Chapter 6

That night, Jake returned to the apartment, his arm wrapped in bandages.

“Morg? Why are you back? Shouldn’t you get more rest at the hospital?” His tone was casual, as if what he said earlier that day never happened.

Morgan forced back a wave of agony and nausea, forcing herself to speak quietly. “I stayed with you all night… I was too tired. I came back to get some rest.”

Jake stepped closer, attempting to pull her into an embrace. His voice was tinged with self-pity, as if expecting her gratitude. “Look at how hurt I am for you. Don’t be mad at me anymore, okay?”

As he spoke, his hand wandered, trying to kiss her. However, Morgan pushed him away violently again.

For the first time, Jake’s expression darkened. “Morgan, I’ve coddled you over and over again. Isn’t that enough? Haven’t I made it up to you?”

“Is sleeping with me all you ever think about?” She choked, voice trembled with desperation.

“Of course not!” Jake replied instantly, his performance flawless. “It’s you I like! I like you as a person!”

Morgan looked at him and then laughed a bitter, tearful laugh. She said nothing after that, only meeting his gaze with a chilling, sorrowful stare. Jake felt a strange mix of guilt and anger under her eyes. Finally, with a cold snort, he grabbed his coat and slammed the door shut on his way out.

Knowing he would not return tonight, Morgan finally allowed herself a moment to breathe.

The next day at school, the president of the student union approached her. “Morgan, we’re having a barbecue this weekend. You have to come!”

Morgan hesitated. “I…”

“Don’t refuse!” The president grabbed her arm and lowered her voice. “And… why don’t you bring your boyfriend, Dean? His company is huge. A lot of us, seniors, are about to intern there, and we want to get on good terms with him. We wouldn’t even be able to approach him normally… You’re our only chance.”

Morgan knew that messaging Dean would probably get ignored, but those in the student union had always treated her well, so she steeled herself and sent a message anyway. To her surprise, Dean actually showed up at the weekend barbecue. Only… he was with Hazel, smiling gracefully beside him.

When he saw Morgan, Dean only gave her a brief, indifferent glance. His voice was calm and even. “I happened to be with Hazel when you messaged, so I brought her along.”

Morgan felt a sting in her chest, but she nodded silently.

Throughout the barbecue, Dean’s attention never left Hazel. The first pieces of grilled meat always went to her; he carefully trimmed the fatty parts, made sure her drinks had straws, and when a bit of sauce got on her lips, he casually wiped it away. It was meticulous, attentive care—the kind Morgan had never received.

She could not help but remember the past two years. As Dean was a pampered rich kid, she had always been careful, attending to his every mood, memorizing every preference, and accommodating every habit. She had even assumed he was naturally cold and distant.

Only now did she realize that he was not incapable of care or attention. She had just never been the person who could make him lower his guard willingly. She even saw Hazel subtly placing ingredients she did not like into Dean’s plate. He frowned slightly and then, astonishingly, ate them.

If Morgan recalled correctly, Dean had a serious aversion to eating food touched by others. Once, she accidentally served him something with her own utensils, and he had gone cold immediately, leaving the dish untouched. However, as it seemed, all his rules and habits could be broken with someone he truly liked.

Later, the group started playing a game of dares. The first loser was Hazel, and her punishment was to drink three shots of strong liquor. She hesitated, but Dean reached over and grabbed the glass before she could protest.

His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. “She can’t handle it. I’ll do it for her.”

Then, without flinching, he downed all three shots.

Later, Morgan lost as well. Her punishment was to eat a skewer of meat smothered in insanely spicy sauce. The heat burned her mouth so badly that tears streamed down her face, and she coughed uncontrollably. Instinctively, she looked at Dean, but he was so focused on talking to Hazel that his eyes never even flickered in her direction. Her heart went numb at that cold disregard.

Afterwards, everyone crowded around Dean to ask about internships, leaving only Morgan and Hazel sitting across from each other.

Hazel’s expression was smug. “Morgan, aren’t you Dean’s girlfriend? Yet during the whole party, he stayed by my side, not once looking at you.”

Morgan silently sipped her water.

“Honestly, I don’t know why he ever ended up with you,” Hazel continued, her tone sharp. “But as his girlfriend, you’re failing spectacularly. If it were me, I’d have taken a hint and left long ago. Look at you. Your intimate photos are all out in the open, and your family background… Well, it doesn’t even measure up in our circles. You think being perfect makes you great? What in the world makes you worthy of him?”

Morgan remained silent, as if she had not heard a word.

Seeing no response from Mogan, Hazel was about to say something when a waiter came over to replace the charcoal for the grill. Perhaps due to a slip, the tray tipped, and glowing coals spilled directly toward Hazel and Morgan.

“Ah!” Hazel screamed in terror.

In a flash, Dean lunged forward, pulling Hazel tightly into his chest and using his own back to shield them from the flying embers.