Original subtitles

You monster, Avrila.

Avira, I got sucked into a novel, and I'm the big bad? Go to hell.

I jade awake and find myself holding a pair of scissors.

In front of me, a girl with an injured lip is backed against the wall by the

people I brought.

If you're going to cut it, hurry up. Stop wasting my time.

I really got sucked into a novel?

The poor student in front of me is actually the long-lost daughter of the

Whitmores, the richest family in the country.

And I've become Avira, a doomed lesbian side character who has a crush on the

villainess Madison and bullies the heroine for her. In the original novel,

after Chloe finds her family, she not only drives the original Avira's family

into bankruptcy, but also locks her up, tortures her, and eventually throws her

into the ocean to feed her to the sharks.

Back off, all of you.

Don't touch her again.

I'm sorry.

Actually, I never wanted to hurt you.

I chase after her to apologize, following her all the way to an old

apartment building.

Wasn't bullying me at school enough? You had to follow me home too?

Get some more money out of that

rich, gullible girl chasing you.

I needed to start my business.

I'll figure out the money. You just focus on the project.

I like women, but that doesn't mean I'd still like a gold digger like Madison.

Now I just need to get on the heroine's good side, then go home and enjoy being

a wealthy heiress.

I hide the apartment with breakfast in hand.

When Chloe opens the door and sees me, she immediately steps around me,

refusing even to touch the container.

I'll eat first. You can watch.

Nothing's been added to it. Stay away from me.

I follow her to the classroom and set the breakfast beside her desk.

She changes seats, and I follow her again.

People around us start looking over.

Her expression grows worse and worse, and only then do I remember that the

original Avla used to bring her food too, but only to humiliate her in

public. After class begins, she stands to answer a question. When she sits back

down, she suddenly grips the edge of the desk, her forehead damp with sweat. I

offer her the food, but she turns her head away. Seeing her lips go pale, I

panic and fall back on the original Avira's old trick. Eat it.

Or I'll go make trouble for your grandmother at the hospital today.

She jerks her head toward me, her fingers tightening.

In the end, she lowers her head and eats.

With a face that perfect, no wonder the villainess is jealous.

She's gorgeous.

She never looks at me as she swallows.

I only wanted to make her feel better, but I used someone she cared about to

force her again.

Madison has been watching from the front row, but I ignore her.

After class, Chloe pushes the container back towards me.

How much was it? I'll pay you back.

I shake my head, but she keeps her hand poised over her wallet.

I don't want to owe you anything.

Reluctantly, I get to my feet to leave the classroom, but Madison's friend

Brooke blocks my way.

She's been hungry all morning. Why didn't you bring her breakfast today? If

she's hungry, she can buy her own food. I'm not obligated to bring her meals

every day.

She tried to pressure me by Madison will be upset.

I do not respond.

I only tell her to let Madison know that she needs to return some of the Porsche

keys she borrowed.

Brooke tries to argue, but I have already walked around her and left. To

win Madison over, the original Avira never dared offend anyone around her.

I do not want to keep doing that. And I certainly do not want to keep paying for

Ethan's startup.

That evening, I move into the old apartment as planned.

My private driver, Marcus, has just finished moving the furniture in when

Chloe comes home from work and stands in the hallway, staring at me.

I rented the place next door. We're neighbors now. She looks at the room

behind me, then at her own old door. Her fists suddenly clench tight.

I want to explain that living closer would make it easier to look after her,

but even I know that would not sound right. Do you really have to push me

this far?

She walks straight past me. Hey! I try to stop her, but she slams her door

shut. I'm doomed.

At this rate, Chloe's definitely going to throw me into the ocean and feed me

to the sharks.

Just as I am panicking, Chloe suddenly opens her door and comes out. For once,

she does not avoid me.

Did you pay my grandmother's medical bills?

She had just gotten off the phone with her grandmother and learned that the

bill had been paid. After confirming the payer's last name, she came to find me.

I did.

Your grandmother needed treatment right away. You and Madison are having a

fight.

There's no need to drag my grandmother into it. Only then do I understand.

She thinks I am pulling her into whatever is going on between Madison and

me again.

The original Avira told too many lies.

Now, no matter what I do, Chloe has to be on guard first.

This has nothing to do with her.

And you don't have to pay me back.

Her lips press into a thin line. She doesn't accept it. I remember how the

original Avira spread rumors about her, blocked her way, and even interfered

with her financial aid application, making it impossible for her to earn

money and care for her grandmother in peace.

I consider this money a loan you covered for me. I'll pay every cent back

gradually. I stand outside her door and watch her go back inside.

I can't even bring myself to stop her.

The original Avira was such an asshole.

I need to step up my game and make this right.

I am about to go back inside when a huge cockroach darts past my feet. I lose my

felting and fall right onto the floor, scrambling backward.

Hearing the commotion, Chloe comes back and stomps down on it.

In my panic, I grab her leg.

Just as I start to relax, let go of me. I hear her voice above me.

She looks at me, then at the floor. The coldness in her expression finally

eases. I thought you liked it here.

Still like it now?

It's not that I like it here. It's because you live here.

The moment the words leave my mouth, I panic.

She is the heroine of the original novel.

I only want her to stop hating me. I cannot let her get the wrong idea again.

I hurriedly try to explain that I did not mean anything else, but she has

already turned and gone back inside. After Chloe's grandmother's surgery, I

go to the drink stop to find her.

I buy two drinks and slide one towards her.

She doesn't take it.

Only then do I realize how pointless it is to buy an employee a drink from her

own shop.

When I hear the surgery went well, I finally let out a breath.

She takes off the disposable glove she uses for packing itters and glances at

me.

My grandmother wants to thank you in person. She asked me to take you to the

hospital. I immediately ask if she is willing to take me.

She does not answer.

She picks up a new order and goes back to work.

She really does seem different.

We'll see.

After Chloe finishes a rush of orders, I cannot help telling her she should make

more friends.

Before I can finish, she looks up.

You're the one who got me ostracized, and now you're telling me to make more

friends? I shut up immediately.

The rumors the original Avira spread forced her out of the dorms and left her

constantly harassed by strangers.

I did not go through any of that, but I'm still the one wearing the face she

can barely stand to look at.

I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry.

She does not respond.

When her shift ends, I ask her to have dinner with me. She refuses without

hesitation. If you won't go, then I guess I'll have to go find your

grandmother instead.

I take her to an upscale restaurant and slide the menu towards her.

Order whatever you want. Don't worry about the price.

