Chapter 3

It was a photo of me in cosplay at a convention.

I was dressed in women's clothing, wearing a long pink wig and a cute, ornate dress.

"Would a man dress like this? So how are you planning to explain it this time?"

Everyone's eyes instantly stabbed toward me.

My scalp prickled with panic.

"I'm an anime nerd. I like cosplay. Wearing women's outfits is normal in that circle. What does that prove?"

Evidence kept piling up, one piece after another.

Shirley, whom I'd only met once, had clearly come prepared.

She was setting me up.

But why?

Shirley scoffed.

"Cosplay? Yeah, right! With this many coincidences, who do you think people will believe? That you're a man, or that she's a woman?"

Before the crowd could even question me further, a group of reporters and influencers suddenly pushed their way in.

They carried cameras and held phones high, shoving forward as their lenses locked onto me.

"Your schoolmate is accusing you of abandoning a newborn and trying to dodge responsibility by confusing your gender. What do you have to say about that?"

"Who's the child's father? A sugar daddy, or your schoolmate's boyfriend? Did you really steal her man?"

"Your private life is a mess, and you abandoned a baby. Is that how a student is supposed to act? We need to call your parents. I fully support expelling you. Go home and take care of your kid instead of playing the social climber!"

The situation quickly spiraled out of control.

More and more filthy accusations flew at me like blades.

I had done absolutely nothing wrong, yet in an instant, I became everyone's target.

Theo tried to help me, but the crowd hunting me down shoved him straight out.

At that moment, Shirley, who had been relentlessly aggressive, suddenly softened her tone.

"Everyone, please go easy on her. No matter what happened, she's still a student. Her abandoned baby was found, and everything about her private life is out there now. Of course, she's scared and losing it. If she's willing to admit her mistakes, take responsibility as a mother, and raise the child properly, I hope everyone can give her a little grace."

As soon as she finished, praise erupted all around.

"See? That's what real class looks like. Even after the other woman had her boyfriend's baby, she still showed kindness. She's amazing!"

"Everyone, take a good look at this woman. Don't ever marry someone like her. You'll regret it for the rest of your life."

"Hey, Shirley's handing you a second chance. Why aren't you thanking her?"

Thank her?

If she hadn't been making things up on the fly, how would I have suddenly ended up with a baby and the reputation of some promiscuous homewrecker?

The accusation hit me like filth poured over my head.

But when enough people repeat a lie, it starts to sound like the truth.

Everyone believed only what they wanted to believe.

At this point, words were useless. I needed proof.

I turned to the police officer.

"Officer, I didn't abandon a baby. Please look at the evidence."

I took out my phone and pulled up my hospital records and payment receipts.

They showed that yesterday afternoon, I had undergone hemorrhoid removal surgery at a local medical center.

"I can barely move today. The blood on my pants is from my stitches splitting after the surgery. I didn't give birth. I couldn't have given birth."

Before the officer could say anything, Shirley let out a scornful laugh.

"Fake evidence, right? How much did you pay someone online for that? I could whip up a hundred records like this in a single day."

I swallowed my anger and met her gaze head-on.

"You say my evidence is fake. Then what proof do you have that this baby is mine?"