Chapter 04: The Cost of Blind Devotion

Elara let out a loud, cold, mocking laugh that cut through the room.

"Nothing? You actually expect me to believe that? I literally caught you two with my own eyes! The clothes were on the floor, Brandon! And you’re still standing in my apartment telling me there was nothing?"

Brandon scratched his head, looking mildly annoyed that his usual charm wasn't working.

"Listen to me, Elara. She seduced me. I was drunk, okay? I didn’t mean for it to happen. How could I possibly love someone like her? She's just a distraction."

He stepped closer, trying to project a look of pure sincerity.

"Look at you. You’re beautiful, smart and kind. Why would I ever permanently leave someone like you?"

Elara rolled her eyes so hard she was worried they might actually get stuck in the back of her head.

"Oh, really?" she sneered, crossing her arms tightly.

"So don’t tell me your damn brain suddenly stopped working and your body just accidentally tripped, fell, and cheated on me. Save the sob story."

Brandon’s forced smile instantly froze. His eyes darkened, his pride clearly wounded.

"Elara. I’m standing here trying to talk to you nicely, like adults. When did your mouth become so vulgar and bitter?"

Elara snorted, entirely unimpressed. She raised her arm and pointed a sharp finger directly towards the front door. "Get the fuck out. I don’t want to see your disgusting, lying face ever again."

Instead of turning to leave, Brandon’s face twisted into a desperate expression.

He suddenly lunged forward, throwing his arms around her waist and pulling her into a tight, suffocating hug.

Elara’s entire body went completely rigid with disgust. "What the hell are you doing?! Let me go!"

She began to struggle with all her strength. But Brandon was much larger and stronger than her. He barely moved, absorbing her frantic shoves as if they were nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

He completely ignored her thrashing, his voice suddenly bubbling over with an excited energy.

"Elara, stop fighting me for a second and listen! I have amazing news!"

She glared up at him, her face flushed with anger. "I don't care if you won the lottery! Unhand me!"

"I finally got the invitation!" he laughed happily, squeezing her even tighter.

"The invitation from Velmora Academy! I knew it! I really got accepted, Elara! It’s all thanks to you!"

The struggling Elara froze instantly.

The air left her lungs. Her hands stopped pushing against his chest, remaining suspended in the air.

"…What?" she whispered, her eyes widening in absolute, paralysing disbelief.

She slowly tilted her head back to look at his ecstatic face.

'Velmora Academy...'

For a terrifying moment, the betrayal, the hangover, and the memory of the hotel room completely vanished from her mind, replaced by freezing dread.

She completely forgot to struggle.

Elara was completely shocked. Her mind went blank, and only two words repeated in her head like a broken record: 'Velmora Academy.'

The bastard actually got into Velmora Academy.

She stood frozen in Ethan's tight embrace, her stomach turning to ice before a bitter, hollow scoff escaped her lips.

Of course he got in. He got in because of 'her'.

Over the past year, she had poured hours of her own time into his portfolio. She was the one who had researched, designed, and submitted multiple high-level projects under his name.

She had practically rewritten his academic papers, tutoring him and making him look far smarter than he actually was just so he could secure a competitive edge.

It was her brainpower, her sleepless nights, and her hard work that had built his resume from scratch.

She had been a truly dumb, blind fool. She had fallen for his sweet words and selflessly helped him, all so he could secure a coveted spot in the most prestigious institution in the country.

And what exactly was Velmora Academy?

It was the ultimate breeding ground for the elite. Every single person who graduated from its halls went on to secure a high-ranking position in the city, the state, or the government.

The alumni list was a roll call of high-class politicians, CEOs, and billionaires. It was the one place where a boundless, wealthy future was absolutely guaranteed the moment you stepped through the gates.

She had helped him because he had painted a beautiful picture of their future. He had told her that if even one of them managed to get inside, they would be set for life.

Elara had originally wanted to apply for herself. She had the grades, the graduation degree, and the talent.

But Ethan had discouraged her. He had subtly undermined her, saying that the academy wasn't friendly towards women and that very few female graduates were selected for the highest positions.

“What can a woman really do in a cutthroat environment like that?” he had asked smoothly. “If I get the opportunity, I can explore more doors. I’ll be chosen first, and then I can take care of you.”

And she, like a brainless fool, had believed him. She had handed her own dreams over to him on a silver platter.

But looking at his smiling face now, she felt a wave of deep, agonising regret. She wanted to throw up.

She looked at the invitation in his hand and desperately wished she could grab it and tear it into a thousand tiny pieces.

Lost in her own dark thoughts, Elara barely heard a word as Ethan continued rambling with pure happiness right in front of her.

He was so ecstatic, pacing around her small living room and gesticulating wildly about his grand future, completely oblivious to the fact that she was staring at him with pure hatred.

Finally, after rambling for what felt like an eternity, he checked his watch and stopped.

"Anyway, babe," Ethan said, his face twisting into an extremely loving expression as if they were still a perfect, lovey-dovey couple.

He reached out and stroked her cheek, completely ignoring her rigid posture.

"I have to leave for the campus tomorrow morning. So don't worry about me too much. I'll come back and meet you one last time before I officially board the transport."

He smiled warmly, acting as though the cheating scandal had never happened, completely confident that she would always be waiting in this shabby apartment to support him.

With a final, cheerful wave, the scumbag finally turned and walked out of her apartment, leaving Elara alone in the silence of her room.