Let's go somewhere else. I can't eat here.

I thought that if I picked somewhere expensive, she could at least have a

good meal.

But she's clearly uncomfortable.

The more I insist, the more resistance I see on her face.

So anyone can eat at a place like this now? Your sugar mommy treating you?

Sugar mommy.

Waiter, get this lowlife out of here.

What do you think you're doing to my friend?

I'm one of the restaurant's highest tier VIPs, so the waiter can only back off

with a featuring smile.

Friend.

Brooke looks at Chloe first, then turns to confront me. Her voice draws looks

from the people nearby. You said Madison was the only one you like, now you're

bringing her here to dinner?

You go ahead.

Madison stares at Chloe and her eyes quickly turn red. I only said we could

talk about dating after graduation.

You can't even wait that long?

You never agreed to date me and I'm not going to keep chasing you.

Her expression freezes.

Brooke is still questioning me about my old promise, but I do not want to argue

with her. I look straight at Madison.

Also, it's time to return the car I lent you. Give me the keys.

Madison turns to look at Brooke, only then realizing I had already brought it

up before.

I do not take back what I said or look to her for approval like I used to.

After a moment, she pulls out the keys and throws them at me before turning

away. I catch them and do not go after her.

The keys still dig into my palm, but this body is finally done falling for a

bitch like her.

Hey girl, let me take you for a spin in my luxury car.

Chloe ignores me and leads me into a small restaurant.

After one bite, I push the plate towards her, hoping she will eat while it is

still hot.

This place is really good. I like it better than the last one.

I do not mention the price again and finish my meal quietly.

After I return to the apartment, my mother calls me on video. I show her the

keys I got back, but she is not reassured.

You got the car back, so why are you still living out here?

Is it because of that gold digger again?

No. I'm not chasing Madison anymore.

After the call, I step onto the balcony for some air and catch Chloe hanging up

her underwear.

Turn around! Stop looking!

I had just gotten her to relax a little today, and then I made her uncomfortable

again.

Halfway through a song, a harmica suddenly starts playing next door.

I slow down, waiting for her to follow along.

When I switch to the next song, the harmica falls silent for a moment, then

starts again.

I set breakfast in front of Chloe's desk.

She pushes it back, still holding the food she bought herself.

No thanks, I already have mine.

Oh, come on, it's no trouble. I can bring you something different tomorrow.

He backs toward the wall.

Only then do I realize how close I am.

Even so, I don't let up until she agrees.

After I sit back down, I write her a note complimenting her harmonica playing

last night.

She only writes back, okay, then goes back to listening to the lecture.

I fall asleep with my head on my desk and dream that she has locked me in a

basement. When I wake up, I cry out and get sent to stand in the back by the

professor. You.

Half the class has gone by.

My palms are still sweaty.

How could such a beautiful woman do something so cruel? You going to the

nurse's office or what?

When we reach the hallway, Madison is handing a watch to a boy in front of

her, smiling like she is a completely different person from before.

Happy birthday, Ethan.

I hope you like it.

I stop in my tracks.

The male lead from the original novel is already here earlier than I remember.

Chloe looks at me from beside her, but I cannot even get a word out.

I thought I still had time to make things right with her.

Now, I do not even know how much time I have left.

Do you like Chloe?

Is that why you helped us pay all this money?

No, please don't misunderstand.

I didn't mean it that way.

Afraid of getting too involved with the heroine from the original novel?

I deny it too quickly.

Even trying to explain feels pointless.

Her grandmother tells me about raising Chloe on her own.

Chloe never had nice clothes when she was little, but she always worked hard

in school.

She finally made it to college, only to have to work to support herself.

The more I listen, the less I dare look at Chloe standing beside me.

Outside the hospital room, I apologize again, but she stops short.

I'm not going to keep playing along with your little act.

If you're using me to make Madison jealous, it ends here.

What I've done has nothing to do with her. Stop thinking that.

She does not believe me.

She even insists on paying back the medical bills as soon as she can.

I want to chase after her, but I realize I have no way to tell her the real

reason. After she walks away, I think of Ethan again.

In the original novel, he got his start through an online campus marketplace.

Later, he had the means to go after the original Avra.

I do not go after Chloe.

Instead, I call Marcus and tell him to take me to my father's company.

I need to steal the mail bead's first big opportunity before he gets it.

I can't let him grow powerful.

My father looks up as I walk into his office and immediately stuffs his games

console into a drawer.

I do not call him out on it.

Instead, I tell him I want to build a campus marketplace for second-hand

goods. Need money again?

What are you buying Madison this time?

It's not for her. I want to put together a team to build the platform and launch

it at our school first.

He leans back in his chair, clearly unconvinced.

Based on what I remember from the original novel, I explain the demand for

students to buy and sell used items.

I also agree to let him have someone oversee the project.

The original Avira only ever asked him for money. It is only natural that he is

suspicious now that I am suddenly talking about a project.

First, account for all the money you spent on her. Then we can talk about

investing in this.

I spot the documents the new secretary has left on the edge of his desk and

immediately lean in.

Then I'll head home and have a talk with mom about your new secretary.

He glares at me, but finally agrees to give me the startup funding.

Once the money comes through, I find Oven's development team and lay out the

campus marketplace, the scope of the launch, and the timeline one by one.

I cannot code, but I know what Ethan is going to do next.

At the very least, I can get there before he does.

By the time I finish, it is already dark.

On my way back to the apartment, I see Chloe crouching by the roadside, feeding

a cat.

She only has a little food left but she still breaks it into small pieces and

holds them in her palm.

She's pretty cute.

By the time I run over, she is clutching her ankle.

She tries twice but cannot get back on her feet.

The dog's owner catches up and keeps apologizing.

Chloe glances at the sky, ready to let it go.

Keep your dog on a leash next time. Don't let it run into people again.

Not so fast.

She's hurt. You need to cover her medical bills and the wages she'll lose

from missing work The woman looks at Chloe seeming to wait for her to say it

is fine again She won't be able to work for the next

few days one apology doesn't mean she should bear the loss herself

The woman finally agrees to

compensate her and transfers the money I make a note of the amount, planning to

give all of it to Chloe when we get back.

I cannot stand watching anymore, so I pick her up.

Put me down! I can walk by myself!

She takes out her keys to open the door.

The moment I offer to help treat her ankle, she steps sideways and blocks the

doorway.

Chloe pulls the door open just a clack, but keeps herself between me and the

entrance.

