Chapter 3

He let go of my wrist like I was something dirty, brushing off his sleeve as if I'd left a stain, and let out a mocking laugh.

"Take a good look at yourself. Everything you are wearing, from head to toe, is from me," Lucas sneered.

"Let's see if you can actually stick to your guns this time. Just don't come sobbing and begging to get back in like you did last time," he added.

Here we went again.

Every time my emotions hit their peak, Lucas always used his so-called generosity to hold me hostage.

I blinked fast, forcing the tears back. Then I turned, walked past him with zero hesitation.

He didn't even know that I'd already applied to elite universities overseas.

No more tears.

I gave up chasing after him.

Finally, I set myself free.

Tina and I spent hours packing up my things, not finishing until late at night.

Dead tired, I dragged myself back to my off-campus apartment, only to be stopped right at the door.

I tried the door, but it wouldn't open.

Both my fingerprint and the passcode showed as errors.

Just as I was wondering if the lock was busted and reaching for my phone to call the landlord, the door swung open from the inside.

It was Lucas.

He was dressed in casual clothes, hair still damp, carrying the scent of that body wash I'd only just gotten for him.

When he saw me, his expression was unreadable, but his voice had that familiar mocking edge. "Janet Shaw, aren't you supposed to be so proud of yourself?

"I figured you'd have the sense to move out after your speech. So why are you showing up at my place again?"

He stressed those last words: "my place."

An overwhelming sense of exhaustion hit me all over again.

This apartment actually belonged to Lucas.

I'd really bitten the bullet and rented it, just to stay close to the lab and have somewhere peaceful to study.

It was only later that I found out the landlord was one of Lucas's buddies.

If Lucas hadn't put in a word for me, I never would've gotten it for so far below the market rate.

Lucas would drop by from time to time—always claiming he was "inspecting the place", but he'd end up spending the night.

I never imagined he'd stoop so low just to see me squirm.

He actually went as far as to change all the locks.

I clenched the handle of my suitcase, forcing myself to stand tall.

I said, "I spent the afternoon clearing out the dorm. I'm just here to pick up what's left."

After a brief pause, I added, "Don't worry, Lucas. I'm not about to stick around where I'm not wanted."

I was clinging to the last shred of dignity I could muster.

Lucas stepped aside, arms crossed, lounging against the doorframe with that smug, totally unbothered vibe as he watched me.

My feet were killing me in those stupid heels, and I was too tired to stand steadily.

With him acting like that, I just had to suck it up and pack my stuff.

Luckily, I'd already moved most of my stuff to the dorm, so there wasn't much left.

It didn't take long before I had the last box packed up.

I was just about to leave with my suitcase when the bathroom door suddenly swung open.

There was Hazel, wrapped in nothing but a towel.

She was drying her wet hair, barefoot, and walked out like she owned the place.

In that moment, I could actually hear something inside me break.

It was a sharp, unmistakable crack—like a piece of glass shattering.

I'd braced myself for this, but seeing it happen right in front of me left me totally speechless. My mind went completely blank.

Without meaning to, I let go of my suitcase, and it hit the floor with a dull thud.

That snapped me out of it, and I awkwardly scrambled to pick it up.

Hazel called out, "Janet."

She stepped over my suitcase and strolled into the living room to pour herself a glass of water.

Hazel spoke first, her voice sickly sweet and mean. "Why is it that every time I see you, you just never know how to behave yourself? You always manage to show up where you're clearly not wanted."

I tried to speak, but my throat was so tight with emotion that I couldn't make a sound.

In that moment, every bit of pride and facade I'd clung to crumbled to dust.

Hazel took slow, deliberate steps toward me.

Lucas just leaned against the doorframe, looking completely unfazed—like this was all just entertainment for him.

I gritted my teeth and forced a smile at Hazel, though it probably looked more like a grimace.

"Sorry for bothering you guys," I said stiffly. "I'll just get my things and leave."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hazel demanded.

Hazel pressed on, not backing down for a second. "Are you trying to rub it in that you're closer to him than I am?"

She'd lost face at the meeting earlier, and now she was out to get payback.

I didn't want to get dragged into her drama. I just needed to get out of this suffocating place as soon as possible.

"Sorry, I'll be out of your way in a second," I muttered.

Hazel never knew when to let things go.

She blocked my path with an outstretched arm. "Did I say you could leave?"

I set my suitcase down and looked her right in the eye. "So what is it you want from me?"

"What do I want?" Hazel shot back with a mocking little laugh.

She swirled the water in her glass.

Then, out of nowhere, she tossed the whole glass of water straight into my face.

Ice-cold water trickled through my hair, down my cheeks, and all the way into my collar.

It soaked right through my thin sweater, leaving it clingy and freezing against my skin.

"Oops, sorry about that. My hand slipped again," Hazel apologized hypocritically.

She shoved the empty glass back into my hand, still sounding all cheerful. "But you probably don't care, right? I mean, it's not like it's your first time."

I had zero intention of wasting another second on her.

I couldn't even be bothered to pick up my suitcase. I just turned on my heel to leave.

But Lucas reached out and grabbed my wrist. "Don't think you can walk away like that."

I wiped the droplets from my face and shot Lucas a look.

Then glanced at Hazel, still standing there in nothing but a towel.

"What's the matter, Lucas? Want me to hang around and take notes about your sex? Sorry, I'm not a pervert," I snarked right back.