Chapter1
I struggled to open my eyes in the emergency room.]
Before the doctor could speak, Xavier’s cold questioning came through.[]
“Ariella, was it necessary? Just because I took Chloe back to the city first, you threatened me with your life on purpose?”
“I’ve told you countless times, I only see Chloe as a sister. Can’t you stop being so petty?“[]
Xavier stared at me with cold, disdainful eyes, his face full of disgust.]
Thinking back to the trip that was supposed to be relaxing, I still felt a chill.]
It was supposed to be just Xavier and me taking a break together.
But right before we left, his childhood friend, Chloe insisted on coming along.
I wasn’t happy about it, but I didn’t want to ruin the mood, so I reluctantly agreed.
As we drove along a mountain road, the car suddenly broke down.[]
There was no signal in the mountains, and hardly any cars passed by.]
We saw on the map that there was a village nearby, so we decided to cut through the forest to find help.[]
But the fog suddenly thickened, and we got lost.[]
To make things worse, I sprained my ankle.[]
Xavier left me alone in the mountains, saying he couldn’t carry someone who was limping through the forest.[]
He went with his friend to find help, promising to come back for me.[]
I waited desperately until nightfall, hearing terrifying animal sounds from the forest.]
I couldn’t wait any longer and hobbled forward, only to step into thin air and fall off a cliff.]
Luckily, a small tree broke my fall.[]
I climbed up, battered and exhausted, and passed out from the cold.[]
It wasn’t until the next morning that a villager found me.
They helped me contact the rescue team, and I barely escaped with my
life.
Now, in his eyes, it was all a ploy to threaten him.]
“Xavier, I didn’t… I really…“[]
My voice was so hoarse I could barely speak.]
“Enough! If you’re not dead, stop pretending. Chloe still needs me to take care of her. Take care of yourself.“]
Xavier left without looking back, his cold figure quickly disappearing.]]
Tears of frustration welled up in my eyes.
This was the boyfriend I had chased after for eight years, always playing the fool for him.]
Three years of high school, four years of college, one year of work. Eight years in total.]
Despite everyone’s objections, I had stubbornly, shamelessly loved him.[]
And what did I get in return? He treated me like I was nothing.
Eight years couldn’t compare to a single finger of his childhood friend.[]
