Chapter 2
When Larissa learned that her cherished student had finally changed her mind, her voice was filled with relief.
“You’ve finally come to your senses–thank goodness! Your grades are outstanding, and this study–abroad opportunity is the only one available in the entire school. How could you just give it away?”
She continued, “Make sure to prepare thoroughly–you’ll be leaving the country in 15 days.”
Maddie nodded, picked up a pen, and marked the departure date on her calendar.
Coincidentally, 15 days later was Andy’s birthday.
She went to her closet and pulled out a men’s suit she had designed. For the last three months, she had stayed up late every night to create and perfect it, intending it as a handcrafted birthday gift for him.
She had initially decided to forgo the chance to study abroad so she could be with him for years to come.
But now, it seemed pointless.
With this realization, a bitter smile crossed Maddie’s lips. She threw the suit into the trash.
Afterward, she took a hot shower and crawled under her blankets, falling into a deep sleep.
Likely due to being caught in the rain, her body temperature continued
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to rise.
The alternating extremes of cold and heat made her sweat, despite the chill. Her mind felt foggy, as if under the weight of a mountain.
In a state between sleep and wakefulness, she heard her phone ring multiple times but remained trapped in a nightmare, unable to open her
eyes.
Just before sunrise, someone rushed into the room and shook her awake.
“Ms. Patter, wake up! Mr. Loreine wants me to take you somewhere,” the voice said.
Maddie forced her eyes open to see Andy’s assistant standing there.
Fighting through the discomfort, she got up and changed.
The assistant drove her to the entrance of a clubhouse and then departed.
Maddie held onto her clothes firmly and navigated her way to the VIP booth, where energetic voices echoed.
“It’s been an hour. Why hasn’t Maddie shown up yet? Even if she got into a car accident and isn’t feeling well, you’ve called her multiple times and sent someone to pick her up. Her delay is so childish!”
“She’s just a plaything you keep for amusement. Acting sweet occasionally is endearing, but throwing fits like this is ungrateful. Andy, you need to stop indulging her. If you allow this spoiled behavior, she’ll forget her place!”
“Exactly. After Crystal left, you drowned yourself in alcohol day and night and took up with this kept woman as a distraction. Maddie
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wouldn’t have entered our circle otherwise. You’ve been pampering her for four years. Now that Crystal’s back, when are you going to cut ties with this burden?”
Andy sat upright in the main chair, the light casting shadows over his distant, cold face, which made his voice seem even more indifferent.
“I’ll deal with my own matters. Why is everyone in such a hurry?”
“We’re just concerned about you and Crystal! You waited seven years for her. Now that she’s finally returned, don’t use Maddie to upset her. If you drive her away again, you’ll regret it deeply!”
“You’ve never deleted those photos with Crystal, even after all these years. You constantly look at them, secretly travel abroad to check on her, and go to great lengths to get her favorite things and send them to her…”
Each word stabbed Maddie’s heart like a needle, leaving her with deep, throbbing pain.
From beginning to end, she had merely been a tool for him to distract himself and provoke Crystal.
As she turned to leave, Crystal returned from the restroom and blocked her path.
Crystal grabbed Maddie’s wrist with one hand, pushed open the booth door with the other, and smiled at the room.
“What’s all the fuss about? So lively that it scared away the sister Andy invited over.”
At their appearance, the group fell silent, turning their attention to Andy.
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He glanced up, briefly introduced them by name, and gestured for Maddie to come over.
“Looks like the car accident wasn’t too bad. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
Maddie, keeping her emotions in check, silently moved to his side.
“Just a minor scrape. I took some medicine, fell asleep, and didn’t hear the phone. What’s going on so late?”
Noticing her unusual quietness and lack of reaction, Andy was a bit
surprised but didn’t push further.
“Nothing important–just wanted you to join the fun.”
Maddie experienced a stabbing sensation in her heart.
Was Andy inviting her just for amusement, or to stir up Crystal?
Earlier, Crystal had attempted to bribe her to stay away from Andy, gearing up for their reunion.
Now, Andy was using her to irritate Crystal, hastening their patch–up.
In their romantic struggle, she was merely a pawn.
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