Chapter 2

Evan and I were college classmates.

When our friends found out we were together, none of them thought it would last.

It wasn't that they thought I wasn't good enough for Evan. With me being gorgeous and loaded, they couldn't understand why I'd go for someone like Evan, who was all looks and came from an ordinary family.

Ella shrugged it off with a smile. "I think it's fine. Who hasn't had a little fun when they're young? Sophie's messing around with him. She'll dump him when she's bored."

The others all looked like they'd figured it out.

"Oh, so that's it? I was worried Sophie was for real about her first relationship."

"That's right. Sophie should've been having fun ages ago. Otherwise, she'd be missing out on all the fun before she gets married."

"I used to think Evan was all that, being the aloof campus heartthrob. But Sophie swept him off his feet. She's got game."

I told them to cut it out.

And I made it clear that I was serious about Evan.

I really loved him, and I wanted to be with him forever.

"Don't make those disrespectful comments anymore. I don't want him to hear that and feel upset," I demanded.

My friends looked at me with awkward expressions.

But no matter what they thought, Evan was really touched.

He happened to come for me that day and caught the whole conversation.

"Sophie, thank you for having my back so firmly," he said. "I'll show everyone that I'm good enough for you and that I deserve your love."

I wrapped my arms around him happily and confirmed that I believed him.

*****

After graduation, I went straight into my family business.

Evan was still chasing his dream in the music world.

He'd signed a contract with a company, but they didn't appreciate his talent.

Instead, they kept making decisions that contradicted Evan's vision.

Evan was feeling pretty down about it.

But he still hustled, picking up gigs wherever he could to make ends meet. Whenever he had a free moment, he'd bury himself in writing songs.

I couldn't stand seeing him stuck in that tiny, poorly ventilated apartment.

I hated seeing him have to swallow his pride for a few dollars.

I offered to help, but Evan flat-out refused.

I couldn't understand why helping him as his girlfriend was such a problem, and that blew up into a squabble between us.

After some time, Evan caught on to the fact that I'd been helping him behind his back.

He asked for a breakup.

I was so furious that I got a headache. It took Evan a lot of sweet-talking before I finally forgave him.

I always thought that no matter how much we quarreled or how impossible things seemed, we'd stick together and fight through it all.

But then Evan brought up breaking up with me again.

This time, he was absolutely determined.

He packed up, moved out, and ignored me. The only thing he ever said to me was that he wanted to break up.

I asked him why.

He stopped in his tracks, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Sophie, I'm a man. Isn't it obvious? I don't love you anymore."

I cursed him out. And I never imagined he'd be a total jerk.

Evan answered coolly, "Now you know. So, we go our separate ways. That's all."

After that, I never reached out to him again. But late at night, I sometimes cried like a fool.

The past couldn't get to me anymore.

So it was unreasonable for Evan to come back and mess with my life again.

As he said, we should go our separate ways without any contact.

*****

So when I ran into Evan again, I didn't spare him a glance.

Evan grabbed my arm, looking confused. "Sophie, your hand isn't hurt.

"And I remember your period isn't supposed to be now.

"So, you lied to me? Why?"

He looked puzzled and a little hurt.

I was about to tell him I didn't owe him an explanation when the voices of a couple quarrelling nearby caught our attention.

The girl slapped the guy across the face and snapped, "Seriously, you're asking why I used my period as an excuse? If I hadn't, I never would've seen how gross you are.

"Let's break up. I've known your true colors."

She stormed off, and the guy hurried after her.

Evan seemed to get it right away.

He looked at me in disbelief. "So, you thought I was that gross? I never thought that way. When I said I missed you, I didn't mean it like that. How could you think I'd be like that?"

I should admit it.

After all these years, Evan was still as attractive as ever.

I looked away from his aggrieved eyes and replied coolly, "Fine, whatever. But stop trying to run into me. There's no point in us talking anymore."

After I said that, Evan froze there, his eyes rimmed with tears.

He murmured, "Have you come to hate me so much?"

Whenever I wasn't in a good mood, I'd bury myself in work to keep my mind off things.

As expected, with my workload doubled, I didn't have any room in my head for random thoughts.