Chapter 4

The bracelet sparkled, its surface adorned with minuscule diamonds.

"Look, Calliope! Isn't it lovely? Rob gifted it to me," Caitline exclaimed.

I remained silent, averting my eyes.

Caitline appeared taken aback by my lack of interest. For once, she remained quiet, allowing the class to proceed peacefully.

However, as soon as the lesson concluded, she exclaimed, "My bracelet! It's gone!"

"It's the one my boyfriend just gave me. Everyone, please help me find it!" she pleaded.

I tensed up. This had to be one of her schemes, and I knew she'd blame me any second.

As I hastily gathered my books, a golden chain fell from between the pages, landing on the floor.

Caitline snatched it up swiftly, pointing at me accusingly. "Calliope, I can't believe you'd do this! How could you take my bracelet? It's a present from my boyfriend!"

Her loud, tearful accusation drew everyone's attention, with disapproving looks directed at me.

I felt helpless to defend myself and just wanted to escape.

Then I noticed Robin nearby, his expression grim, staring at me intently.

"If you didn't want it," he said coldly, "why take it?"

I gazed at him, shocked. My voice betrayed my hurt. "You really think I'd do that?"

His silence spoke volumes.

With a stern look, he placed an elegant small bag before me, saying, "I misjudged you. Thought you were different."

Without another look, he took Caitline's hand and left, followed by curious onlookers.

I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe.

At home, I opened the bag he'd left. Inside was a gleaming silver bracelet.

Its design was nearly identical to Caitline's gift, but with fewer diamonds.

I stared at it for a moment before lowering my gaze and putting the bracelet back in its box, closing it firmly.

A wry smile crossed my face. 'He clearly doesn't care for me, so why pretend? And now he's given me the same gift as Caitline. Is this just to mock me?'

This was the first costly item Robin had ever given me. 'Is he done with his act now? Or is there more to come?'

These thoughts swirled in my mind, but I couldn't make sense of them, so I let them go.

Gazing at the ceiling, I exhaled deeply. I'd need to confront him about this eventually.

I owed him nothing.

And I certainly wouldn't let him continue to humiliate me.

Lying down, I scrolled through my phone, only to find a post about me on the university forum from that afternoon.

The comments were filled with praise for Robin, the computer science department's heartthrob, and Caitline, the Fine Arts beauty, as the perfect couple.

Only one comment mentioned me and Robin being together, but it was quickly buried under the congratulations.

I turned off my phone and shut my eyes, but the pain in my heart persisted.

These months with Robin—I couldn't deny I had feelings for him.

As I pondered this, my phone buzzed with a message from him.

[Meet me at The W Seattle this weekend. Choose an expensive gift for her as an apology.]

I stared at the text, remembering it was his birthday that weekend.

'Is this his way of ending things with me?'

I hesitated, recalling the birthday gift I had already prepared for him.

I had put so much thought into it, hoping to show him how much I cared and that he mattered to me.

Now, I didn't even want to give it to him anymore.

After days of indecision, I finally brought the gift to The W Seattle.

"I'll consider this my farewell to this foolish relationship," I told myself.