Chapter 2 · She Stole My Love, I Shined Across the World

When I was a kid, my parents were always busy. The only person around was the nanny.

I barely talked to anyone. By the time they noticed something was off, I was already starting to withdraw into myself.

Chris was the nanny's son.

My parents begged him to spend more time with me and keep me company.

He was responsible, as if he were taking care of a kitten that never made a sound.

I did get better, but I only clung to Chris.

During my junior year of high school, my teacher suggested that I pursue music and attend an intensive training program.

I didn't want to be apart from Chris, so I cried all night.

He stood outside my door, watching me cry my eyes out.

He crouched down and sighed helplessly. "Since you can't bear to be away from me, I'll apply to the same music program, and we'll go to the same college."

He thought a music program was about singing and getting a few bonus points on college applications.

But I didn't want him to ruin his future because of me.

So, I gave up the cello after ten years of practice.

Every day, as soon as I woke up, it was all about doing endless practice tests.

To my surprise, I scored higher than expected on the SAT and barely made the cutoff to get into the same prestigious college as Chris, even though I was assigned to the school's least popular major.

Chris couldn't hide his grin. "You like following me around, huh? I'm planning to stay in Riverton after graduation and join a top internet company. Are you going to follow me there, too?"

I argued back, "How will I know if I don't try? Worst case, I'll find a small company near you. We can rent a place together, get a cat, and you can bring me snacks when you get off work."

Chris blushed under my intense gaze.

He lowered his head shyly. "Then I'll have to work hard and make more money."

He paused and added quietly, "Taking care of you isn't cheap."

My cheeks were burning, too.

We'd grown up together. Our parents caught on to our little crushes early on, but instead of stopping us, they silently gave us their blessing.

But now, I didn't want to keep chasing after Chris anymore.

I couldn't be bothered to figure out why he switched to working at a big company in Southshire.

He'd always said he wanted to settle down in Riverton.

"Mom, Dad, do you remember Professor Elena Carter from Moonveil College of Music?" I asked.

Elena was an internationally renowned cellist who offered to mentor me four years ago.

But back then, I stubbornly chose to apply to the same college as Chris.

I spent four years lost on the wrong track. This time, I wanted to start fresh.

Mom didn't ask any more questions.

Through the screen, she looked at me with pride and relief in her eyes. "Sweetheart, you've finally grown up."

After hanging up the video call, I stepped out of the house.

As soon as I stepped into the underground garage, my phone buzzed with a notification.

Lily was ranting in the student council group chat.

[Ugh, someone is so annoying! My bestie and I are heading to Southshire. He's tagging along with us.]

Chris replied instantly: [I'm going because Sophie wants to. You're the one tagging along with us.]

The two of them went back and forth, and the group chat blew up with 99+ notifications.

Someone tagged me. [Chris and Lily are fighting over you again. Sophie, aren't you going to do something about it?]

If it were before, I'd probably send a facepalm emoji and then DM both of them to play peacemaker.

I acted as if I were some trophy they wanted to win.

But now I sneered and muted the group chat.

The student council picked a BBQ restaurant outside town for the dinner, one with a big outdoor area perfect for a group gathering.

As soon as I walked into it, I saw Chris and Lily huddled by the grill. One flipped the food while the other brushed on sauce.

They might argue nonstop, but when it came to teamwork, they were like a perfect duo.

I slipped over to a quiet spot in the shade.

As I sat down, Chris came over, holding out a skewer of freshly grilled chicken wings.

"What's wrong? Did someone upset our little princess again?" he teased. "Why are you sitting so far away? Don't you want your boyfriend anymore?"

I'd already made up my mind, but seeing him standing there made my chest tighten a bit.

Chris was good-looking, with a smile that made his eyes crinkle. He had that kind of face that made people want to get close to him.

Honestly, he was a good guy.

When I was little and scared of thunder, he'd climb over the balcony to keep me company.

Back in high school, when I fainted from low blood sugar, he carried me on his back and ran all the way to the hospital. Only after arriving at the ER did he realize he hadn't changed out of his slippers.

The first time Lily saw him, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Your boyfriend is amazing. He's so handsome and caring. I'm so jealous."

