Seven Years of Mismeasured Love

My step-brother twisted my love confession for his best friend, Elliott, branding me a manipulative social climber. For seven years, a glowing "Disgust Meter" above Elliott' s head confirmed his hatred, forcing me to flee New York.

When I returned, I woke up in his apartment to a shocking truth. He confessed the meter was a malfunctioning "Pure Love System"-the rising numbers had always been a measure of his love, not his disgust.

But just as hope bloomed, my step-brother sent me a screenshot from a group chat: "Elliott's Marriage Bet."