As a child, Alec’s mother abandoned him at an amusement park. He spent some time in an orphanage, where he met a bright, cheerful little girl.
She shared a bed with him and gave him a piece of candy.
She became the only light in his otherwise dark life.
That light was Linda.
And on her very first day as a transfer student, Alec recognized her immediately.
He believed every word Linda said about me bullying her, harboring a deep hatred for me ever since.
But because of his status as an illegitimate child, Alec had no choice but to swallow his pride and curry favor with me.
He needed our marriage to solidify his position in the family.
Thinking of this, I said coldly, “Let’s break up.”
His eyes widened suddenly. “Why? Give me a reason, Sierra.”
I pulled out a tissue and carefully wiped the part of my cheek where his touch lingered.
“I don’t want to date the son of a mistress. It feels dirty. Is that reason good enough?”
…
After leaving, Rachel nervously asked if I had been possessed.
I wasn’t surprised by her question.
After all, back in high school, I was so openly and passionately in love with Alec.
I’d wait for him after school every day so we could walk home together.
I’d bake cookies for him until my hands were covered in burns, still smiling as I handed them over.
My affection for him was so obvious that the whole world knew.
But things were different now.
The Sierra Wood who had just started her senior year of high school was already dead.
Standing here now was a reborn Sierra Wood, stronger and sharper.
…
For the rest of the day, Linda didn’t show her face again.
I knew her well enough. Her greatest pride was that flawless face of hers. If she couldn’t make full use of it, she wouldn’t act so easily.
I had all the patience in the world to wait.
Soon, Saturday arrived, marking my eighteenth birthday.
