Chapter 5

Before leaving, Vivian returned to campus for one last visit. She needed to pack her belongings, say goodbye to the friends who had genuinely stood by her, and gather the materials she would need to make her public clarification video.

A graduation farewell ceremony was taking place on the athletic field. Chloe and Ethan had been invited to speak as the department's outstanding graduates and the only two students to receive graduate school recommendations.

Chloe was wearing a white shirt with a silver brooch pinned to the collar. The brooch was identical to the one Vivian had tucked away in the back of her drawer.

She remembered how seriously Ethan had spoken when he gave it to her, claiming he'd had it specially made just for her. He'd even designed it himself, insisting that it was a piece that didn't exist anywhere else in the world.

So much for one-of-a-kind.

Vivian turned and headed straight for the laboratory building, but Chloe's words from the stage brought her to an abrupt halt.

"There's one more very special person I'd like to thank, someone I want to acknowledge personally. And that's Ethan."

She continued, "Throughout college, I was poor, insecure, and constantly left out by everyone around me. Time and time again, you were the one who pulled me through my darkest moments.

"You tutored me, helped me secure work-study opportunities, paid my family's medical bills whenever my loved ones were hospitalized, and did everything you could to help me when I thought getting into graduate school was nothing more than a distant dream.

"Without you, I wouldn't be standing here today."

She paused before asking, "Will you be my boyfriend?"

Vivian stopped in her tracks. She couldn't help remembering Ethan's solemn promise just the day before. "You're the woman I've always intended to spend my life with."

Then she heard his answer to Chloe. "I'd love to."

Vivian turned around and continued on her way.

When Vivian reached the laboratory, she froze at the sight before her.

Her computer had been smashed, her research materials were soaked in water, and red paint had been splattered across her workstation, with one vicious word scrawled over it—"BULLY."

Even the crystal ornament her grandfather had left her lay shattered on the floor.

Vivian rushed over and gathered the broken pieces. Kneeling helplessly amid the wreckage, she desperately tried to piece the ornament back together, tears streaming down her face.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her by the hair from behind and dragged her toward the door.

"How dare you show your face on campus again! If Chloe hadn't exposed you, we'd never have known what a disgusting, two-faced person you really are!"

"The graduation ceremony isn't over yet. You're going to apologize to Chloe in front of everyone!"

Vivian barely had time to clutch the broken crystal ornament against her chest before she was dragged toward the athletic field.

Her back scraped against the ground, sending waves of pain through her body until she nearly passed out.

Students and faculty members passing by pointed at her and whispered among themselves. Some even threw stones at her and spat on her.

One stone struck Vivian in the forehead, splitting her skin. Through the blood blurring her vision, she saw Ethan and Chloe approaching side by side.

Ethan stopped directly in front of her, his expression cold and arrogant.

"Didn't you tell my parents just yesterday that you were going to marry me?" Vivian rasped, blood filling her mouth. "Then what is all this supposed to mean?"

Ethan remained perfectly composed.

"It means I've finally figured out what I want. Chloe and I will be attending graduate school at the same university, and being together will benefit both our academic and professional futures."

He paused before continuing, his tone almost regretful.

"Vivian, I do care about you, but your reputation is in tatters, and your life is a mess. I just can't see a future with you anymore. Everyone has to take responsibility for their own choices, don't they?"

He added firmly, "So from now on, stay out of my life and Chloe's. There's no need for you to make that clarification video, either. Chloe will prove herself through her own achievements."

With that, he turned to face the crowd and bowed, offering everyone a gracious smile.

"Thank you all for standing up for Chloe. But I don't want what happened between us to cause any more trouble or create further negativity for everyone."

At last, the crowd began to quiet down, and Vivian limped away.

She fell seriously ill and remained bedridden for an entire week before finally recovering enough to get out of bed.

Her parents watched as their daughter grew visibly thinner, their hearts aching at the sight.

"Our immigration paperwork is ready. We can leave whenever you're ready. Is there anything else you want to take care of before we go?"

Vivian turned to her father.

"Dad, our family business specializes in surveillance systems. We keep backups of the city's security footage in our central database, don't we?"

She then explained, "I need access to some of those recordings. Once we're gone, I want them released alongside my clarification video."

After making all the necessary arrangements, Vivian boarded the plane.

Just before takeoff, a message from Ethan appeared on her phone.

"We're having dinner together tonight. You have to come. Even if we couldn't be together as a couple, I don't want to lose you as my best friend."

Vivian read the message, then deactivated her phone number and deleted all her social media accounts.

She was done with Ethan, Chloe, and the toxic mess that had consumed so much of her life. She wanted nothing more to do with any of them and was determined to put as much distance between herself and them as possible.

She had a life of her own to live now.