Chapter 2

Just then, Frank grinned as he stared at the Chain of Fortune. "Hey, nice bracelet! Seven different diamonds too—it must be worth six figures, no? Zac sure is generous!"

Mandy read between the lines and promptly purred at him, "Oh, Frank—you can have it if you like it! I'm no gold digger, and our love is worth much more than this bracelet!"

Hearing that, I clenched my knuckles.

How two-faced—rejecting my confession and then handing off my gift to a jerk like Frank!

What did she take me for?!

Frank eyed me with a smug grin as he reached for the bracelet, but I moved before he could snatch the Chain of Fortune out of Mandy's hands.

Mandy was at once upset and snapped loudly, "What are you doing, Zac?! Give it to Frank now!"

"Why?" I retorted coolly. "I spent six figures on this."

"You're such a tightwad and despicable!" Mandy hollered. "You gave it to me, so it's mine! I can then decide who I give it to, and it's none of your business!"

I laughed despite myself.

I was a tightwad and despicable?

The audacity! Everything she was wearing—even her bags and the cosmetic products in it—had all come from my money!

There was also her school fees, rent, and utility bills!

Worst of all, she would also lie to me for more money, and then give it to Frank!

Did she think I wouldn't know?

In my last life, I had allowed it and never took offense because I loved her more than myself, even though she treated me with insignificance.

But this time, I wasn't playing to her tune!

However, I didn't argue despite my rage, even forcing myself to stay calm and smile. "Sorry, Mandy—I was being rash, but the bracelet is just a replica. It isn't worth a lot of money, so it's no good for you, let alone Frank!"

Mandy was stunned, but she soon snapped, "You're impossible! To think I trusted you, only for you to give me cheap rubbish! I almost got Frank upset too!"

I had to lower my gaze to hide my glee. "Yeah, it's all my fault. Your love for Frank is priceless, so I'll buy you a designer bracelet in a few days as an apology!"

Mandy giggled right then. "Now that's better! At least you have a conscience, or I won't be talking to you for the rest of my life!"

And with that, she linked arms with Frank and left, strutting like a proud peacock.

There were sighs echoing all around as the crowd dispersed, while I looked up, taking a deep breath.

However, I was also smiling coolly.

'Mandy and Frank, you pigs… Don't even dream of manipulating me again!

'Today's just the start, as your comeuppance shall come, one after the other!'

-

After gym class, Mandy brought her best friend, Alice King, along.

The latter was haughty as ever as she demanded, "Oh, Zac, get us some drinks already. It's scorching hot—can't you see that Mandy is thirsty? Remember, it's two bottles. Now hurry up!"

I paused as I remembered.

In the two years I was smitten with Mandy that I would obediently bring her drinks and snacks like a slave.

It went without saying that the same went for breakfast and lunch, along with fruits and expensive coffee.

Such was the daily life of the obsessed, every single day for two years!

Worse of all, I had to bring two portions every single time, as Alice was eligible for free stuff too.

One way or the other, I was simply so crazy for Mandy that I would slave myself away for the people around her, hoping for them to put in a good word for me.

However, doing that never helped.

If anything, Alice was an ingrate through and through, always inspiring Mandy with worse ideas.

She would also always badmouth me, calling me stupid and delusional while taking free stuff from me all the time.

It was simply true what they said: birds of the same feather flocked together.

But Alice had gotten so used to taking advantage of me that she deluded herself too.

I didn't move as I glared at her coolly in turn.

Seeing that, Mandy snapped at me in cool displeasure, "Are you deaf? Remember—it's that expensive orange juice you always buy!"

For two years, she had gotten used to everything I did for her and convinced herself it was her right.