Chapter 2

His figure slowly merged with his younger self from three years ago. I got lost in the reverie.

When I had just returned home one night, Courtney got some gangsters to stop me in the alley.

The moment they laid their hands on me, I did not cry or shout. Instead, I sank my teeth into the leader's index finger and bit it off.

After being hit and scolded by Courtney's biological mother, Helen Smith, for many years, I knew all too well that begging for mercy would not help.

When I was thrown against the wall, a boy stood before me.

He grabbed my hand and ran with me. "If you couldn't fight them, why didn't you shout for help?"

He was like a moon that gently shone down on me.

For the first time, I realized there was a third option besides taking the beatings and fighting back: asking for help.

Hence, when Kyle asked if he could be my desk mate so I could tutor him, I agreed without any hesitation.

His results improved, and everyone tried to guess the reason behind this wealthy young man's change.

I once heard him mumbling in his sleep.

"Lily, I want to have a future with you."

In contrast to those words, he was exposing my scars to everyone for Courtney.

When my eyes teared up, he softened his tone and jangled the keys in his hand.

"I bought an apartment near Southvale University put it in your name. You can do your revisions there, and I'll be there with you.

"It's just one year. Don't make such a big deal out of it."

My mother nodded in satisfaction. "You're a great man, Kyle. I really don't know what you see in Lily…"

I snatched the keys and threw them at his face.

"Is that going to be my house, or is it going to be a love nest for you and Courtney?"

He grabbed the keys tightly. His eyes were filled with fury after I exposed his true intentions.

Just as he was about to say something, my mother's phone rang.

The atmosphere immediately changed.

His gaze immediately softened. "Courtney's done with her examinations. I'm going to give her these flowers. You should reflect on your own actions."

After they turned around and left, the staff members took down the backdrop. The previously bustling examination hall became completely deserted.

My phone started ringing and cut the silent tension in the air.

"Ms. Anderson, you've received guaranteed admission to the Federal Institute of Defense Technology. A closed training program begins in three days, ahead of the regular term. Are you available to attend?"

The two plane tickets in my arms were damp with tears. They had been for the graduation trip I planned to take with Kyle in three days, but now, the remaining ticket had become my way out.

I tore his ticket into pieces and said softly, "Yes, I'll be there."

After I returned home, the nanny started mocking me.

"You really think you're some pampered young lady now? Courtney's their the true heiress. Your room is worse than the helpers' rooms."

The tiny attic contained all my belongings.

I only had one photograph. It was of me and the female police officer in crutches, Sloan Scott, who had saved me from that village.

Her leg had been broken while she was rescuing me.

I chose to go to the National Defense University because they promised to transfer Sloan to the military hospital. On top of that, they would help me rent a place near the university.

Just as I was about to head to the hospital, Courtney sent me a video.

At the class reunion, someone was teasing Kyle.

"Kyle, why are you late? You only got close to Lily because of Courtney. Have you fallen in love with her?!"

My hand tightened on my suitcase handle.

"Kyle's charming. You've managed to make that nerd, Lily, miss her examination!

"The entire school watched the act of you pretending to talk in your sleep and confessing your love to Lily. That silly girl was the only one who didn't know the truth!"

Kyle sounded irritated.

"She doesn't belong in the same world as us. She should be grateful that I'm using her as practice."

My hand trembled as I turned off the screen.

My eyes were filled with tears. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying.

The next second, someone kicked my door open.

My father's roar was deafening.

"Kyle said you're the only one who had touched Courtney's bouquet!

"What did you do to give her an allergic reaction?

"She's going to take her graduation photo soon! Are you planning for her to live in your shadow forever?!"