MasukSeven years passed in the blink of an eye.According to the text message I had received from that unknown number all those years ago, today was supposed to be my wedding night with Winona—the night I was supposed to become the laughingstock of the entire city.But now, I stood on the stage at the National Center for the Performing Arts, holding the trophy for Young Scientist of the Year.The auditorium erupted in applause. Sitting front and center in the first row was Evelyn. She wore an elegant, perfectly tailored gown, and as she looked up at me, her eyes were filled with unmistakable pride.A year ago, with both our families there to witness it, we got engaged.She never clipped my wings. Instead, she became the partner who would fly beside me toward an even greater sky.After the ceremony, I received a screenshot from one of my former high school classmates. It was about Winona and Benjamin. Neither of them finished college. Winona was expelled after repeatedly skipping c
My mom, Elena Whitmore, was the one who answered the door. "Mrs. Hamilton, where's Hector? Is he sick? Is that why he didn't show up for registration?" Winona was drenched in sweat, her eyes frantic with worry.My mom looked at the girl she had once treated like a daughter. Whatever affection she had once felt was gone. All that remained in her eyes was disappointment and disgust."Winona, you can stop looking for him." Her voice was calm. "Hector flew to Kingswell three days ago. Today is the first day of classes at Kingswell University."Winona froze as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her mind went completely blank."No… That's impossible. It can't be," she murmured, shaking her head. "He promised. He promised me…""Promised you what?" Mom's voice was cold. "That he'd throw away his future and stay here while you slept with another man?" She didn't hold back. She tore away the last shred of Winona's excuses. "Winona, don't come to our house again. We don't want you br
That same afternoon, Benjamin stormed into my house. His usual laid-back, harmless facade was gone. He looked like a man on the verge of losing control, his eyes fixed on the bright red Kingswell University acceptance letter sitting on my desk."Hector Hamilton, you played me!" His voice was thick with rage. "You said you left the entire last section of the exam blank! You said you were going to that local state university with us! So why did you lie to me?"Watching him fall apart, I felt nothing but satisfaction. "Why can't I lie to you?" I met his furious gaze without flinching. "You two were perfectly happy lying to me behind my back. Why shouldn't I be allowed to keep a backup plan for myself during the exam?" Benjamin's face instantly went pale. At last, he understood. I had known everything all along. With his carefully constructed mask finally shattered, he stopped pretending. "Fine! Yes, I was involved with her! So what?"Benjamin suddenly burst out laughing. Y
On the last day the college application portal was open, Benjamin came to my house.The moment he walked through the door, Benjamin reached out to clap me on the shoulder, but I stepped aside before he could touch me."Hector, I heard you and Winona had a fight."He put on the concerned expression of a worried friend."Winona's been getting drunk at home these past few days. She won't even fill out her college applications. What happened between you two? Is this because I went to Westland? Did that upset you?"Watching him put on such a convincing act, I couldn't help sneering inwardly. He probably had no idea I'd already been to that hotel. Winona, the coward, obviously hadn't told him the truth. She'd probably only told him that we were breaking up."Nothing. I just got tired of it." I sat down at my computer, keeping my tone indifferent. "What did you come here for?" Benjamin's expression darkened for a split second when he saw how cold I was toward him, but he quickly put
The confident, carefree smile on Winona's face froze. Slowly, it began to crumble. "W-What are you talking about?" Her voice wavered. "Hector, did someone tell you something?" She was still trying to deny it, but her eyes darted nervously around the room. She couldn't even bring herself to look me in the eye.Watching her put on such a shameless performance made my stomach turn. "Do you want me to remind you exactly what you said?" I took a step back, putting some distance between us. When I spoke again, my voice was ice-cold."Only you can give me this kind of excitement. Hector is too proper. He's always acting like some kind of saint."I held her gaze, saying, "Those were your words, Winona." The color drained from her face. "When you were lying in that cheap motel bed, making those comments, did you ever stop to think about everything we'd been through together?" It was as if every ounce of strength suddenly left her body. Her face went pale, and she stumbled to
"Are you seriously blaming me right now?" Winona snapped at Benjamin before turning to me with a helpless look. "Hector, we're about to go through security. If we cancel the tickets now, we'll lose money on the cancellation fees." She sighed and reached for my suitcase. "I have an idea. Just look up the next flight to Westvale on your phone and book it. Benjamin and I will fly ahead, check into the hotel, and wait for you there. Okay?" I stared at her, and suddenly, the whole situation struck me as absurd. I wasn't even angry. "Don't worry about it." I stepped away from her outstretched hand. Winona froze. "What do you mean?" An announcement came over the speakers, calling passengers to board. Winona immediately grew anxious. She glanced toward the gate, then back at me. "Hector, stop sulking. Just book the next flight. When you get there, I'll buy you that collectible figure you've always wanted. Consider it an apology." Before I could respond, she seemed to reali







