Chapter 3

I was out cold in Nathan's villa for the whole night.

When Nathan entered the bedroom, I was packing my bag. "Your supervisor said you're in urgent need of money," he said.

He leaned against the doorway. Backlit, his features looked nearly flawless. Seven years had passed, and he had become someone far out of reach.

My father had been right. We were never meant to walk the same road as Nathan. People destined to shine couldn't afford even the smallest stain.

"Whether I need money or not is none of your business," I said coldly.

Nathan slowly took out a diamond ring. It was an old design, with tiny chips set around it. It looked completely out of place for someone of his status now.

"Marry me," he said calmly. "I'll transfer the money right away."

I stopped packing, thinking I'd misheard him.

He continued, "Vivian slipped up last night. People online have started digging into our past, and the paparazzi are looking for you. Summer, you came back for one thing—to make me marry you. I can do that. But you are not to say a single word about the past.

"Vivian is a top actress now. Things aren't what they used to be. I can't let my ugly history mess up the good life she's finally got."

His absurdity almost made me laugh. Seven years ago, he had lowered himself to my family for her sake. Seven years later, he was still willing to marry the woman he despised most—all to keep my existence from staining the bright road of the woman he loved.

I said, "You're really overthinking it. Neither you nor Vivian is that important to me. I came back for my reasons. It's got nothing to do with you two, and I don't even want to think about the past either."

Before the last word faded, Nathan grabbed my wrist hard. "You think I'm that easy to fool? You disappeared for seven years and came back right when the company was about to go public. You want to destroy Vivian and me, crush us with public opinion and fake morality. Playing hard to get doesn't work on me. Crushing you would be as easy as breathing."

The look in his eyes told me he meant it. I backed away in fear, forced into a corner. I had no choice but to tell the truth. "I was dying. I came back because I wanted to be buried with my father. I truly have nothing to do with you or Vivian."

A flicker of panic crossed his handsome face, quickly turning into disgust. "So you're not slow anymore, but now your heart's gone rotten. You're actually trying to trick me with these cheap lies. You're not going anywhere for a while."

Suddenly, my heart seized in sharp pain. I bit my lip hard, refusing to let the tears fall. "Nathan, can you and Vivian take your tragic love story and mess with someone else for a change? I'm not that clueless girl anymore. I won't watch you hug and kiss and pretend it's normal."

Nathan looked suddenly panicked.

The first time I saw just how inseparable Nathan and Vivian really were was on a stormy evening.

Nathan had stayed late for tutoring and hadn't brought an umbrella. Worried he'd get soaked, I trudged to the school gate to bring him one.

Under the plane trees, Nathan stood soaking wet, water dripping from his clothes. Across from him stood Vivian.

"The whole school's been buzzing," she said. "They say you agreed to marry a fool just to pay for my heart treatment. I'm so useless. I only drag you down. I wish I were dead."

It was the first time I saw Nathan lose control. He said, "Vivian, stop it. Just live, please. I'm begging you."

"Nathan, I can't go on without you." Vivian's voice cracked, desperate and broken.

I stood far away and watched him lower his head and kiss her in his arms.

The rain felt colder than midwinter snow. A sudden sense of violation washed over me, as if something that belonged to me had been dirtied. I rushed forward and shoved the entwined pair apart.

Vivian fell to the ground, mud splashing over her white dress.

Nathan stared at me in shock, yet his hands never stopped reaching for her.

I completely lost it. I opened my mouth and bit down hard on his arm.

He didn't dodge. The taste of blood quickly filled my mouth.

Vivian's face turned ghost-pale as she clutched her chest. "My heart hurts."

Nathan shoved me aside in panic and fed her medicine. The way he coaxed her was far more tender than he had ever been with me. In the end, he said, "Vivian, sweetheart, don't let that fool get to you."

I felt like I'd fallen into an ice pit. Turned out, he was just like everyone else and thought I was a fool.