Chapter 3

Flynn had sent me a video.

The footage showed him and Laica enjoying a meal together, engrossed in conversation and laughter, seemingly oblivious to the world around them.

Those brief ten seconds were enough to shatter my heart.

[Head to bed early tonight. Don't stay up for me.]

I gazed at his message, a bitter smile forming on my lips.

In that instant, I resolved to put an end to this charade.

"To you, Miss Livia."

I was jolted back to reality by his words. Javier, the eldest Myers son, lifted his glass with genuine warmth in his eyes.

I responded with a slight smile, gently tapping my glass against his.

Not long after leaving the headmaster's office, the Myers family had extended an invitation.

I was aware that my father had orchestrated this, but my true motivation for meeting Javier stemmed from a conversation I'd accidentally overheard.

That night, Flynn's assistant had brought him back to his office in a drunken state.

I was bringing him a sobering drink when voices from inside stopped me in my tracks.

"Flynn, have you rekindled things with Laica?"

"She asked to get back together as soon as she returned, and I naturally agreed. I've been waiting for three long years."

"What about your sister? Livia?"

My heart raced, and I gripped the thermos so tightly my knuckles went pale.

"What about her? I'm done with her. Besides, I've accomplished what I set out to do—getting under the old man's skin was the whole point."

The thermos slipped from my grasp, crashing loudly to the floor.

The noise startled those inside.

I turned and ran, tears clouding my vision.

So this was the truth all along—I was merely a pawn in his vendetta against my father.

He resented his father for still loving my mother, and this was his way of hurting me.

"Miss Livia, are you okay?" Javier's worried voice brought me back to the present.

I shook my head and forced a smile. "I'm fine, just a bit fatigued."

Just as I finished speaking, my phone vibrated again.

It was Flynn.

I checked the time—it was already 10 PM. His date with Laica should have concluded by now.

[Where are you?]

Just two words, but they carried an icy threat.

I ignored the message and continued listening to Javier recount his experiences abroad.

One call after another came in, and I declined each one.

"I need to use the restroom," I told Javier before standing up.

The moment I pushed the restroom door open, a strong hand yanked me inside.

Flynn's expression was dark as he pinned me against the wall. "Having fun on your date with the Myers heir?"

He reeked of alcohol, with a faint trace of perfume—Laica's scent.

"Professor Stewart, have you had too much to drink?

"You wouldn't want to keep Miss Smith waiting." I curved my lips into a mocking smile.

"Stop acting so self-righteous!" He grabbed my throat, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Eager to find a replacement already?"

I pushed him away with all my might. "What right do you have to question me?

"We were never more than a brief fling." As soon as the words left my mouth, a sharp slap landed on my cheek.

Pain erupted, intense and burning.

"Care to repeat that?" His eyes blazed with fury.

"I said, we were nothing but mutual convenience. You know it better than anyone. I was just your tool for revenge against your father."

His expression changed, darkening and contorting until he finally let out a cold laugh. "Since you're so clear about it, I won't bother explaining. But remember this, Livia—until I say so, don't even think about marrying someone else."

With that, he let go of me and stormed off, leaving me to slide down the wall, silent tears streaming down my face.