Chapter 2
Life in Brighton sped up, like someone had hit fast-forward. Or maybe it just shifted to a completely different rhythm.
I rented a small apartment with a balcony that got sun until three in the afternoon.
I took language classes and prep courses. I learned the streets and the transit system.
Every day was packed full, leaving no room for memories.
Sometimes, late at night, when I couldn't sleep, I'd log into my old, nearly abandoned social media account, the one only a handful of close friends from home knew about.
I'd blocked everyone connected to Lucas.
But occasionally, ghosts from the past would drift through my feed.
Our mutual friend circle was like a pot of hot oil that someone had dumped cold water into. After I left, it only got more chaotic.
At first, it was all outrage on my behalf and condemnation of Lucas.
[Where did Olivia go? Lucas, you piece of trash, you drove her away.]
[Sophie was always a fake. Acting all innocent and helpless.]
[Lucas just threw his reputation in the trash.]
And so the chorus of voices continued.
Then, the wind started to shift.
About half a month after I "disappeared," a new post popped up. It was from some girl in my class who always loved stirring up drama.
[Okay, let's be real. Olivia went way too far. She didn't even give him a chance to explain. She posted that video, ruined his reputation, and ran off overseas to live it up? Yeah, Lucas messed up, but that's harsh. And honestly? The guy's been losing it. He looks like a skeleton.]
Surprisingly, a few people actually agreed.
[Yeah, relationships are complicated. Maybe it was just a one-time thing.]
[The Bennett family is huge. Lucas has never been humiliated like this. Kinda feel bad for him.]
And the list went on.
I scrolled through the comments, my fingers cold, but I almost laughed.
The power of gossip was terrifying. People tended to worship the powerful and crush the weak.
The higher they lifted one, the harder they'd tear them down. Or maybe they just wanted to look "smart" and "fair" by finding a new angle.
A few days later, Lucas finally seemed to recover from the initial shock. He started fighting back.
First, he pulled some strings and got the video and photos wiped from Capital U's forum and most social media platforms.
Then, he showed up at a mutual friend's birthday party.
Someone snapped a picture of his profile. He was sitting in a dark corner, holding a drink, his jaw tight and his eyes gloomy.
The caption read, [Lucas is not in a good mood. Approach with caution.]
Underneath, some brave soul commented. [Still thinking about Olivia?]
He actually replied, with just four words. [She lied to me.]
Even through the screen, I could feel the rage and the betrayal oozing out of him.
He said I lied to him.
Did I lie to him for three years? Did I lie to him every time he proposed? Did I lie to him about my feelings?
What a joke.
*****
A month later, Sophie started showing up by his side all the time.
Or rather, she started showing up in other people's photos, always right next to him.
They went to business galas together. She'd be in some revealing gown, clinging to his arm, all smiles.
They were spotted at the racetrack. He was teaching her to ride, his arms wrapped around her from behind.
Someone even caught them heading back to his fancy downtown penthouse late at night.
The gossip blogs went wild. [Lucas's Broken Heart Healed Fast. New Flame with Sophie? Ex Olivia Is Old News.]
The comments were a goldmine.
[Of course. Men can't be alone.]
[Sophie knows how to work it way better than Olivia. Look at her playing all sweet and helpless.]
[Family background matters. Olivia was never a good fit for the Bennetts.]
[Bet this Sophie chick won't last long either.]
It went on and on.
I stared at the photo. Lucas's face was blank, almost indifferent, while Sophie's smugness practically radiated off the screen.
My heart felt like a dead lake. Not even a ripple.
I just felt tired, like watching flies buzz around.
I closed the tab, shut my laptop, and picked up my language textbook.
I had a three-thousand-word essay to write and a presentation to prepare for next week.
I was too busy to deal with all that cheap noise from a continent away.