If you won't let me treat it, I'll ask your grandmother to talk some sense into

you.

She reaches over and presses down on my phone.

Her face turns cold at once.

Is using her to threaten me all you know how to do? She does not want to alarm

her grandmother.

So in the end, she follows me into the apartment next door.

I get the first aid kit and have her sit down so I can treat her ankle.

The moment I make a joke about her foot, she brings up how I used to bully her.

I lower my head and fall silent, not daring to tease her again.

Once I finish wrapping her ankle, she picks up her shoes and tries to hop back

next door. She sways, and I quickly catch her.

Remembering that I still have the money from the dog owner, I ask her to take

out her phone.

Give me your number. I'll transfer the compensation from earlier.

At first, she only opens the payment screen.

After a moment's pause, she gives me her contact information instead.

I add her and immediately transfer the full amount without degutting the

medical costs.

I'm only giving it to you so I can pay you back.

Don't send me any weird stuff.

She closes the door.

I look at the name I have just added but this time I do not message her right

away.

This is all the money I have.

You said you wouldn't forget me once you started making money.

Ethan takes the money and asks whether I'm still bothering her.

She hasn't been looking for me lately.

She's focused on Chloe now.

She even went to the shop where Chloe works.

How dare she harass Chloe?

She does not mention asking me to cut Chloe's hair or what she herself had

made me do. The next day, I bring breakfast and a crutch next door.

Chloe has just brushed her teeth, her hair still a little messy.

When she sees the things, she starts to refuse them again.

I press them into her hands and turn away, no longer blocking her door while

I wait for her to accept.

The development team sends an update. After confirming it, I have Marcus pick

me up from school.

In the original novel, Lily, the daughter of Mafia boss Jack, will be

kidnapped here today. Ethan earns his help because of it. I have already

called the police, but I keep checking the time anyway.

In a minute, someone's going to grab that girl in the hat.

Come with me. We need to protect her first. Marcus is still confused when the

library doors open.

Lily walks down the steps alone.

At the same time, several men get out of a van parked by the curb.

The men quicken their pace and head straight for Lily.

I push open the car door and run over, stepping in front of her before they can

reach her. Don't touch her! I already called the police!

Lily grabs onto my clothes and stands behind me, too scared to move.

The man in front scans the area but does not stop.

Take this busybody, too.

One of them reaches for me, but Marcus arrives and twists his wrist behind his

back. I shield Lily and back away.

Hearing her cry behind me, I realize my own legs are shaking, too.

By the time the police arrive, the van has already gotten away.

The men left behind are taken into custody.

I have barely let out a breath when Ethan runs over from the side.

I got the license plate number. I can give it to you. The officer tells him to

wait nearby and give a statement, then asks who called the police.

I raise my hand.

Lily immediately points at me too, telling them that we were the ones who

stopped the kidnappers. Ethan comes closer and reaches out to pat her head,

chiming in as if he helped protect her. Who are you?

I didn't see you before.

His hand freezes in midair. I pull Lily behind me and continue explaining what

happened to the police.

She keeps hold of my clothes and does not let go.

As the police are about to cuff them, the lead kidnapper suddenly breaks free,

pulls out a knife, and rushes at Lily. I do not have time to get out of the way.

I can only throw out my hand to block it, and pain shoots through my palm.

Marcus tackles him and pins him down. The knife falls to the ground. I look

down and see blood dripping steadily from my hand. My legs, which had been

holding up until then, finally give out.

At the hospital, after my wound is treated, I lean against the headboard.

Only when Jack walks in with his daughter do I sit up straight.

Thank you for taking that hit for her.

I won't forget what you did for us.

I'm just glad she wasn't hurt.

She should have someone with her when she goes out from now on. He asks what I

need, but I shake my head.

I only meant to stop him from getting involved with Ethan.

But when that knife came at us, I did not have time to think about any of

that.

Jack leaves me his contact information and tells me to call him directly if I

ever need anything.

Ethan is there too. Once we finish talking he immediately steps forward.

I got the license plate number of the van that escaped.

The police are already looking into it.

Good. Thank you for the lead.

He then turns back to ask about my injury.

Ethan says nothing else. When I look up I meet his eyes.

The smile has vanished from his face.

When I am discharged, Lily insists on coming back to my apartment with me.

I call Jack to confirm.

He has already agreed and says he can send someone to pick her up anytime if

needed.

Only then do I let her get in the car with me.

While I was in the hospital, I texted Chloe to tell her where I left the

medicine, but she never replied.

When we reach the apartment, Chloe is coming back with groceries.

Whose kid is this?

Why did you bring her here?

She's Jack's daughter. Her dad knows, and he can come get her anytime.

What happened to your hand?

Someone came at me with a knife.

She blocked it, and she lost so much blood.

Chloe looks at me, and whatever she was about to say stops.

I push the door open and invite Chloe inside to sit down. I briefly tell her

what happened at the library.

Lily sits beside me.

Whenever I get to the dangerous parts, she grabs my sleeve and I have to stop

and comfort her first.

Chloe does not question me again.

Her eyes settle on the bandage. Out of habit, I try to pull my hand away, but

she moves the chair beside her first, making room for me.

Lily holds her stomach and looks at me. Only then do I realize neither of us has

eaten since noon. I take out my phone, ready to order food delivery.

What do you want to eat? I'll order delivery.

I bought groceries.

I'll use your kitchen.

Consider it my way of paying you back. I immediately put away my phone and follow

her inside to help. She looks at the bandage on my hand and only lets me set

out the dishes, telling me not to touch the water.

Once the food is on the table, I take a bite, then another.

She has put so much thought into the meal, even serving Lily's portion

separately without the things she isn't used to eating. It's really good.

Stop saying you only know how to throw a few things together.

After dinner, she goes back next door.

After Lily takes a bath, She notices the guitar in the corner. I lift my injured

hand. There is no way I can play, so I only tell her the girl next door can

play the harmonica.

Can you teach me that song again?

When Lily says she wants to learn more another day, Chloe does not refuse.

An interview is playing on my phone.

The reporter asks about the kidnapping.

Ethan sits up straight and starts by saying that he memorized the license

plate of the getaway van.

I memorized the getaway van's license plate. And how were the kidnappers

subdued? Another witness and I restrained them until the police

arrived. My grip on the phone tightens for a moment. When Marcus stepped in,

Ethan had not even come over yet.

But he makes simply being there sound like he helped subdue them.

Ethan takes a sip of water.

The reporter then asks about the person who was injured blocking the knife.

