayed that way until a few days before the SAT.

Ryan, as usual, helped me carry my books when we were packing up the classroom. He said, "Emily, after the SAT, I have something I want to tell you."

My heart skipped a beat. I thought he was going to talk about him and Lily getting together.

I was scared they'd really be in love. A couple of days ago, Lily had come to me, saying Ryan was secretly preparing something. She figured he was going to confess his feelings to her once the SAT was over.

After all, she was always dropping hints to him about wanting someone to give her flowers and make a big romantic confession after the SAT.

I couldn't stand the thought of seeing them in a relationship, so I hastily agreed to Ryan, all the while secretly planning to leave the country before the SAT.

I guessed I was a coward, never having the guts to face anything head-on. Whenever trouble came my way, I'd run. But at least I was good at running away.

I left the country, cut ties with almost everyone, and tried to start over.

Recently, my dad tricked me into coming back and tried to force me to marry a man old enough to be my grandfather. I couldn't take it anymore, so one night, I smashed a window and escaped from home.

I was wandering the streets, planning to crash at a hotel for a few days before heading back to school, when I unexpectedly ran into Ryan.

And before I knew it, I tagged along with him to his large single-floor apartment at Grandview Residences.

The sudden ringtone cut through the quiet night, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I glanced at the caller ID and picked up.

"Emmy, how's it going back home? Miss me at all?" It was Cedric Barry, an Eldorian friend I met while studying abroad.

Right after I landed overseas, I got robbed, and Cedric was the one who helped me get my stuff back. When we talked, we learned that we were at the same university, and before long, we became friends.

I replied, a bit helpless, "It's the middle of the night here."

He apologized, "Sorry. I almost forgot about the seven-hour time difference. But seriously, you're still up? Don't tell me you're getting some late-night action."

Cedric was the kind of Eldorian who never held back, and he'd say whatever popped into his head. "So, who's the guy lying next to you? What about me?"

His words were pretty suggestive, and with Ryan only a few steps away, there was no way Ryan would miss his voice.

If Ryan really loved me, as the comments said, I wondered what kind of look he'd have after hearing that.

I stole a look at him, hoping to catch some reaction, but his face showed no emotion at all.

I let out a self-mocking laugh, thinking it was understandable, and that those comments were probably hallucinations from staying up too late. Now, there was nothing showing up in front of me, after all.

I replied to Cedric, "Stop teasing me. I'll be back in a few days—"

But I was suddenly cut off by comments appearing right before my eyes. This time, there were more of them than before.

[The second male lead's mood got darker after he heard what the female lead said. Are those blood streaks on his wrist his way of forcing himself not to cry?]

[He can't help it. It's the only way to stop himself from obsessing over locking her up.]

[Am I the only one who wants to see him imprison her?]

[Forget it. He doesn't have the guts. He's even terrified he'll lose his childhood sweetheart title. At most, he'll secretly cry at night.]

The comments were going wild, but I couldn't bring myself to keep reading the rest because I suddenly noticed what they were talking about: Ryan had hurt his wrist.

I jumped off the couch. "Ryan, you're bleeding."

He acted like he didn't hear me, still gripping the broken glass, his fingers bleeding from the cuts.

I crouched down, cupped his face, and called out, "Hey, Ryan, can you hear me?"

His eyes were red, with tears still hanging at the corners. He looked devastated.

He forced a weak smile. "It's nothing. I cut myself by accident."

That didn't look like an accident at all. I sat him down on the couch and asked, "Where's the first-aid kit?"

"Under the TV stand," he replied.

I found the first-aid kit and treated his wound. The call was still going, and Cedric's shocked voice came through. "You lied to me, Emmy? I heard a guy's voice. Come on, tell me. Is it—"

Not wanting to hear any more, I hung up before he could finish.