Chapter 3 Defamation
Getting into ski gear was a hassle. Since the slope used artificial snow, everyone had to bundle up, multiple layers to stay safe.
I glanced up without thinking and saw Aiden kneeling down, helping Selene into her ski boots.
“Look at that! Aiden’s so thoughtful,” someone whispered nearby. “It almost looks like he’s proposing.”
“Yeah, and then there’s Ms. Morgan over there, acting like a clown,” another voice added with a snort. “If I were her, I’d have quit already. How does she even show her face around here?”
I kept adjusting my gear, pretending not to hear.
Selene practically bounced with excitement, dragging Aiden toward the higher slopes. I didn’t follow–I already knew how to ski. I didn’t need a coach or the drama,
“Hi, you look like you have perfect form. Are you a pro?”
Just as I was steadying myself, a man appeared beside me, striking up a conversation. I shook my head and stepped back, trying to make space between us.
He didn’t get the message. Wherever I moved, he followed–clingy and persistent.
Even after we reached the restaurant for lunch, he was still glued to my side, chattering like we were old friends.
“Hey, Ms. Morgan, who’s this guy? Your boyfriend? Why haven’t you introduced him?”
His face flushed red. He glanced at me quickly and denied it quietly.
“You’ve got real charm, huh?” Selene chimed in with a saccharine smile. “Guys are always hanging around you. Not bad–whatever you’re doing, it works.”
Aiden sat beside her, slicing her steak, his expression dark and unreadable.
I excused myself and slipped away to the restroom. After washing my hands, I turned to leave–only to be slammed against the wall. Before I could react, a pair of lips crushed against mine in a fiercè, angry kiss.
Between ragged breaths, I heard him growl, voice low and tight.
“Esme, who was that guy?
“You two planned this, didn’t you? You hate the cold but agreed to go skiing to see him, right?”
I couldn’t break free. I had no choice but to endure his fury.
I didn’t understand. Why was he so angry? Maybe, deep down, he thought I didn’t deserve to move on. That I had no
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Chapter 3 Defamation
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right to happiness.
When I finally returned to the dining hall, my lips were bright red and slightly swollen.
No amount of lipstick could hide it.
“Ms. Morgan, what happened to your lips? Oh my, don’t tell me you had a little romance,” someone joked.
All eyes at the table turned to me. I didn’t flinch and said coolly, “I got bit. Don’t ask.”
Aiden still had traces of my lipstick at the corner of his mouth. Selene, remembering how we left the table one after the other, clenched her tightly hand under the table.
The party dragged on into the late hours, and people began to leave. My room number was right next to Aiden’s and
Selene’s.
In the elevator, Selene clung to Aiden like a cat, pouting and acting coy.
“Oh! I forgot Ms. Morgan was here. So sorry!” she said with a fake surprised look.
I let out a bitter laugh. Such a terrible act–anyone with eyes could see right through it. But Aiden believed every word.
“Hmm, it’s fine,” I replied coldly.
The chandelier lights flickered overhead as I hurried down the hallway, passing right in front of them.
Out of nowhere, Selene screamed–and I was shoved. Something heavy crashed down as I hit the floor, pain explod- ing through my side.
“Are you okay, Selene?”
Aiden rushed to her side, lifting her carefully and checking her knee, which was bleeding badly.
“Ms. Morgan, I have no grudge against you. Why would you want to hurt me?” Selene asked through clenched teeth.
I opened my mouth to explain–but froze when I caught Aiden’s icy glare.
His mind was made up. Whether I spoke or stayed silent–it wouldn’t matter.
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