I turn off the video and do not watch any further.

He does not even mention why I reached out.

He has already made up his mind about me.

On Monday, Chloe and I run into each other downstairs and walk to class

together.

The moment we walk in, I hear Madison recording a voice message on her phone,

deliberately raising her voice.

Being able to help catch people in a moment like that, Ethan, you're much

more reliable than someone who only knows how to spend money.

I do not stop.

I walk to the back and sit down.

Chloe glances at my injured hand on the desk, then looks toward the front.

Madison is still waiting for a reply.

I unzip my bag, but Chloe does not take out her books right away.

She keeps staring at Madison's back.

Jack walks into the classroom with hospital staff and heads straight for

me.

Before I can even stand up, they place a certificate in front of me.

Thank you for stopping the kidnapping and protecting my daughter when she was

in danger.

This combination is yours.

Madison turns around, and the smile on her face disappears.

I accept the certificate and pose for photos, only hoping this will be over as

soon as possible.

Chloe says nothing.

She moves the bag blocking the side of my desk out of the way for me.

Ethan closes the video, then sees a message from Madison.

I watched the video.

Since when did you help catch the kidnappers?

Ethan holds his phone. After a long pause, he finally replies.

I was watching for other threats.

You know, I'm not the type to rush in without thinking. I'm asking why you

said that in the interview.

He brings up how he saved her back then, hoping she will believe him. Madison

does not reply again. She swipes away the interview and opens the video from

the scene again. The video freezes on the moment the knife is raised. Avira is

the one standing in front of Lily.

The school releases the list for its showcase.

After Chloe reads it, her face suddenly darkens.

I am still joking beside her when she places her phone face down on the desk.

Can you be quiet?

I don't want to hear you right now.

I stop, finally remembering how she ended up signing up.

To make Madison happy, the original Avara had pulled Chloe by the hair and

forced her to put her name down, just so she could watch her embarrass herself

off strays.

As Madison walks by, she deliberately looks at Chloe and says she is really

looking forward to it.

Hearing that, I cannot stay seated another second.

After class, I catch up with Chloe outside and grab her wrist, offering to

help.

You forced me to sign up, and now you're pretending to be the good guy?

I'll go on stage with you.

You sing, and I'll play guitar.

Even if we embarrass ourselves, I won't let you stand up there alone.

She pauses but does not turn around.

I do not touch her again.

I only bring up the music we played together that night.

We are not starting from nothing.

We can at least give it a try instead of letting Madison get what she wants.

You think, Going stunt ride with me makes this all go away.

After a while, she finally turns around and looks at me seriously.

Fine. But if we do this, we're taking first place.

Chloe sits at the other end of the bench without touching the water I hand her. I

suggest we try singing through the song first, but she says she has a shift that

evening and needs to visit the hospital afterward.

Then you pick the time.

I'll practice with you. It's okay if you don't know how. We can take it slow.

It's not that I don't have time.

I'm afraid I won't sing well.

When she finally tells me the reason, I'm actually relieved.

We agree to try once after her shift that night.

I go home and ask my mother for some unopened makeup for Chloe to use at the

showcase. The moment my mother hears it's for a girl, she immediately puts

down what she's holding.

You just got your car back.

What are you planning to give Madison this time?

I explain that it wasn't for Madison, but she still doesn't believe me.

So I tell her about Chloe's real identity.

My mother studies me for a moment, clearly assuming I'm making up another

excuse. She really is the Whitmore family's long-lost daughter. You'll see.

Instead of responding, my mother takes my injured hand and asks if it still

hurts. I nod.

not daring to act tough about saving Lily again.

Before I leave, she lets me take the extra makeup anyway.

Just as I walk out, she calls after me, warning me not to spend money trying to

win someone over again.

You still have to work every day?

Avila doesn't even cover your living expenses?

Chloe does not answer.

After confirming their drink orders, she keeps making them.

A co-worker starts to speak up for her, but Chloe gently stops them.

We're customers.

Can't you at least smile?

Two drinks. I'll bring them over in a minute.

The two sit down, but they do not drop the subject.

They deliberately bring up the showcase and mock her for working at the drink

shop.

Chloe lowers her head to seal the cups and does not engage with them.

A little while later, Ethan rides up to the shop on his bike.

When he walks in, he sees Chloe behind the counter first.

He goes over, orders a drink, then deliberately tells her that even without

sugar, the drinks she makes are sweet.

She only confirms his order, then turns back to work.

Madison calls out to him from behind, clearly annoyed.

I've been busy all afternoon. I'm just grabbing a drink. I'll leave in a

minute. I happen to pull up outside in my car.

As I get out, Madison sees me through the window, then immediately shifts her

gaze towards the counter.

The moment I reach the counter, Ethan steps between Chloe and me.

Haven't you done enough to her already?

Now you're showing up at her job too?

Madison looks up beside him, and Brooke stares at me too.

I do not deny what I did before.

I only glance at the clock on the wall.

We made plans.

I'm waiting for her to get off work.

Ethan clearly does not believe me and stays where he is.

I do not want to argue in the shop, so I step aside.

Chloe has already taken off her apron and handed things over to a co-worker.

She walks straight toward me.

I'm done.

Let's go.

Ethan reaches out to stop her again.

He tells her not to go out with me just because she is afraid and says he can

help her.

I do not answer for her.

I only wait by the door.

I can decide for myself who I go out with. I don't need you deciding for me.

She walks past him and I follow her out to open the car door. Even after she is

seated, Ethan is still standing inside the shop, his drink untouched in his

hand. Once we drive away, I cannot help asking what she thinks of Ethan.

She only says she does not know him, then asks whether I am still comparing

myself to him. I tighten my grip on the steering wheel and do not ask anything

else.

The private room door closes.

Chloe sits at the edge of the couch, her back still straight.

I pick up the microphone and sing first, hoping it will keep her from being so

nervous. When I finish, she does not criticize me like she usually does.

I hand her the microphone and casually mention a singer she likes.

I never told you that.

How did you know?

My heart skips a beat.

I've gotten too used to using information from the original novel and

almost let something slip.

I can only bring up the song we played together that night and explain that we

have similar tastes in music.

She does not ask any more questions.

Holding the microphone, she waits for me to play.

I tune the guitar and start at the pace she is used to.

After the song, she lowers the microphone, but her fingers are still

clenched around it.

Was it bad?

Just tell me.

I was about to tease her, but when I see her looking down and waiting for

criticism, I stop myself.

It was really good.

