INICIAR SESIÓNI almost laughed. The irony of that sentence, in this room, in front of Lucy and me, from his mouth specifically—it was almost too much.What surprised me more, though, was the chorus of voices rising now. These same classmates; I remember them clearly. Back then, some were watching with amusement, others walking away like it had nothing to do with them.And now…they are telling her to stop.So what changed?Had they really grown up? Outgrown the cruelty they once wore so easily?Or were they just protecting themselves now—afraid that the truth might resurface, that they had in one way or the other participated in bullying during their high school days. And now, they had something on the line—a polished lives, that might get ruined if such rumours were out?I scanned their faces. Eyes flickered. Shoulders shifted. Gazes dropped the moment they met mine.A soft scoff slipped past my lips.As I realized… they hadn’t changed. Not really.They’d just learned how to hide it better.And
I turned. Toward where the voice just came from. Only to see her waking through the door, her arm wrapped around Alexa’s. A huge mixture of smug and smile on her face as she walked closer.And my hand tightened around my bag. Anger surging through me. Memories of years ago, flooding back.But despite everything, despite her smile, the way she walked, the way she carried herself… I could tell something never change in her. "Bitter?" One of our former classmates whose name was Sam, let out a short laugh. "Phina, building a company from scratch isn't as sways as you think. Not everyone can do it."Phina scoffed. "And what exactly do you even know about owning a company? It’s not as if your parents have one or you inherited one."“You…”"Yes, that’s right. Or am I lying?” Sam face flushed with humiliation and he angrily went back to his seat.And looking at Phina, I think she had done a background work on each of us, to know how we have been living all these years. She seems to be wel
I scoffed.Disgraceful? A common street woman?Then what would we call his and Flora’s action?Another message came in,“But… after thinking about it, I realized few of your words are right. I have been totally unfair to you recently.”My brows lifted slightly, not in surprise, but in disbelief.Unfair?Was that the only thing he think it was?The word felt almost laughable.“I know you were drunk, but you said what was on your mind. So I’ve decided to make it up to you. I’ll start treating you better from now on.”I stared at the message over and over again. What’s wrong with him? Is he the same Clyde?“But for us to start over, you’ll have to do something for me. Because I’m still angry about the way you speak to me last night. It was rude. And uncultured. A well mannered wife should not speak to her husband like that! That alone is one of the major reason for divorce. But…I am some with a bigger heart.”Bigger heart?I let out a dry laugh.Fine let’s hear it. The real reason.
My mind drifted back to our high school days. Back to those mornings when it was just the two of us—each other’s only comfort. Every single day, we would linger for a few minutes outside the school gate, staring at the building as fear gnawed at us. And yet… we always went in. Only to face the same thing. The whispers. The mocking. The bullying. It all started with Lucy. Then I transferred to their school, and everything changed. I still remember the first time I saw them—Phina and Alaric. Rich, untouchable, and cruel. They had Lucy cornered with their lapdog, telling her to tell them how her room looked and how the orphanage food tasted. They mocked her. Pour some kind of perfume on her, claiming she reeks of some bad smell. Watching all that, I couldn’t hold it. So I didn’t even think. I just stepped in. Announcing to them all that there’s nothing wrong in growing up in an orphanage. That I also did. Many of them were shocked to hear that. They all think I had some c
The morning sun slipped through, and I groaned, dragging a pillow over my face and pressing it down as if I could smother the light out of existence.Then I heard a familiar voice, "Good morning." Lucy.And I wondered what on earth was she doing here this early?"Why are you here so early," I muttered, face still buried in the pillow.But she gave a soft laugh as if I had just said something ridiculous. Well, there’s no harm in being here, but by this time…"Lottie.""Mm.""It's past noon."I froze.Then I yanked the pillow off my face and instantly regretted it as a sharp headache slammed into me as the light stabbed straight through my eyes. It felt like something inside my skull was trying to claw its way out. With a groan, I shoved the pillow back over my face, pressing it tight."I always knew you’re a bad drinker, but I didn’t realize you lose your memory afterwards. Is this something new?"Lose memory?What’s she talking about?I frowned beneath the pillow and then, slowly,
“What?! Thirty billion!”“Oh my goodness, is that really Sinclair heiress?!”“No way…I heard they are filthy rich but 30 billion dollars?!”Flora’s face drained of color. Her lips parted, but no words came out. Beneath her mask, her eyes stared at me in shock. While the murmuring around us kept growing louder;“I can’t believe she just did that to the heiress.”“Who does she think she is!”“The Sinclair family is the second most affluent family in the country, and now she’s offended her.”“The Wellington family’s good days are finally coming to an end.”Hearing all that only made Clyde more scared and his voice quickly turned cold and commanding.“Apologize.”Flora blinked, as if she had not heard him properly, her head snapping toward Clyde. “What?”“I said apologize to her right now,” Clyde repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.Flora’s fingers clenched tightly at her sides.“Clyde’s, it’s me. Why will I apologize ....”“That doesn’t matter,” Clyde cut her off sharply. “You







