Chapter 6
Over time, Justin’s relentless persistence gradually wore down his parents. Step by step, they stopped pushing back. Eventually, they gave up entirely.
Following that, Uncle Richard and Aunt Evelyn decided to ignore the situation. They ignored everything, especially when it came to Justin and Stacey. They even went so far as to enroll them in some private university.
When I heard about it, I didn’t feel much. There was no shock, no anger–just a quiet sense of confirmation. I already knew the Becketts would do whatever it took to protect their golden boy.
But none of it changed my plan.
I still intended to file my report. I was done with the Becketts and wanted the paper trail to prove it.
Maybe they would walk away with little more than a slap on the wrist, but I had more important things to focus on now. I had bigger goals. I had a future waiting.
I refused to waste any more of myself in pursuit of justice that would never come.
…0
During my sophomore year, I made a quick trip home and walked straight into our high school reunion party.
When my best friend, Andrea, spotted me, she dashed over, practically buzzing with excitement.
“Rhian! Oh my god, did you hear? Justin and Stacey are engaged!“}
I blinked. “They’re what?“>
“They’re only sophomores!” Andrea squeaked.
Tfollowed her gaze.
And yep, there they were.
Justin sat back with Stacey practically molded to his chest. Her hair was dyed cotton–candy pink, and her micro–mini skirt barely hung on. She looked like she was headed to a music video shoot.)
And Justin?!
༥ ༢༠ ༢ ༠༤ –
Gone was the sharp, clean–cut guy I used to know. Now he wore an oversized graphic tee hanging off his frame, paired with tight, trendy jeans that didn’t suit him.
He had a fresh tattoo of Stacey’s initials in thick cursive on his neck.
Justin looked nothing like the guy I remembered.
Not even close.
“Thanks for the love, everyone!” Justin said, raising his drink and grinning like he was onstage. “We’ll definitely invite you all to the wedding!“>
He made a round of the table, clinking bottles, and downed his beer in one long gulp.
I watched him–casual, practiced. The kind of guy who could do keg stands with his eyes closed.
And for a moment, it really hit me.}]
In our last life, this exact time had looked so different. We were in labs late at night, fixing code, prepping experiments, and traveling to speak at academic panels.
Even when Justin drank, it was with quiet confidence and control.
Now??
He was loud, messy, and grinning like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Who even was he?
One of the guys nudged him and nodded toward me. “Yo, pretty sure Rhian’s been looking your way. Maybe she’s not thrilled about the engagement.“}
A girl across the table jumped in, smirking. “Yeah, honestly, half the class used to think you two were a sure thing. And Rhian’s been killing it.”
Her eyebrows scrunched as she tried to figure it out. “What is it now? Two years straight winning the National Research Fellowship at N.I.A.S.?”
She then turned toward me. “Kind of hard not to wonder, right? Justin, you don’t regret it at all?”
I froze. My heart gave one tiny, traitorous stutter.
The question was there, in plain sight, for both of us.
And part of me waited to hear what he’d say, no matter how much I hated it.0
Justin looked at me.
I was still in my usual sleek, clean–cut, and academic outfit.
The same ‘grandma chic‘ he used to tease me about.
And for just a second, something flickered in his expression. Something close to envy.
But then it was gone.
Justin snorted. “Regret it? Not a chance. Meeting Stacey opened my eyes. Life isn’t just books and test scores. There’s so much more out
Chapter 6
9:23 AM
there.”
He lifted his beer bottle in a mock toast.
0
“If I’d stuck with Rhian,” Justin added with a nod in my direction, “you think I’d be here tonight, drinking with all of you?”
Stacey shot me a smirk and raised one perfectly arched brow–a silent, smug little taunt.
I just smiled, turned to my best friend, and started picking at the fruit plate like nothing had happened.}
08:45
Right then, a sentimental pop love song began playing through the speakers that had blown up on Stream Pop last month.
Justin grabbed the mic and started singing along, eyes closed, his voice overly dramatic.
I rolled my eyes and nudged my friend. “I’m out.”
Outside, while we waited at the curb for our rides, a familiar voice called out from behind.
“Rhian. Long time no see.”}]
I turned around.
Justin leaned casually against the railing, grinning like he hadn’t been a total disaster ten minutes ago.
I raised a brow. “Need something?”
He gave a shrug, half–charming, half–awkward. “Nah, just thought maybe we could go back in. Grab a drink. Just us.”
A cherry–red sedan pulled up in front of me, perfectly timed.
I met his eyes and gave him a polite smile.
“I’m sorry, but I have a project deadline coming up. If you want to see me, you’ll need to schedule an appointment.“@
Justin’s smile twitched at the edges, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t quite find the words.}
I got into the car and didn’t look back.
