LOGINThe scent of cigarettes filled the air, but I no longer cared. I was drowning in a chaotic sea of memories: his familiar gestures, those warm embraces, his large hand holding mine, gently and tenderly stroking it.
Was it all just an illusion?
I didn't know. I was dazed. I had cried so much that my nose was stuffed, my head throbbed, and my eyes were swollen shut.
Benjamin and I remained silent. I stayed on his bike, staring blankly into the distance, occasionally checking
"Alright, thank you so much.""Don't mention it. Get some sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow. I'm really worried about your health.""Yeah, see you at school tomorrow. Goodnight.""Goodnight."I hung up on Olivia. For some reason, her words had infused me with a surge of energy. I no longer felt resentful; instead, I was overflowing with confidence.I lay down on the bed, my heart fluttering slightly as I thought about tomorrow's plan. Olivia was right. I needed to pull myself together right now. I needed to be beautiful and radiant. From this moment on, I wouldn't allow myself to be the weak one at the mercy of others. I meant it.Despite my resolve, a small knot of sadness remained in my heart, along with lingering thoughts about the relationship between him and my aunt and the mysteries yet to be revealed.But whatever. Time would tell. Overthinking wouldn't provide the answers anyway. All my theories were just thoughts without eviden
"Alright, calm down. Calm down. This is messy. Since we don't know the truth yet, we can't just jump to conclusions. All we know for sure is that you saw him with your aunt and he bought her a necklace, right? Why don't you try to look at it differently? Since your father is close to him, it is normal for him to know your aunt. Maybe she has just returned after a long time, and he was simply buying a souvenir.""I want to think that way, Olivia, I really do. But I just can't. He was with her and forgot to pick me up, and then he turned off his phone when I called. He didn't text me until the middle of the night to say he was sorry. Just that one sentence.""Good heavens. Why are you so foolish? Everything needs to be clear. You should have asked him instead of keeping it all inside and guessing, only to make yourself miserable.""I couldn't say it. Just try being me for a second. After witnessing that scene, I go home to find no messages, then he texts in the mi
I cried until I was so exhausted that I fell asleep without even realizing it. I struggled to wake up, my head throbbing as if a hammer were pounding against it. I cradled my head in my hands and fumbled for my phone in the dark.I didn't quite understand why I wanted to find my phone the moment I woke up. I only knew that there was a hole in my heart and I wanted to fill it.It took me a while to find the phone on the nightstand. Even though my heart was aching, I still felt a flicker of nervous anticipation.This damn, broken heart.It was clearly hurting and full of despair, yet it still longed for a response from a certain someone. Just a simple apology would be enough to warm my heart again.I turned on the phone, the dim light casting a glow over my face. Was it only two in the morning? I thought it must be five or six by now.Why did I have to wake up at this lonely, restless hour?Damn it.I laughed at myself and looked
I looked at her with a calm expression. Truthfully, I was shocked, even stunned, but I buried those feelings deep inside. I didn't want to give her the satisfaction. Standing before her, looking like a disheveled drunk was humiliating enough.I bit my lip and forced a bright smile, though I knew it must have looked horribly distorted.My father's sister.I shifted my gaze to my father, catching the look of deep anxiety on his aging face. I kept smiling.What else was I supposed to do, cry? What expression was I even expected to wear in a situation like this?She was with him, and now she appeared in my home as my aunt. Someone I had never even met before.Oh, wow. The world is a joke, and God certainly knows how to mock me.Aunt Emma’s friendly smile faded, her elegant brows knitting together at my reaction.Good Lord, does she have to be that beautiful even when she frowns? If I were a man, I would surely rush to her sid
I was no longer afraid of Benjamin. Why should I be? Before, I had feared being close to him because I was afraid he would get jealous, and I knew I had to remain faithful. But what about now? He got jealous only to go off with another woman. Why should I hold back?I once told Benjamin that I didn't need anything in return from him. However, after this shock, I truly couldn't bear it. Was it because I had grown too accustomed to the happiness he provided? Had he spoiled me to the point of ruin?I couldn't stand the feeling that was tearing my soul apart, the sight of him with another girl. And they looked so good together.Oh, I was going mad.I took another sip of beer, even though it made my stomach churn, and I felt like it was ripping my throat open. I was just too exhausted. Let me be reckless just this once.With that thought, I took another gulp, feeling as though fate truly enjoyed playing cruel jokes on me."You are drunk. Let me t
The scent of cigarettes filled the air, but I no longer cared. I was drowning in a chaotic sea of memories: his familiar gestures, those warm embraces, his large hand holding mine, gently and tenderly stroking it.Was it all just an illusion?I didn't know. I was dazed. I had cried so much that my nose was stuffed, my head throbbed, and my eyes were swollen shut.Benjamin and I remained silent. I stayed on his bike, staring blankly into the distance, occasionally checking my phone to see if he had left a message or called me.But there was nothing. It was all hopeless.At times, a smile crept onto my lips, one of self-contempt. At others, I reached up and grabbed my messy hair, pulling at it violently.After finishing his cigarette, Benjamin got back on the bike behind me and revved the engine. I had no idea where he intended to take me. I simply didn't care about anything anymore."Don't worry, I'm taking you to blow off some steam.
Lily’s words didn't bother me at all. She and I had nothing to do with each other, and I hadn't even wanted to enter this competition in the first place.With that thought, I quickly brushed the encounter with Lily from my mind.That afternoon, as usual, Benjamin and I went to
The moment the photo shoot concluded, the dance instructor stepped into the room.Today, we were learning ballroom dancing.My heart skipped a beat as I realized that Benjamin would be my partner.This couldn't be happening. My brain immediately flooded with various images of
I was overjoyed. I practically flew to his side, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him into a tight embrace."Did you come to pick me up? Aren't you too busy with work to be here?""Not too busy for this. Whenever I have a free moment, I’ll come for you."He
"Huh?" I started, my eyes snapping toward Benjamin.Benjamin interlaced his fingers and avoided my gaze."I’m sorry for my excessive behavior yesterday."My eyelid twitched. I was a bit surprised that he was the one apologizing first, so I gave him a dismissive smile to







