I'd been so consumed with everything else that I almost forgot—I was still a student.
A high school senior in the final stretch of my fourth year, hanging by a thread.
It wasn't until a notice from one of my teachers arrived, summoning me back to school, that I remembered.
How long had I been absent? Days? Weeks? I couldn't recall, and frankly, I didn't care.
I was on the verge of being expelled anyway. It was inevitable, just as much as the fact that I wouldn't be finishing high school. I had bigger plans.
In six months, I'd be gone, my old life left behind.
Still, the thought of my school reaching out to my parents now was a hassle I couldn't afford.
Sullivan and Sophia were too wrapped up in their own affairs to even notice I existed at the moment, but that could change.
Sophie had probably already told them about my extended absence, her way of making sure that I was monitored.
But even with that, they didn't care. They didn't care if I showed up for classes or vanished into thin air.
I was a footnote in their lives.
Yet I couldn't push my luck. Sullivan may not care about me personally, but my reputation was another story.
If that started to crumble, he would intervene, and I couldn't afford that—not when I was so close to my goal.
I was on the brink of securing everything I'd worked for. Hundred Millions were within reach, and I couldn't have Sullivan breathing down my neck, ruining it all.
No, I couldn't let them drag me back into their world, not when I was on the verge of breaking free.
Not when my real life was just beginning.
A knock on my door broke the silence, signaling that Sophie was already outside, waiting for me.
I barely glanced at myself in the mirror. Just a plain white shirt, some jeans, and my Dior tote slung over my shoulder. That would do. No need to impress anyone. Not anymore.
When I opened the door, Sophie stood there, dressed as impeccably as ever in a flowing white sundress that accentuated her perfect, doll-like features.
Even in her so-called disguise as a maid, she made sure to maintain her polished image, carefully curating how the world saw her—while secretly tarnishing mine.
And now here I was, walking into school like nothing had happened, like I wasn't still the punchline of some cruel joke.
As I made my way down the hall, I could feel the eyes on me, hear the whispers growing louder with every step.
"She asked Cole to dance, and he dismissed her away."
"Can you believe she actually thought he'd say yes? Just because they're engage?"
"It was pathetic. She just stood there, frozen, like a deer in headlights."
"Doesn't she get it? Cole never like her. The marriage thing, I'm sure it just their family."
The words cut deep, each one like a knife twisting in my gut. Not because of the embarrassment but because I feel bad for my past self.
I kept walking, head held high, refusing to let them see how much it hurt. Refusing to let them solicit a reaction from me.
I wasn't the same girl I used to be. I wasn't the naïve, desperate girl who believed in fairy tales and happy endings.
I was someone else now. Someone stronger. Someone colder.
And I'd show them.
All of them.
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|| A/N ||
Hey everyone!
Apologies for the recent erratic update schedule—things have been pretty busy on my end. But don't worry, regular chapters will resume starting October 1st, just in time for the MGS!
Please continue supporting the story with Power Stones, Golden Tickets, reviews, comments, and gifts. Your support keeps the story alive and means the world to me! ????
P.S. There won't be any updates this weekend as I'll be traveling. But rest assured, we'll be back to regular updates next month. Thank you all for your patience and understanding!