I'm Only His Tool to Woo Another

I remembered how I met Matteo. It was at the tutoring center where I worked part-time.My family didn't have much, and Mom had gone through so much to raise me on her own.Once I started college, I didn't want to be a financial burden to her anymore, so I took on all kinds of part-time jobs. That was when I met Matteo, who had also come there to work.It wasn't until we started dating that I realized he came from a wealthy family.When I asked him why he was bothering with a part-time job, he just smiled and replied, "My parents taught me from a young age that money doesn't grow on trees, so I wanted to see what it felt like to earn my own way."But now, his post told a completely different story. "Who the hell would work a part-time job if it wasn't to get to her? She actually bought it, though. How naive."But obviously, that wasn't enough. To make someone feel safe, you have to show up when they need support the most. Even though my girlfriend came from a poor background, she

When it came to group projects, everyone in class would pair up, leaving me completely stranded. No one wanted me near their team.And during that time, Matteo was the only one who stayed by my side.In the beginning, I hadn't just sat back and taken it. But every time I tried to post evidence to clear my name, the posts were deleted almost instantly.Only now did I realize that Matteo himself was a moderator for the student forum. Manipulating campus opinion was child's play for him.The guys who used to have crushes on me changed their attitude after this incident. Fueled by the rumor mill, they went even further and began attacking me on the campus forum.Some claimed I dropped deliberate hints to string them along. Others accused me of juggling multiple guys, fabricated rumors that anyone could sleep with me for cash, and even claimed I got the grad school spot by selling my body.It wasn't until a few days later, when a post titled "Stop Slandering and Attacking My Girlfrien

As the plane broke through the cloud layer, the sunlight suddenly became blindingly bright.I leaned against the window and closed my eyes.It was evening local time when we landed. I dragged my two suitcases out of the airport, looking around at the Yurestian signs with a slight sense of detachment. The air carried a different scent here, though I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was.I powered on my phone, and notifications instantly flooded the screen like a tidal wave.They were all from Matteo.Dozens of WhatsApp messages, over a dozen missed calls, and a string of texts.I didn't reply to a single one.Instead, I opened the forum post again. The latest update had been posted an hour ago.All of his previous entries had been completely wiped clean, replaced by just a few brief lines."Today is our one-year anniversary, and she broke up with me. I have no idea where she went. She's completely ghosting my calls. I don't know what kind of tantrum she's throwing."I w

I accepted Samuel's invitation.To my surprise, Matteo didn't leave Yurestia. Instead, he kept showing up in my orbit—whether I was in class, studying in the library, or working my part-time job.He told me he was going to win me back all over again.I ignored him. I truly had no intention of ever looking back.On the day of the book club meeting, Samuel came to pick me up at my dorm. Matteo was waiting outside too.Without a moment's hesitation, I walked straight toward Samuel.Seeing another guy by my side for the first time since he arrived in Yurestia, Matteo snapped. He rushed over and grabbed my arm. "Leah, who is this?"Before I could say a word, Samuel spoke up first. "Her suitor."Matteo froze.Taking the cue, I added, "Yes. We're about to make it official, so please keep your distance and stop bothering me."I took Samuel's hand, and we walked away together, only letting go once Matteo was completely out of sight."I'm so sorry about that. Thank you for covering fo