Just keep your breathing steadier there, and you'll be fine off strays.

She finally looks at me.

her face turning red.

Thinking the room is too stuffy, I reach out to touch her forehead, but she

immediately bats my hand away.

Don't get handsy. I'm fine. I quickly pull my hand back. She picks up the

microphone again and signals for me to start from the beginning. This time, her

voice is steadier than before.

I put money into that project too, but those businessmen you invited treated me

as an escort.

He just doesn't want the project to fall through. It doesn't mean he doesn't care

about you.

Madison does not respond.

When she looks up, she sees Chloe and me coming out of the room nearby.

With my guitar on my back, I am confirming the time for our next

rehearsal with Chloe Madison strides over and blocks our way. She looks at

the microphone cover in Chloe's hand first, then at me. She brings up...

how I used to promise that I would only bring her here and demands an

explanation. I tell her those arrangements will not continue.

Her face immediately darkens. She reaches up and grabs me by the collar.

You bring her here now and expect me to pretend I didn't see it?

I won't forgive you so easily this time.

I never asked you to forgive me, and I'm not going to keep the promises I made

before. She tries to reach for me again, but I signal to a staff member nearby.

The staff member steps in to stop her and reminds her not to grab other

guests.

Chloe is already by the elevator. I straighten my collar and follow her

without explaining anything else.

Before the elevator doors close, Madison is still standing in the hallway

watching me.

Chloe returns one of my earpods and takes out her phone to send me money.

When I see the amount, I realize she got paid today.

I'll pay back this much first. I'll pay the rest back slowly.

I do not accept it right away.

Instead, I hand her the makeup supplies first.

She opens the box, takes one look, then closes it and pushes it back.

I explain that they are unopened things from my mother and that we need them for

the performance, but she still refuses to take them.

I'm the one who forced you to sign up. You shouldn't have to pay for the things

we need for the performance, too.

She looks down at the box and finally stops pushing it back.

She only keeps looking at my phone urging me to accept the transfer.

Once I agree, she gets out of the car.

I look at the amount she sent and still hesitate.

She counts every dollar, even when it comes to meals.

This money has probably taken a big chunk out of her living expenses.

Has something been making you happy lately?

You don't look as tired as you used to when you come see me.

You're getting discharged soon. Of course I'm happy.

Her grandmother does not press her.

She only brings up the money Chloe owes Avira.

Chloe opens her phone and sees that the transfer still has not been accepted.

She stops peeling the apple, checks again, then grips her phone tightly.

When Chloe knocks on my door with her makeup done, I am just getting back from

the mall with Lily.

I hand her the outfit for the performance, but she takes out her phone

first.

Accept the money first.

Otherwise, I'm not taking any of this either.

I look at the transfer and ask how much she will have left after paying me back.

She does not answer, only urges me to accept it.

Worried she will skip meals again just to repay me, I suggest she pay me back

monthly in amounts that will not affect her living expenses.

Take your time. I'm not rushing you.

You don't need to send me your entire food budget for the month.

She thinks about it for a while, then finally nods.

Only then does she take the outfit and go back to her apartment.

I wait in the hallway while Lily keeps glancing at Chloe's door.

When it opens again, Chloe has changed into a white dress.

I am about to ask whether it fits, but when I look up, I forget to speak.

Does something look wrong?

No, you look beautiful.

I just didn't know what to say for a second.

She looks down and adjusts the skirt, but I keep staring at her neckline and

say something else without thinking.

She immediately asks who bought the dress.

I fall silent and admit she can wear it however she wants.

She does not argue again, only pulls the neckline up a little herself.

I notice, but do not dare ask whether it is because of what I said.

I only take the bag with the shoes she changed out of.

Everyone was watching you out there.

Chloe hasn't even shown up yet. What could she possibly do to compete with

you?

Then Avery, one of the most popular girls on campus, takes the stage and

receives plenty of applause, but Madison keeps watching the entrance.

With my guitar on my back, I head toward backstage.

The sound of heels behind me grows slower and slower.

When I turn around, Chloe is gritting her teeth as she follows, taking every

step carefully.

Get on. I'll carry you over.

At this rate we're really going to be late.

She tries to take off her shoes, but I look at the ground and stop her.

After hesitating, she carries them in her hand and slowly climbs onto my back,

wrapping her arms around my neck.

I make sure she is secure and keep walking.

After a while, she suddenly speaks close to my ear.

Why do you care so much about me?

Because I treated you badly before.

This is the least I should do.

She does not say anything else.

Her grip on my collar loosens a little.

When we get backstage, I set her down.

She puts her shoes back on, then reaches out to straighten the collar she

wrinkled earlier.

I have barely thanked her when a staff member comes over to call us to get

ready. Chloe glances toward the stage entrance.

She does not step back.

Instead, she takes her place beside me.

I walk to center stage, sit down, and tune my guitar.

Chloe holds the microphone and looks at me.

I give her a nod and begin the intro at the pace we practiced.

Once she starts singing, I stop worrying.

At the part where she needs to take a breath, she pauses just long enough and

comes in right on cue.

Every now and then she glances at me, but never loses the rhythm.

When the final note fades, applause rises from the audience.

We bow together.

As I stand, I see Madison off to the side. She has not clapped once.

Once we get backstage, Chloe finally turns to me.

How was I?

I didn't hold you back, did I?

You were even better than you were in practice.

I was the one worried I'd mess up.

She looks down and smiles, then sincerely compliments my accompaniment,

too.

Before I can respond, a girl suddenly rushes over and throws her arms around

her.

Chloe goes stiff, her hands frozen in midair, but the girl does not let go.

I'm Avery. I've been waiting to meet you. Let's be friends. I see Chloe

trying to pull away and quickly separate them. Avery tries to move closer again,

but Chloe steps behind me first.

We can be friends, but don't hug me out of nowhere again.

Chloe doesn't immediately respond.

Only after Avery nods in agreement does Chloe pull up her contact information.

Avery adds Chloe's contact information, but still refuses to leave, asking when

they can hang out.

Chloe takes a step back behind me just as a man with glasses arrives.

She already said no.

Stop making her uncomfortable.

Avery shoots him a glare, but finally leaves with him.

I turn to Chloe.

She rubs the arm Avery grabbed earlier and suggests we go eat first instead of

waiting for the awards.

Seeing that her foot still hurts, I do not insist.

There's been a problem.

Another platform launched before ours, and students at the school have already

moved over to it. What about the money I invested?

Can I still get it back? He does not answer right away.

