Chapter 1X
“Congratulations, you are accepted to study fine art with us. See you in Melbourne in a month ”
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. My mind wandered to my graduation day
king in the sun
Instead of standing beside me, cheering me on, my boyfriend, Lea Robbins, had been thousands of miles away, soaking
A bouquet of flowers and a neatly folded envelope containing a cash gift had arrived in his place.!!
Even when I argued, he would simply answer, “It’s just graduation, Lucy. But I have an important meeting with my client in Bali. So, please, you should understand.”
Understand? That word tasted bitter. I had spent years understanding him, but not anymore
Last night, I saw Sara’s post on Instagram if she was still having fun with Leo and others in Bal
Even though it was not only the two, but on the third slide of photos, there was a scene where Sara was sitting on Leo’s lap, her arms draped around his shoulders, her lips pressed against his.X
It was not just a kiss between friends–it was deeper, messier.!!
As if the devil possessed him, Leo’s hands gripped her waist possessively, and worst of all, his arousal was obvious even through his swim pants
Was this supposed to be a meeting with the client?8
I had always known about Sara Ramsey. She had been his childhood sweetheart, always lingering on the edges of our relationship.
Every time I questioned it, they laughed it off. “We’re just friends, Lucy” And I, foolishly, had always believed them all these three years.
But not anymore.
I decided I would never ever tell him about my acceptance. He did not deserve to know.
After all, only my mother had been there for my graduation, watching with teary eyes as I stepped onto the stage. Only she deserved to know my decision.
As I placed my phone down, I tumed toward my mother, who was setting a plate of warm cookies on the table.
“You still remember the Donovan family, right?” she asked casually, pushing the plate toward me.
I reached for a cookie, hesitating for a second. “Yeah, of course
“Good. They’ll take care of you in Melbourne,” she said with a pleased smile!
I blinked. “Wait, what?”
“You’re not living alone, Lucy,” she stated firmly. “I can only be at ease if you stay with them. Besides, you’ve known Ryan since you were little. No need to be shy 7
Here we go again. My mother had always found ways to bring up Ryan Donovan, as if fate had written our names side by side in the stars.
“Mom, I was planning to rent a small studio apartment. It’s only for a year…”
“No, no, that won’t do.” She waved me off. “The Donovans are good people, and Ryan is a fine young man. Think of it as a chance to get to know your future husband before marriage.“3
“Mom!” I nearly choked on my cookie.
She chuckled, enjoying my reaction. “What? It makes sense, doesn’t it? You were accepted into a university in Melbourne, where Ryan just happens to be. Isn’t this like the universe telling you that you’re meant to be?”
I sighed, rubbing my temple. “Fine, but don’t bring this up again if it turns out Ryan and I aren’t compatible.
“Alright, alright,” she said, but I could see the amusement dancing in her eyes.
My mother still did not know if I had my own boyfriend, since Leo asked me to keep our relationship secret while I was in college, promising that once I graduated, he would make it official.
But he had not even bothered to show up that day.
What was the point of making a promise if he had no intention of keeping it?%
In the evening, I went home, not expecting to see Leo and Sara had already been in the middle of our living room, laughing as if they were the most loving couple in the world.
Leo’s arm was casually wrapped around her waist, his fingers resting on her hip in a way that felt too familiar, too intimate!
Even though Sara was packing her own suitcase, ignoring Leo’s touch, that sight made my stomach twist
“Lucy, finally you’re back,” Leo’s voice was bright, as if he had done nothing wrong..
He quickly let go of Sara, stepping toward me with a practiced ease, as if I had not just caught then looking far too comfortable together
Sara, ever so innocent, smiled at me. “I stopped by for a while to drop off souvenirs. We packed them in one suitcase to save space. You don’t mind, right, Lucy?“%
Her tone was light, as if she was not standing in my home, touching my boyfriend, acting as if this was normal.!!
I met her gaze, expressionless. “Yeah, whatever.”
12:14 PM c
Leo barely reacted to my cold tone. “You must be tired,” he said smoothly. “Go to sleep first. Il help Sara for a while.“I
Sara quickly added, “Yes, don’t worry. I’ll leave after we’re done.” Her voice camed a soft, guilty note, as if she was the considerate one, as if she was doing me a favor
1 let out a quiet breath, keeping my face unreadable. “Take your time,” I said, my voice colder than before.
Then, without another glance, I tumed and walked into the bedroom, shutting the door behind me.
But the walls were thin
I could still hear their voices, their giggles, their whispered exchanges.
Sara’s soft laughter floated through the air. “Don’t tickle me, it’s already late. I should finish quickly so I don’t disturb Lucy”
Leo chuckled. “Alright, alnight Just don’t take my underwear as a souvenir“X
“Leo!” she squealed, playfully scolding him.
They kept talking, their voices light and teasing, completely at ease with each other. No boundaries, no hesitation–just two people who had long since stopped pretending they were not something more.”
The time Sara left, I had already gone to bed.
After that, I heard the door creak open. The mattress dipped as Leo climbed in beside me.
“Lucy,” he murmured, his hands running down my body, tracing every inch of me. “I bought you many souvenirs–do you want to see
them?%
There was a time when I would have melted at his touch, turned to him, and let my love overshadow my doubts.
But that time, I moved away, my body rigid.
Leo hesitated, “What’s wrong?” He let out a lazy chuckle. “Did girl period attack you or something?“%
I did not speak, simply grabbed my phone from the nightstand, unlocked it, and turned the screen toward him.X
The color drained from his face
He let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Lucy, come on. That was just a game of truth or dare. You know how they are.”
He leaned in, his voice dropping into that familiar, honeyed tone. “Don’t be mad, baby. You know you’re the only one …
I did not let him finish, Without a word, I threw off the covers and stood abruptly, stepping away from the bed
“I’ll sleep in another room,” I said coldly.
But to my surprise, he did not chase after me
“What am I actually expecting?” I muttered to myself in agony.
Leo was not the type to put in effort unless it benefited him. He probably thought I was just in a bad mood, that I would get over it by morning.
Deep down, I already knew the truth, but I always made an excuse that he would change.
Well, it did not matter anymore. In thirty days, I would be gone from his world forever anyway.!!!