After Chris saw Lily making chicken soup for me, he couldn't help but tease, "You spoiled little thing, you are lucky. How come everyone around you is so good at taking care of you?"

Chapter 2

When I was a kid, my parents were always busy. The only person around was the nanny.

I barely talked to anyone. By the time they noticed something was off, I was already starting to withdraw into myself.

Chris was the nanny's son.

My parents begged him to spend more time with me and keep me company.

He was responsible, as if he were taking care of a kitten that never made a sound.

I did get better, but I only clung to Chris.

During my junior year of high school, my teacher suggested that I pursue music and attend an intensive training program.

I didn't want to be apart from Chris, so I cried all night.

He stood outside my door, watching me cry my eyes out.

He crouched down and sighed helplessly. "Since you can't bear to be away from me, I'll apply to the same music program, and we'll go to the same college."

He thought a music program was about singing and getting a few bonus points on college applications.

But I didn't want him to ruin his future because of me.

So, I gave up the cello after ten years of practice.

Every day, as soon as I woke up, it was all about doing endless practice tests.

To my surprise, I scored higher than expected on the SAT and barely made the cutoff to get into the same prestigious college as Chris, even though I was assigned to the school's least popular major.

Chris couldn't hide his grin. "You like following me around, huh? I'm planning to stay in Riverton after graduation and join a top internet company. Are you going to follow me there, too?"

I argued back, "How will I know if I don't try? Worst case, I'll find a small company near you. We can rent a place together, get a cat, and you can bring me snacks when you get off work."

Chris blushed under my intense gaze.

He lowered his head shyly. "Then I'll have to work hard and make more money."

He paused and added quietly, "Taking care of you isn't cheap."

My cheeks were burning, too.

We'd grown up together. Our parents caught on to our little crushes early on, but instead of stopping us, they silently gave us their blessing.

But now, I didn't want to keep chasing after Chris anymore.

I couldn't be bothered to figure out why he switched to working at a big company in Southshire.

He'd always said he wanted to settle down in Riverton.

"Mom, Dad, do you remember Professor Elena Carter from Moonveil College of Music?" I asked.

Elena was an internationally renowned cellist who offered to mentor me four years ago.

But back then, I stubbornly chose to apply to the same college as Chris.

I spent four years lost on the wrong track. This time, I wanted to start fresh.

Mom didn't ask any more questions.

Through the screen, she looked at me with pride and relief in her eyes. "Sweetheart, you've finally grown up."

After hanging up the video call, I stepped out of the house.

As soon as I stepped into the underground garage, my phone buzzed with a notification.

Lily was ranting in the student council group chat.

[Ugh, someone is so annoying! My bestie and I are heading to Southshire. He's tagging along with us.]

Chris replied instantly: [I'm going because Sophie wants to. You're the one tagging along with us.]

The two of them went back and forth, and the group chat blew up with 99+ notifications.

Someone tagged me. [Chris and Lily are fighting over you again. Sophie, aren't you going to do something about it?]

If it were before, I'd probably send a facepalm emoji and then DM both of them to play peacemaker.

I acted as if I were some trophy they wanted to win.

But now I sneered and muted the group chat.

The student council picked a BBQ restaurant outside town for the dinner, one with a big outdoor area perfect for a group gathering.

As soon as I walked into it, I saw Chris and Lily huddled by the grill. One flipped the food while the other brushed on sauce.

They might argue nonstop, but when it came to teamwork, they were like a perfect duo.

I slipped over to a quiet spot in the shade.

As I sat down, Chris came over, holding out a skewer of freshly grilled chicken wings.

"What's wrong? Did someone upset our little princess again?" he teased. "Why are you sitting so far away? Don't you want your boyfriend anymore?"

I'd already made up my mind, but seeing him standing there made my chest tighten a bit.

Chris was good-looking, with a smile that made his eyes crinkle. He had that kind of face that made people want to get close to him.

Honestly, he was a good guy.

When I was little and scared of thunder, he'd climb over the balcony to keep me company.

The first time Lily saw him, she couldn't help but blurt out, "Your boyfriend is amazing. He's so handsome and caring. I'm so jealous."

After Chris saw Lily making chicken soup for me, he couldn't help but tease, "You spoiled little thing, you are lucky. How come everyone around you is so good at taking care of you?"