He only says his platform has not been officially promoted yet, so it is too

early to call it a failure.

Don't panic.

Let me get the promotion going first, then we'll see.

Chloe walks with me to the school gate, but her steps grow slower and slower.

I look down and see that her shoes have rubbed her toes raw, so I stop.

Wait here. I'll get the car.

Don't walk any farther.

It's not far. I can walk.

I do not agree.

I hand her my guitar and turn towards the parking lot.

She shifts her weight against the railing, then finally stays where she

is. The car is not far away.

I quicken my pace, wanting her to get out of those shoes as soon as possible.

I'm waiting for someone.

Please leave.

She holds the guitar tightly and steps to the side, but they move with her.

One of them leans in to smell her hair.

Another makes a joke about her turning them down.

She immediately steps back.

Stop following me. If you keep this up, I'm calling the police.

The men do not leave. They keep blocking her way. She stops arguing and turns to

wait somewhere with more people, but her heel twists and she falls to the ground.

One of the men reaches for her under the pretense of helping her up. She

immediately knocks his hand away and shrinks back with the guitar in her

arms, but he leans over her again.

I drive back and see Chloe sitting on the ground, surrounded by several men.

I honk the horn, grab the baseball bat from the car, and get out. Get away from

her. She's my girlfriend.

The man standing closest tries to block me, but I kick him away. I hold the bat

against his chest. The other two stop, and none of them dares come any closer.

We were just asking her something. We didn't do anything to her.

I point towards the intersection and tell them to leave.

I was just ready to argue with those men, but seeing her like this, I do not

know what to say first.

Next time, can you come back faster?

Okay.

Next time, I won't leave you waiting alone.

She tries several times to fasten her seatbelt, but the buckle will not click

into place.

I have no choice but to lean over and help. My chest brushes the back of her

hand and she immediately pulls away. I look down and fasten the belt. When I

look back up, her other hand is hovering over my hair.

She quickly pulls it back and turns to look out the window.

I sit back in the driver's seat, but she is still holding the unused tissue.

Verify her background first. Don't scare her off. I want to know who raised her.

At the apartment, I have barely laid down when I receive a message from Chloe

asking how she should return the dress.

I tell her to keep it, but she refuses.

Left with no choice, I make a teasing joke that gets her so annoyed that she

stops replying.

The next day, when I open my door, she is already standing in the hallway with

her coat on.

When I go downstairs to buy breakfast, I do not expect her to come with me.

Didn't I say I'd bring it?

Why are you buying your own?

I can take care of myself.

I'm not some cat you have to feed.

I laugh and say she is much easier to look after than a cat.

She immediately asks who I think I can take care of when I cannot even cook.

As we enter the school, passing students recognize her and begin wondering

whether we are dating.

She says nothing.

but I start to feel uncomfortable.

Want me to walk ahead so they'll stop talking?

She glances at me.

She does not answer or slow down and keeps walking beside me.

Madison sits in the front row, listening as Brooke tells her that Ethan wants to

take her to dinner.

Her face looks even worse than when she came in. No!

The project still hasn't gotten anywhere, but the dinners just keep

coming. Chloe and I walk in.

Several classmates immediately gather around to praise her singing. She is not

used to it at first, but she still responds to them seriously.

Don't you sit in the front?

After the bell rings, something suddenly brushes against my calf.

I look down and realize she is slowly rubbing her shoe against my leg.

I move my leg away.

She looks at me, so I shift a little closer to Chloe.

Why are you squeezing me? Isn't there room over there?

I have no choice but to sit up straight. After class, I run into Avery in the

hallway outside the restroom.

She says she asked Chloe to dinner last night but has not gotten a reply.

I remind her that she scared Chloe last time, but she grabs me and refuses to

let me leave.

What about you?

What exactly is going on between you and her? Why is she always with you?

I look back toward the classroom.

Chloe is sitting there with her head down, writing.

I return to my seat, and Madison takes my hand.

I know Ethan bothers you.

It's not like I don't have feelings for you. Can we try dating for a month?

I look at her and think of how the original Avira could never get a clear

answer from her.

Now she finally has one, but it comes with a time limit.

I'm not throwing a tantrum, and I don't care who you like.

I'm not chasing you anymore.

She freezes, asking what all the money I spent and everything I said before were

supposed to mean.

I do not rehash the past with her. I only pull out the textbook she is

pinning down and tell her I will not keep this going.

I think of Avery's request and turn to talk it over with her.

She wants to take you to dinner.

I can come too, so you won't have to deal with her alone.

You have to come with me.

If she suddenly jumps on me again, I won't know what to do.

But Chloe stares at my screen and asks when I added Avery's contact

information. I added it in the hallway just now.

You have to follow me even when I'm just having dinner?

Do you have to tell my dad where I'm sitting too?

He wants to see you this afternoon.

You can't put it off again.

She complains that her family is always scheduling classes and cocktail parties

for her. When she mentions how inconvenient formal dresses are to wear,

Chloe cannot help laughing.

Get the car ready.

I want to see her. We can't wait any longer.

I know nothing about this.

After dinner, I go to the development team. Owen shows me how the platform is

doing. More and more students are using it for campus trades, and Ethan's

similar project has already appeared.

They came in too late.

It'll be hard for them to promote it now.

Students are already using ours.

I tell him to keep my identity as the investor private, then grab an umbrella

and head out. The rain is coming down harder and harder outside.

Remembering that Chloe did not bring an umbrella that morning, I text her to

wait for me after class.

As soon as she replies, I head straight to the school.

Let me walk you home.

If the rain gets any heavier, you'll be stuck here.

No thanks.

I'm waiting for someone.

I hurry over with my umbrella.

When I hear that, though, I slow down.

In the original novel, Ethan is supposed to show up when she needs him.

If I go over now, will I just mess everything up again?

They both look at me.

I grip the umbrella handle, hesitate, then stop off to the side.

He can take you home.

I won't get in the way.

You told me to wait for you, and now you're pushing me off on someone else?

I open my mouth, but she has already pushed past me and walked into the rain

alone.

I stay where I am, watching them walk away, but I do not feel any relief at

all.

Once they leave the school, Chloe parts ways with Ethan.

She does not buy an umbrella.

She holds her books and walks all the way back to the apartment.

When I return, the door next door is already shut tight.

Rainwater drips down the hallway.

I stare at the wet footprints outside her door for a long time, unable to

bring myself to take out my keys.

I take in a black cat that came in to get out of the rain.

