Chapter 2

The sting on the right side of my face was burning hot. I pressed my tongue against the inside of my cheek.

"You hit me?" I asked in disbelief.

Claire's anger flared at my reaction, and she nodded without a trace of hesitation.

"Yes, I did. Who are you making that face for? You have no money, but you're jealous of everyone. You've been eating Ethan's food and drinking his drinks this whole trip. Where's your gratitude?"

Her words were merciless, making it clear in front of everyone that I didn't measure up to him.

"...And I'm supposed to be grateful to him?"

The absurdity hit me. Every dollar being spent here was mine. Was I now supposed to be grateful for spending my own money?

Our argument only made things more entertaining for the rest of them. They chimed in with sarcastic attempts at peacemaking.

"Come on. Don't fight. We're all here to have a good time. Just talk it out."

"Lucas has always been like this. Why are you getting so worked up, Claire?"

"Yeah. Let's just focus on having fun together."

Seeing this, Ethan stepped forward with his fake concern. "I'm sorry. I should've planned things better. Claire, don't be upset. We're all here to get along. Lucas, why are you making her so angry?"

Her face flushed at his words.

I looked at her and didn't see a trace of guilt toward me in her expression. My gaze instantly turned icy.

Ethan was only able to get away with this because my black card was linked to my mobile payments, with transaction alerts sent straight to my parents' phones. For years, neither my parents nor I had ever cross-checked the statements.

He had found this loophole and was spending freely because of it. I couldn't hold back my anger anymore and was about to expose him on the spot, but then I stopped short.

In my past life, I'd exposed him exactly like this, and no one had believed me.

Ethan had even twisted it around and accused me of being jealous of his wealth. But the unmistakable guilt on his face was something I remembered to this day.

He must have realized right then that it was my black card he'd stolen, and the plan to kill me probably started taking shape in his mind right after. That was why he ultimately conspired with the others to murder me, leaving my body in the open sea.

Remembering the brutal way I died in my last life, I knew I couldn't let things end the same way again. Now that I had been given a second chance, I would make every single one of them pay.

With that thought, I didn't say another word. I turned coldly and walked straight out of the venue where the fireworks show would be taking place.

Everyone looked surprised to see me leave. After all, we had traveled abroad together, and here I was, walking off alone in a foreign country. From behind me, I could hear the muttered taunts and scornful laughter of my classmates.

"What's wrong, Lucas? Feeling insecure? Where do you even think you're going?"

"Lucas, come back. It's dangerous for you to be alone in a foreign country."

"That's right. Just apologize and come back. No one will hold it against you."

Claire frowned when she saw me leave.

"Lucas!" she called out.

For a moment, I thought she might follow, but she didn't.

I smirked bitterly to myself. It was definitely the right call not to have told her about my family background. She probably only got together with me because of the rumors. If that were the case, then this relationship wasn't worth holding onto.

…

That night, someone who couldn't resist stirring things up sent me photos of Claire and Ethan embracing under the fireworks. Thousands of sparks lit the sky above them as they gazed into each other's eyes. Another second and they would have kissed.

I'd seen it coming, but the sight of her betrayal still sent a chill through me, and my chest tightened. After all, I had been serious about this relationship.

A moment later, Claire sent me a message.

"Lucas, I've had enough of you. Let's break up."