Chapter 3

　　In the end, Laurel became his model.

　　Laurel was already a somewhat famous online beauty, and once the news broke, it caused quite a stir online.

　　"Wow, my favorite painter is collaborating with my favorite beauty blogger!"

　　"So, the painter who can’t draw people broke his own rule because of Alice, the beauty? Let’s go ship them."

　　I was scrolling through the comments while talking to my aunt on the phone.

　　She was excited on the other end of the line.

　　"My little AIice, finally, you’re seeing the truth! I told you men can’t be relied on."

　　"Laurel, I bought a plane ticket for next week."

　　"Great, I’ll wait for you in the U.S."

　　After hanging up, my mind went blank again.

　　After my father passed away, my aunt had wanted to take me to the U.S.

　　But at that time, I had met Ted.

　　For him, I had turned down my aunt’s invitation.

　　Now that I had seen Ted for what he was, there was no reason for me to stay by his side anymore.

　　The next few days were spent handling my paperwork and packing my belongings.

　　The house was already quite empty.

　　But Ted hadn’t noticed.

　　He was always in the studio with Laurel.

　　On the day before I was leaving, I received a message from Ted.

　　"Go buy me some grass-flavored ice cream from the south of the city. I want to eat it."

　　I frowned.

　　The tone didn’t sound like Ted.

　　It sounded like Laurel.

　　And the south of the city was very far away. Even if I drove, it would take two or three hours.

　　And it was still pouring rain.

　　I didn’t want to respond, but the next day, another message came through.

　　"Go now, or I’ll throw away the starry sky necklace."

　　Along with a selfie of her wearing the necklace.

　　My pupils tightened.

　　The starry sky necklace was a keepsake my mother had left me.

　　Even when I sold my kidney to treat Ted, I couldn’t bear to part with the necklace.

　　How could Laurel have it now?

　　I didn’t have time to think much. I quickly searched for it.

　　Finally, in the corner of the closet, I found a box that had been opened and was now empty.

　　At that moment, my mind went blank.

　　Tears fell uncontrollably.

　　In the next moment, I grabbed the keys, ran to the garage in the rain, and drove straight to Ted’s studio.

　　I opened the door to the studio with a loud noise, but the two of them, laughing inside, didn’t notice.

　　Ted was painting on Laurel’s face.

　　Laurel gave him a playful wink.

　　Outside, the wind howled, and the rain poured down. The atmosphere inside was filled with an ambiguous tension that raised the temperature.

　　I shivered from the cold rain.

　　My face was wet, and I couldn’t tell if it was rain or tears.

　　"Laurel, give me back my starry sky necklace!"

　　Hearing my voice, they finally noticed me.

　　Ted's face flashed with panic.

　　But Laurel smiled brightly.

　　She jumped off the sofa, acting like a spoiled princess.

　　"Where’s my ice cream?"

　　"Give me back my necklace!" I repeated.

　　Laurel pouted in displeasure.

　　She turned to tug at Ted’s sleeve. "Didn’t you say she would listen and buy the ice cream? Did you lie to me?"

　　Ted’s expression immediately turned dark.

　　Laurel had used his phone to send me the messages.

　　Of course, he knew what was going on.

　　He looked at me with reproach. "What’s wrong with you? If you were already going out, why didn’t you just buy the ice cream on the way?"

　　I ignored him and kept looking at Laurel.

　　"Necklace."

　　Perhaps it was because I was soaking wet and looked so serious, Laurel seemed frightened.

　　She shrank her neck and hid behind Ted.

　　"Ted, she’s not as obedient as you said, is she?"

　　Ted was already very angry at this point.

　　He was mad that I wasn’t listening to him, mad that I disappointed Laurel.