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Simp No More
Simp No More
ผู้แต่ง: Chubbs

Chapter 1

ผู้เขียน: Chubbs
I was getting an IV drip at the hospital when Charles Mankin's text came in.

I had acute gastroenteritis, courtesy of his jealous little girlfriend from last night at the Hedo Lounge, who got me drunk out of spite.

"Rhyn wants ice cream from H.J. Desserts. Bring it to Hedo, Room 1808."

His voice on the call that followed was lazy, bored, trailing the sharp laughter of a girl in the background.

"I'm sick. On an IV," I said.

"If you're not dead, then get it done. Mindy, I'm saying this once—if I don't see you today, don't bother showing up again."

He hung up.

Just before the call cut, I caught someone on his end giggling, "Lucky Charles. I wish I had a dog that obedient."

I stared at my phone for a moment. The date blinked back at me from the screen. I sighed, looked up at the IV bag that had just been hooked above me, and then, in the nurse's startled gasp, yanked the needle out.

Before she could stop me, I'd slipped out of the hospital, flagged down the first cab I saw, and headed straight across town to H.J. Desserts—ten miles out, easy.

Charles had a gift for cruelty.

H.J. sat on one end of the city grid. Hedo was on the opposite end.

In the dead of winter, ice cream? I said a silent prayer for Rhyn not to catch a cold.

No one stopped me when I stepped into Hedo, dessert bag in hand. They all knew who I was by now.

Not that I liked what they called me.

Charles's lapdog.

I took the elevator up. Just as I pushed the door open a crack, I heard his voice from inside. "Mindy? She'll do whatever I tell her."

His tone was dry and distant, utterly devoid of emotion.

"Obedient as a dog. If it were you, would you throw something like that away?"

Laughter rippled through the room—those same people who'd mocked me at countless gatherings, now falling into easy agreement.

"Honestly, I'd keep a dog that loyal too."

I stood there, unmoving.

The conversation went on.

"Charles, aren't you afraid you'll push too far and she'll bolt one day?"

He chuckled, leaned in and pinched the cheek of the girl beside him. His voice dropped to something low and flirtatious.

"Dogs are loyal to the end."

More laughter.

"That said, Mindy's face is a prize. Body too. You've tasted her yet?" someone asked.

"Too dirty," Charles said casually, lighting a cigarette. "Would you screw a dog?"

And they all burst out laughing again.

It was in the middle of that laughter that I walked in, smiling as I met Charles's eyes.
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  • Simp No More   Chapter 16

    Inside the box, a familiar blue crystal pendant lay quietly.And with it, memories I thought long buried were suddenly set alight.After the accident, I had wandered to the rooftop of a tall building just off the street. Not because I had any particular thought in mind, only because I wanted a place with a view, somewhere silent, somewhere to be alone for a while."You were the guy on the rooftop that day?"It hit me all at once.I stared at Tyler, my mouth hanging open in disbelief.But he looked nothing like the boy I remembered.Back then, he was all angles and shadows—gaunt, hollow-eyed, worn out in a way that made him seem already halfway gone. Lifeless, almost.Tyler smiled softly and gave a small nod. "Yeah, that was me.""That year I was applying to college," he said. "My parents pushed me into business. I didn't want it. I never wanted it. My life felt like a marionette's—someone else always pulling the strings. I couldn't sleep for months. My mind started slipping in

  • Simp No More   Chapter 15

    There's something different about the streets of France in early winter.I was walking back to my apartment alone after class. The sound of hurried footsteps behind me made me tense. Instinctively, I quickened my pace.But whoever was behind me only closed the distance faster.Panic swelled in my chest. I broke into a run, turning corners without thinking, until I crashed into something—someone—solid and cool."I've been waiting forever," a man's voice murmured above my head, calm and low. "Took you long enough."He spoke in fluent, effortless French—clearly for the benefit of the people behind me.From behind, someone cursed under their breath and turned away, footsteps fading into the distance.Only then did I lift my head.The first thing I saw was Tyler's face. As cold and striking as I remembered, but thinner now, more worn. The disheveled stubble, the slight slump in his shoulders—he looked like a man who had lost things along the way."What are you doing here?" I asked,

  • Simp No More   Chapter 14

    "You're clever," Madam Mankin said, her voice low and tight, "but you should also know—only certain kinds of people are truly capable of keeping secrets."I raised an eyebrow, calm and unshaken."I wouldn't have come here alone unless I was ready," I said. "All the evidence is scheduled to be sent from a secure email. If I don't make it to my flight, it'll go straight to George. But if I get on that plane, it vanishes. For good.""And why should I believe you?" Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her emotions clearly pushing against the seams."Because you don't have a choice. You have to."I knew her weakness better than anyone. After a lifetime of manipulation, I understood what she valued most. It wasn't the police she feared. It was her husband, George Mankin.The moment he discovered who was truly behind the death of his beloved son, everything she built would crumble.This was a game neither of us could afford to lose."Who are you?" she asked, her voice low, eyes narrowing.

  • Simp No More   Chapter 13

    It was as if Charles were caught in the grip of some unfathomable, fatal dilemma.His expression faltered—confused, adrift."Mindy," his voice came from behind me, low and hoarse, "it shouldn't be like this. Even if you're in love with my brother... we look so alike. Why don't you feel anything for me at all?"I didn't stop walking. Didn't even glance back.A man like him—perhaps someone like him could live his whole life without ever truly understanding what love is.He had imprisoned himself in the past, wrapping it around him like a safety blanket, too afraid to see that it was already threadbare. But me—I wanted to move forward.Inside the inner hall, Madam Mankin was already waiting for me.She lifted her face slightly, then stroked the cross in her hand.When she heard my footsteps, her fingers paused."Mindy," she said gently, "I've always known... you were just a child back then. What happened—it wasn't your fault."I stared at her, expressionless. Not a flicker of em

  • Simp No More   Chapter 12

    Madam Mankin stepped out from the inner room.She glanced at Charles before turning to me."He called earlier to check in," she said. "I mentioned you'd be dropping by. So he came."I forced a dry and awkward smile but didn't respond.Madam Mankin, clearly sensing my reluctance, let the subject drop. Instead, she turned to Charles again. "I need to speak with Mindy about something. Go clean yourself up. Just look at you."I didn't spare him a glance. Without a word, I followed Madam Mankin toward the inner hall.We were just passing the couch when, for reasons I couldn't begin to understand, Charles suddenly lost it.He shot up from the sofa like something inside him had snapped. In a few long strides, he was beside me, eyes bloodshot and feral, like something wild and cornered.Before Madam Mankin could say anything, he grabbed my wrist and started dragging me toward the door."I need to talk to her," he said. "Just the two of us. Something private."The agreement had long s

  • Simp No More   Chapter 11

    I hadn't expected it to be Tyler who called me."You ran off again?" His voice crackled through the receiver, edged with accusation."Sorry, Dr. Ford," I said. "I'm just not the kind of patient who follows orders."The wind was howling around me, and the roar of waves crashing onto the shore must've reached him too, because he paused. I could almost hear him stiffen."Where are you? Are you at the beach? Mindy, don't do anything stupid. That bastard Charles isn't worth it. Listen to me—if you're even thinking about ending it all, I swear I'll destroy him. I'll make you regret it for the rest of your life, I—"He'd clearly misunderstood.There was a new panic in his voice now—hurried footsteps, the clatter of things knocked over, some object shattering somewhere near him.I quickly spoke up to calm him down. "Relax. I'm not going to do anything reckless. Dr. Ford, I think I may have given you the wrong impression last time. Maybe I wasn't clear. Whatever I'm going through, it's n

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