Just as I am about to feed it, Avery suddenly messages me to say Chloe is

sick and did not go to her shift.

I knock on Chloe's door next door.

After a long wait, she finally answers, but refuses to open it.

If you didn't want to pick me up, you shouldn't have made me wait.

You don't need to worry about me now either.

Open the door first, or I'll have to call your grandmother.

The door suddenly flies open.

She is clutching her stomach, her face pale, and reaches for my phone. I put it

away and help her toward the bed, but she keeps pushing me away.

Get out. I didn't ask you to come in.

Desperate to get her to lie down, I grab the back of her neck and push her back.

She goes still at once, clutching my sleeve as her eyes quickly fill with

tears. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have put my hands on you.

Don't be scared. I let go.

She turns her face away and does not look at me again.

I go out to buy medicine.

When I come back, I leave the unopened package and a hot drink on her bedside

table, not daring to rush her like before.

After she sits up, I step back and wait for her to check them herself.

Only after she takes the medicine do I pick up my things and leave. After the

door closes, I look at the hand I reached out with just moments ago and

slowly curl it into a fist. I do not knock again.

Madeline, I'm your mother.

We've been looking for you for years.

You have the wrong person. That's not my name. The woman hurriedly brings up the

birthmark on the side of her neck and the harmonica she carried with her as a

child. Chloe goes back inside and brings out the instrument.

Charles sees the engraving clearly, and even his voice changes.

Would you be willing to verify it with us?

Once the test is done, we'll know for sure.

I hear the commotion and open my door, only to come face to face with someone I

recognize from the original novel. Any trace of sleepiness vanishes at once.

Charles recognizes me as the one who accompanied Chloe on Strage and wants to

ask my name, but I retreat into my apartment and close the door.

I call my parents and urge them to get away as soon as possible, but neither of

them takes me seriously.

I can only contact Jack instead, not daring to go out and face Chloe again.

Two weeks later, the DNA test confirms they are related.

Chloe stays with the Whitmans, but insists on keeping her name. She still

keeps asking about her grandmother.

After the family arranges care for her grandmother, Victoria brings up moving

Chloe somewhere else.

Don't buy me a place.

I want to go back to my old apartment.

But I have already packed my things and gone to Jack's place.

Jack looks up at me for a long moment when he hears that I want to live

differently.

I do not mention Chloe.

I only say I want to try things I have never done before.

You want to drop out of college and stay out partying with him all night?

Just let me stay for a few days.

I don't want to go back to the apartment right now.

She takes me to get a trim first.

then picks out a few outfits for me.

Looking at my trimmed hair and the lip ring in the mirror, I barely recognize

myself.

That night at a club, several girls come over, but I do not even know where to

put my hands.

Jade steps in to keep them away and leads me to a booth.

Didn't you say you wanted to come out and have fun?

Why do you pull away whenever someone gets close?

I just want to look around. I haven't decided about anything else.

She laughs and does not push me.

She sits down and drinks with me.

When we talk about how she made her money, she tells me she left home and

started working at a young age.

I do not press her about the parts she does not want to talk about.

Over the next few days, I go clubbing and play pool with her.

When I get tired, I sleep at a hotel.

When my phone does not ring, I can almost forget how the original novel

ends.

My phone rings while I'm still in bed at the hotel, and my mother's voice jolts

me awake. The school has called me several times.

If you don't go back today, I'm cutting you off.

I'll go today.

Don't cut me off.

I'm getting up right now.

I hurriedly wash up and make it to the classroom before class starts. Chloe is

sitting by the window.

When she looks up and sees me, she picks up the bag she had placed on the chair

beside her. But I turn the other way and choose a seat far away from her. Her

hand stills, and then she puts the bag back down. I don't dare look at her

again. After roll call, I put my head down on the desk and don't wake up until

class is over.

There are much better places near campus.

Why do you insist on coming back here?

I'm used to living here.

This is where I want to stay.

You don't need to keep looking.

Since moving back, she has knocked on the door next to her several times and

looked for Avira in class, but she hasn't seen her anywhere.

I know nothing about any of this.

I take out my phone and call Marcus, asking him to have someone move my

things out of the apartment.

After I hang up, I shoulder my bag and walk out. It isn't until I turn the

corner that I realize Chloe has been standing there the whole time.

I see Chloe and immediately turn to leave. A textbook hits me in the back,

forcing me to stop.

I waited for you for so long, and you won't even say a word to me? I look at

her, my mind filled with how the revenge begins in the original novel. I'm sorry,

I already had someone move my things.

I promise I won't bother you anymore.

She walks closer, her fingers curling tighter and tighter.

Who said you could move out?

You still haven't made up for what you did to me.

And you think you can just leave?

I won't move.

I won't. Just don't be mad. She asks where I have been these past few days. I

do not dare tell her much. I only want to leave as soon as possible.

Victoria comes to pick up her daughter.

Seeing that Chloe is upset, she thinks of the bullying Chloe suffered in the

past and privately has someone put pressure on Bennett Company.

Chloe later goes to see Avery.

The two have become familiar.

Avery has also been honest that the closeness she showed on purpose before

did not reflect who she was actually attracted to. When they talk about

Avera, Avery casually guesses that she may have someone she likes now and is

trying to keep her distance.

Chloe grips her drink cup without answering. Only when she crushes the lid

does she slowly loosen her hand.

My father is sitting at the dining table when another call comes in just after he

hangs up. I wait for him to finish, then bring up the Whitmores directly.

The company's been in trouble lately.

They're targeting us, aren't they?

Don't worry about it.

I'll handle it.

It won't affect your studies.

I do not sit down.

I tell them everything.

How I used to bully Chloe, and how she was found by the Whitmores.

Only then does my mother realize that when I asked for the makeup supplies, I

had not made up Chloe's background.

My father puts down his phone and says nothing for a long time.

I look at the food on the table, unable to eat a bite.

The original Avira made those mistakes, but I am the one paying for them now.

My parents should not have to suffer because of it, too.

I'll go see her.

Just pretend I'm not your daughter anymore.

Let her settle the score with me alone.

If you did something wrong, then go apologize.

But don't say you don't want this family anymore.

We never said we didn't want you.

My father refuses, too.

He admits that all he ever did was give me money instead of properly guiding and

disciplining me. The more I hear, the worse I feel.

I take out my phone and send Chloe my location.

She asks what is going on. I only tell her it is important.

Before long, she replies that she is coming.

I put my phone away, gently pull my mother's hand from my arm.

and leave by myself.

