The Lie of My Childhood Friend

The moment I heard the truth, my heart trembled violently.Over the past month, Lena Shaw had been beaten up or falsely accused countless times.I had tried my best to help her avoid harm, but there were always moments I failed.Unable to endure it any longer, I suggested that we should transfer schools.At the time, Lena had just been splashed with ice water, her delicate face pale and pitiful, and she helplessly grabbed my hand.“Harry, I don’t want to go to a strange place alone.”Lena and I had been childhood friends—we had gone to and from school together since nursery, and that had never changed for more than 10 years.Besides, I had secretly admired her in my heart.So in a moment of impulse, I promised her, “Don’t be afraid. Wherever you go, I’ll go with you.”But until now, I finally learned that everything she did had been a carefully staged act just to drive me away.I couldn’t help but wonder—did Lena hate me that much?The voices in the private room continued, “

The next day, I took the new application form to school to get it stamped.Watching that bright red seal marking my departure land steadily on the paper, my heart suddenly felt hollow for a moment.I stood there dazed, and someone stepped in front of me.Lena frowned slightly.“Harry, did you change the password to your front door? After I walked Michael home yesterday, I immediately went to find you, but the door wouldn’t open at all…”I cut her off and said simply, “Yeah, I changed it.”She looked a little displeased and asked, as if nothing had happened and we were still close, “What’s the new password? So I can go take care of you at your place.”I answered calmly, “No need. After the transfer, I won’t be living there anymore.”Lena looked at the folded application form in my hand, as if suddenly remembering it. “I completely forgot about that.“Don’t worry, Harry. I’ll come get it stamped tomorrow.”Moments like walking and chatting with Lena had grown increasingly rare

I hadn’t spoken yet when Laura’s voice drifted over. “Harry, why don’t I take you to get familiar with your new school first?”She looked innocent, as if she were simply warm-hearted.Lena’s voice rose sharply. “Harry, are you with Laura? Where the hell are you?”I held the phone a little farther away and, for the first time, found Lena’s voice grating.“What does where I am have to do with you?”Lena seemed not to hear me, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Just to spite me, you actually went to find Laura? To get back at me, you’d even go to someone that low-class and vile, you…”Seeing her words grow harsher and harsher, I lost patience and snapped, “Shut up!”Taking a deep breath, I said firmly and without hesitation, “Lena, you’re the one who’s the most disgraceful.”At last, I had returned those words to her.“Don’t call me again—everything between us ends here.”After saying that, I hung up quickly and blocked and deleted the number as well.The world finally quietened

The company headquarters was in the same city, so I simply drove home to pick up some documents.My mom had wanted me to live comfortably, so back then she bought a small villa with a garden.I pushed open the gate, but while entering the passcode, I was startled.There was actually someone sitting in the corridor by the door.She turned her head, and what met my eyes was a pair of swollen, red-rimmed eyes.I frowned. “Lena? How did you get in?”Then I suddenly noticed her bruised, purplish knees, and my expression tightened. “You climbed over the main gate to get into my house? Are you out of your mind?”The person who had remained silent just stared straight at me before abruptly speaking. “Harry, you’ve lost weight.”I had no idea what she wanted with that baffling small talk, so I turned around and was about to leave.But she suddenly lunged forward and hugged me.I flung her off and wiped my arm in disgust.“Lena, have some self-respect.”She let out a low laugh. “What

After we finished giving statements at the police station and came out, it was already very late, so I simply took Laura back to my place.The next morning when I opened my eyes, breakfast had already been set out in front of me.I leaned lazily against the doorframe, watching the person seriously washing the dishes. “So domestic?”“Since I didn’t have a title yet, of course I had to be a little domestic to leave a good impression on my partner.“Otherwise, what if he got mad and didn’t want me anymore?”I scraped the tip of her nose, listening to her complaining and teasing.I felt helpless, recalling how my friends had stared at Laura with blatant gossiping faces when we left last night.While casually scrolling through my phone, my eyes landed on a piece of news, and I laughed.“If you want a title, here it comes.”The headline that shot to the top of the trending list was bolded in big letters.“The heir of the Chase family behaved improperly and seduced a married woman.”