Chloe walks into the bar after I have already had a few drinks.

She stands beside me.

I set down my glass, but do not dare look up.

Stop going after my parents and the company.

I'll stay.

You can deal with me however you want.

I tell her about the partnership falling through and the company running out of

money.

You've been avoiding me because you thought I would do that to you?

I cannot deny it.

She grabs my jacket and asks if I suddenly did not dare get close to her

because her identity changed.

I lower my head to apologize, not even daring to touch the hand clutching my

clothes. She lets go of me. After a moment, she asks about the time I

disappeared. You stopped going to class and didn't go back to the apartment. Who

were you spending all that time with? My heart tightens. Thinking my family has

already tracked down where I have been, I decide to tell her the truth.

Jade.

She took me out a few times.

She's a good person.

I quickly add that I chose to try those things myself.

None of it was Jade's fault.

Chloe does not respond.

She only slowly repeats that name.

Chloe's hand touches my neck.

I tense up at once, not even daring to turn my head. She stares at me, briefly

tightens her grip, then lets go.

Take out your lip piercing.

And from now on, you're not allowed to chase other girls.

I freeze for a moment. I had expected something much harder to accept, so I

quickly nod.

If I do that, you won't go after my parents or the company anymore?

Fine. But you're not allowed to avoid me anymore either.

What's with running away every time you see me? I won't avoid you anymore.

I'll do whatever you say.

She does not leave.

She just sits beside me.

Not knowing what else to say, I pick up my glass and take a drink.

Thinking that my parents might finally be safe.

I drink some more until my vision starts to blur.

Someone comes over to hit on me.

She's my girlfriend.

She pays the bill and helps Avila to the door.

Once we are in the car, Avila leans against Chloe's shoulder.

She sleeps restlessly, her body slipping downward now and then.

Chloe raises a hand to support her.

At first, she wants to move her shoulder away, but in the end, she does not.

She has never taken care of anyone who is drunk.

Even after looking it up on her phone, she is still unsure what to do.

She mistakes a packet of cold medicine from the cabinet as a suitable sweet

drink and brings it over.

Avira frowns and drinks a few sips, but remains drowsy and falls back asleep.

It doesn't wake her up at all.

Chloe sets down the cup and looks at the lip ring by Avra's mouth for a moment.

Her fingertips barely touch it before she pulls back.

As she pushes herself up from the bed, her hand presses over the back of

Avira's hand. She pauses for a minute before letting up. Walking over to the

desk, she calls her mother.

Were you behind what happened to Bennett Company?

Yes. After the way she bullied you, someone had to stand up for you.

Chloe turns to look at the person on the bed.

Avira shifts in her sleep and kicks off the blanket.

Chloe goes over and pulls it back over her before continuing.

Stop. I'll deal with things between her and me myself.

Don't go after her parents anymore.

All right.

Since you're asking, I'll have your brother stop.

After the call ends, Chloe takes out her diary. She writes a few lines, then

stops.

She looks at the bed Avila has taken over.

In the end, she sits beside it without waking her.

I wake to the scent of unfamiliar flowers.

When I look up, I realize the stickers on the wall are not from my room.

Chloe comes out of the bathroom and stops the moment she sees me sitting up.

Remembering our conversation at the bar, I hurriedly ask about the company. She

nod, then points at my clothes.

I did what I promised.

Get up already.

Stop taking over my bed.

You gave me your bed last night. Where did you sleep?

She says she slept at the desk.

Chloe, it's me. I came to see you.

I clutch the blanket and look at Chloe.

She immediately points to the closet.

I don't have time to straighten my clothes before climbing inside and

curling up.

She closes the closet door, then goes to open the front door.

Victoria comes in and asks about Chloe's living expenses, then brings up the girl

next door.

Hearing my name, I barely dare to breathe.

I shift my arm, and the closet door makes a sound.

This closet is old. It's always making noise. I have plans later, so I need to

get changed.

Holding my breath, I hear footsteps heading for the door.

I crawl out of the closet, catch my foot on some clothes,

and fall straight to the floor.

Chloe reaches out to help me, but a little head suddenly appears at the

door.

What are you two doing? Why were you hiding in the closet?

I quickly get to my feet and explain that someone came by earlier and it was

not convenient for me to be seen.

She does not ask any more questions.

After setting down her backpack, she casually mentions that Jade has been

taking me out a lot lately.

Chloe looks at me. Just as I am about to explain, she cuts me off.

Fix your clothes first. Then you can tell me about all your nights out.

I lower my head, button up my clothes, and sits down obediently to help Lily

with her homework.

After finishing a page, she pushes her notebook aside and looks at us

seriously. There's a family event at school this weekend.

Will you two come with me? I don't want my dad bringing a whole group of people

again. She is afraid her classmates will gossip, not that she does not want her

father there. I ask whether Jack knows, and she nods and takes out the event

notice. Chloe agrees first.

Remembering that I just promised not to avoid her anymore, I can only nod too.

I'll go too, but we need to make it clear to your dad and your teacher first

that we're coming in his place to be with you.

Lily immediately writes down both our names.

I watch her finish writing, just about to say we still need to check our

schedules, but she has already tucked the notifice back into her backpack.

I go back to the bar and retrieve my bag.

Sure enough, my keys are inside.

I see missed calls from my parents on my phone. The moment I step outside, I call

them back.

Things are starting to get back on track.

Your father just confirmed it. The company is okay for now. Leaning against

the doorframe, I finally let out the breath I have been holding.

Chloe really did what she promised last night. That's good. Try not to contact

me so much from now on. I don't want you getting dragged into trouble because of

me again. The other end goes quiet for a moment. Then my father takes the phone.

You're my daughter. You don't get to erase that whenever something happens.

Stop trying to decide for us that we should cut ties with you.

I tighten my grip on my phone, unable to answer for a long time.

Before I woke up in this novel, I had never known what it felt like to have

parents protect me like this. And now I am still making them worry about me. I

know. I won't say that again.

Get some rest.

After I hang up, I open my chat with Chloe. I want to thank her, but then I

remember that she told me not to keep avoiding her last night. I still do not

know what she intends to do with me now that she has made me stay, but I have my

keys back and the company is safe for now. It would make no sense to run away

again. When I reach the apartment building, I close the Ridesay app, go

upstairs, and stops outside my own door.

I slide the key into the lock.

Footsteps sound next door.

I tighten my grip on the key and do not turn around to leave again.

Chloe, it's time to settle this once and for all.